On Cloud 9
SEAN HAS ANNIVERSARY WALTZ
SEAN DYCHE enjoyed a dazzling anniversary waltz as The Clarets celebrated his nine years at the Turf Moor helm with a stunning first victory of the season.
Talk about getting the party started. The home side were in the mood with their vibrant, sure-footed football right from the kick-off and were 3-0 up at half-time – the first time in the Premier League they had enjoyed such a lead at the interval.
Maybe it was the flood of good wishes for the Burnley boss from former players like Kieron Trippier and Tom Heaton, which had flashed up on the impressive new scoreboard before the game, which helped galvanise his current charges.
Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “What went wrong in the first half? Everything.
“I think it was written in the stars for Sean’s ninth anniversary. We never looked like ruining the party. We will stay calm and see how we can be better.”
For Brentford the big-time honeymoon is over as they crashed to their first away defeat of the season – but a third successive reverse proving once again just how demanding this league is.
With less than four minutes gone Matt Lowton’s caressed through ball was not cut out by Ethan Pinnock’s outstretched leg and Chris Wood pounced with a stunning half-volley finish.
Then new boy Maxwel Cornet proved once again that the £12.8million handed over to Lyon could prove to be one of the bargains of the season.
The Ivory Coast international gave a regal bow to the Burnley fans after a thunderbolt finish with his weaker left foot from Dwight McNeil’s cross made it 3-0 in the 36th minute – his fourth goal in five games.
Four minutes earlier Cornet had set up Charlie Taylor for a deep ball into the box which was confidently headed home by the adventurous Lowton.
Dyche said: “The game has changed so much and I feel lucky to have the backing of the boards, both old and new, that I am still here.
“I had a glass of wine and a bit of dinner with some of my staff on Friday night but there was no drama. I’m just delighted with the win.”
Brentford upped the tempo in the second half, no doubt after a rocket from Frank. But by then the damage had been done and Burnley were out of the dreaded bottom three on goal difference.
A spectacular volley from substitute Saman Ghoddos 12 minutes from time finally stirred the Brentford fans.
It made it for a nervy few minutes for a home side whose last league success here had been in January, these three points ending a 14-game club record drought.
So last night it was drinks all round in the Royal Dyche, the pub just down the road renamed in the Burnley manager’s honour.