Dons make it tough for Dyche
SEAN DYCHE knew how big a task a Europa League campaign was going to place on his Burnley squad.
But he was hoping for an easier first hurdle than Aberdeen presented.
The Scots showed their quality in the first leg draw at Pittodrie and put up a terrific battle to force the Clarets into extra-time last night.
Chris Wood’s sixth-minute goal gave Burnley the early control but Derek McInnes’ men hit back before half-time with a superb overhead kick equaliser from Lewis Ferguson.
It sparked a terrific battle of Britain clash which needed another 30 minutes to settle it.
And Burnley’s struggle to build on their early lead will only serve to strengthen Dyche’s bid to bring striker Jay Rodriguez back to the club from West Brom and confirm the purchase of Sam Clucas from Swansea.
Sam Vokes’ late equaliser in the first leg meant that, at the very least, the Dons needed to score to stay in the competition.
And doing that against Dyche’s wellorganised team is not an easy task, as tickets available to ensure a cracking atmosphere for Turf Moor’s first European game for 51 years.
The last was in the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt in 1967.
Aberdeen were barely able to get out of their own half in the early stages as Burnley dominated.
It was against the run of play when they drew level after 27 minutes with a superb goal by summer signing Ferguson.
Gary Mackay-Steven crossed from the left and Wood, back helping his defence, went from hero to zero for Burnley by misdirecting his headed clearance across the penalty area.
That was all the invitation Ferguson needed to launch himself into an acrobatic overhead kick to send the ball into the top corner.
Dyche sent on Ashley Barnes for Wood at the break and, as they had in the first half, Burnley piled on the pressure looking for the winner.
Burnley thought they had clinched it when Matt Lowton sent over a cross from the right and Vokes sent a powerful header towards the top corner only for Lewis to tip the ball onto the bar.