Dyche slates Swansea ‘cheats’ as Fer piles on pain for Clarets

BURNLEY 0 SWANSEA 1 Fer 82

THE Premier League might be changing beyond recognition but not for Burnley, not for Sean Dyche. One year away, same old topflight fallacies.

He was furious last night, make no mistake. Measured with it, but exceptionally angry. Firstly because they were not handed a penalty when Leroy Fer tugged Michael Keane’s shirt. Secondly, and more pertinently, that what he perceives as ‘cheating’ still goes unpunished.

This all followed defeat, sealed with eight minutes remaining thanks to a lightning Swansea move from substitute Jefferson Montero’s run on the left, to Fernando Llorente’s header falling at Fer’s feet. Of all people.

The points were gone, with Dyche ruing the performance of Jon Moss and his assistants. ‘We didn’t get much going for us last time and we didn’t today,’ Dyche said. ‘Michael Keane’s got a header at the back stick from two yards and can’t make it because the lad has hold of his shirt.’ Then came the very direct claim that Swansea’s players were diving, one particular incident involving lively winger Mo Barrow the centre of Dyche’s protestations. ‘I try not to get my lads to fall on the floor and there were a few today which was interesting,’ he said. ‘We try to do things properly. It’s harsh when you don’t get them, particularly when the linesman has a clear view. I’ve spoken to the powers that be and said: “Are you going to bring in retrospective bans for cheating - sorry, simulation?” I don’t see that changing. I would like it to.’

Boss Francesco Guidolin, who called Barrow “honest” — is happy with a club boasting new investment.

Losing captain Ashley Williams to Everton was a blow yet tying Gylfi Sigurdsson to a new fouryear contract indicates they have the means to compete.

They certainly had to in Lancashire, Burnley forcing Lukasz Fabianski into a string of fine stops — one at the very death from Dean Marney’s vicious strike to deny the hosts a point.

Guidolin ‘did not remember’ the 55th minute penalty incident, rather pointing to Llorente’s contribution: ‘He’s a champion. Now I understand why he played for Spain and hope he can again.’