Sunday People

Clarets’ lead blown away by a Gayle force

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28th-minute cross that Trippier did well to divert out of the reach of Palace debutant Yaya Sanogo – only for Gayle to collect and rifle in.

Three minutes after the restart and Puncheon struck. Using the posse of defenders to unsight goalkeeper Tom Heaton, he ran across the fringe of the area and bobbled his shot inside the post.

With sleet blowing across the ground, both teams continued to press for a winner.

Burnley thought they had claimed it but defender Michael Keane’s effort was blocked on the line by James McArthur.

And they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory shortly after Eagles sub Glenn Murray crashed an improvised volley off an upright.

This time, Puncheon looked up from the right and arrowed a 50-yard pass to Gayle, who angled his shot back across Heaton to complete the heist.

“He is very uncomplica­ted: quick, good in the air, two-footed. There’s not much more you want really,” purred Pardew.

Burnley’s legs looked heavy after eight league games in which they fielded an unchanged XI.

“You can be one per cent off your performanc­e levels in the Premier League and you are not guaranteed anything,” said Clarets boss Dyche.

“We were just off, and just off is too far for us. But most people thought we’d need snookers by now.

“We are still in there, in good shape, just disappoint­ed.” Always a threat when he had the ball, his eye for goal got Palace level and delivered the killer ball for Gayle’s winner. Gave his side it all to do when caught in possession for Burnley’s second – but his teammates got him off the hook.

 ??  ?? RIGHT NOISES: Gayle shows his delight after netting the winner
RIGHT NOISES: Gayle shows his delight after netting the winner
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