The Vokes on you lot! CLARETS DEFY DOUBTERS
SAM VOKES’ second-half double allowed Sean Dyche to write his name into Burnley folklore – as the first Clarets boss in 42 years to keep the club in the top flight.
The Welsh international striker showed his strength and desire five minutes from time when he capitalised on hesitation from West Brom keeper Ben Foster.
He jumped powerfully to beat Foster to Robbie Brady’s free-kick and nod in for a priceless point that made survival all but a mathematical certainty.
And that was enough to send the Turf Moor faithful into wild celebrations as they looked forward to staying in the division for the first time since the mid-seventies.
Dyche said: “It’s very difficult at this level without major finance.
“But I manage what I’m given to manage, and take great pride in the fact we all see beyond that and get on with it.
“We work hard to get what we can and we took some knocks along the way, some question marks.
“But 40 points – with two games left – for a team given absolutely zero chance, is a fair marker.”
Even opposite number Tony Pulis joined the Burnley appreciation society.
He said: “I think Burnley are smashing and Sean deserves a lot of credit for what he’s achieved. We certainly know we’ve been in a game.”
After a dull first half, the game exploded just 10 minutes into the second, with Vokes starting his goalscoring heroics.
It looked as if Burnley had won a penalty when Jake Livermore brought down Ashley Barnes in the box and the referee’s assistant flagged furiously.
But referee Mike Jones played a good advantage, Barnes crossed and Vokes swept in an impressive finish from eight yards.
Burnley’s celebrations were shortlived. Ten minutes later, Craig Dawson hit the post with a header for the Baggies and they finally got their rewards seconds after that when Salomon Rondon banged in the equaliser after good work down the left from James Mcclean.
It was West Brom’s first goal in 530 minutes of action and now they had a taste for it as they edged in front after 78 minutes through Dawson.
The defender rose well to meet a Chris Brunt corner and powered home via deflections off Barnes and the post.
Pulis now has to face Chelsea – who could be playing for the title on Friday – and hopes to pick up a first win since the Baggies’ home victory against Arsenal in March.
But at least with Rondon scoring for the first time since a mid-december hat-trick, Albion look a tougher prospect.
Pulis said: “All the players are very pleased that Salomon has scored.
“What people don’t realise is we only have two strikers at the club and one of them – Hal Robson-kanu – is injured.
“Salomon has had to carry the team at times when he could have done with a break. Everybody respects him.”
That’s 40 points for a team given zero chance... SEAN DYCHE