Austin Powers Clarets to Posh Win!

Burnley in the end easily disposed of bottom club Peterborough 5-2 at home on Saturday. After taking an early lead following a McCann goal in the 7th minute, the score could easily have been 3-0 had the Clarets taken their chances in the first 20 minutes. Instead against the run of play Posh suddenly found they were leading 2-1 after 23 minutes following a couple of goals during a three minute spell. The first being a penalty that briefly seemed to lift Darren Ferguson`s men. The home crowd were now subdued and disheartened and this was certainly a bleak period after such a bright start. The gate at Turf Moor has been dwindling in recent times and this match was no different with the attendance being below 11,000 for the first time in a long time for a Championship clash. The thought of being 2-1 down to a club that had not won a game so far in the Championship this season was disheartening knowing that we now also faced two hard games away after this one.

We need not have worried! With six minutes of the first half remaining we got back on level terms when Charlie Austin latched on to a pass from McCann to power home with a angled shot that was helped over the line by Bostwick. Was it an Austin goal or as some media reports state an own goal? Austin went onto score two more goals in the second half so the answer to that question could take away Austin`s claim to a hat-trick. The Official Site say it was an Austin goal and that will be good enough for most Clarets fans and certainly this one!

2-2 at half time but in the second half Burnley to be honest dominated despite Posh in the end being credited with slightly more possession. We have already mentioned the two further Austin goals to make it 4-2. These were scored after 74 and 81 minutes but in the 86th minute Burnley completed the rout when Stanislas popped up to score his first goal at Turf Moor. Three goals then in an hectic twelve minute spell that restored so much confidence and sent all Burnley fans home happy.

If ever Burnley needed a win it was this one. The Clarets after four league games had dropped into the relegation places on the back of three successive Championship defeats but this win lifts the club to fifteen spot remarkably just three points behind 6th placed club, Nottingham Forest. It just shows how tight things are in the Championship. Apart from Posh who remain in bottom place with no points at all after five games, only six points separate 23rd placed Ipswich and current Championship leader, Blackburn (spit!) so these are certainly early days. If we can pick up points at both Leicester and Derby over the next week all the doom and gloom may well evaporate and boy do we need the happiness to continue.

Full Match Report

Many Clarets fans were wondering if Eddie Howe would change the line-up and tactics against Posh after the disappointing previous three Championship games in which we failed to pick up a single point and to be honest played somewhat depressing football. In the end, there was no radical change to the side that finished up playing in the second-half against Brighton before the International break. Howe certainly ditched the idea of playing one up front after trying that tactic in the first half against the Seagulls and failing miserably before reverting back to 4-4-2 in the second. Austin and Paterson would start against Posh and the only other real change was in the back four with Michael Duff replacing David Edgar in the centre of defence. Edgar, just back from International duty across the pond for Canada was deemed too jaded to start allowing Duff to make his first league start this season. Wallace too was back in the starting line up and in summary the eighteen was as follows:

Grant, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mills, McCann, Wallace, Marney, Stanislas, Paterson, Austin (Stock)

Subs : Jensen, Edgar, Mee, Bartley, Stock, Stewart, Vokes

Premier League qualified referee, Mike Dean got the game underway and Burnley certainly looked the more livelier in the opening first few minutes. With just two minutes gone, Austin let rip with a shot that hit the woodwork after picking up Paterson`s pass and thumping the ball against the crossbar. Burnley were now creating chance-after-chance and in the seventh minute the pressure counted when McCann opened the scoring for the Clarets. A superb cross from Mills found McCann ideally placed at the far post and the Irishman headed home to make it 1-0 Burnley. Posh were now on the rack and the next fifteen minute spell could easily have seen the Clarets triple their lead! McCann nearly got a brace, Paterson had two attempts, Austin one and Marney also came close but the score stubbornly remained 1-0 after a hectic 20 minute spell. Burnley should have taken those chances because in the next three minute spell, Peterborough would somehow find they would be leading 2-1.

Burnley`s defence has looked somewhat shaky in recent games and suddenly that poor form would return to haunt the team. Posh had already had a couple of chances in the opening first five minutes but Grant had twice saved well but all the excellent work by Burnley at the other end upfront would now be undone by some sloppy defending. Michael Duff handed the first goal for Posh on a plate after bringing down Mendez-Laing in the area allowing Tomlin to score from the penalty spot. Peterborough could hardly believe their luck though when three minutes later they got their noses in front. This time both Shackell and Trippier can share the blame for allowing the dangerous Mendez-Laing to power past them and unleash a shot that gave Grant no chance.

You could now hear a pin drop once the Posh celebrations had died down. The disbelief and worry amongst Burnley fans was now so evident nobody had any heart to sing or shout.

Burnley though at least still looked up for the challenge and their heads did not drop which was encouraging. The game was now being played at a hectic pace with both sides creating chances. Paterson came close with a header and Mills then saved the day for the Clarets with an excellent goalline block to deny the ever-threatening, Mendez-Laing. Clarets fans hearts and hopes were lifted though when with six minutes to go in the first half, Burnley equalised at just the right time. McCann this time acted as provider setting up Austin with a sweet pass. The Posh defence had no answer to Austin`s pace and charging forward, the former Swindon striker let rip with a shot that angled past the keeper only to be helped over the line after a desperate lunge by Bostwick. Austin will certainly be claiming that one despite a hint of an own goal! 2-2 then and amazingly Burnley nearly went into half-time ahead following a tremendous long-distance effort by Trippier in the 45th minute. The ball looked to be heading for the top corner before the Posh keeper flew in the air to somehow save the shot.

Burnley`s equalising goal probably ensured all the same players would start the second half now and so they did. Once again the hectic pace continued with both sides creating chances to get their noses in front. Burnley though had their first chance within two minutes of the re-start. Austin latched onto another good Mills cross diving at the far post only to head just wide. Austin then nearly set-up Paterson after charging down a clearance by Posh defender, Shaun Brisley. Pato ran towards goal before being thwarted by the keeper`s outstretched leg.

Peterborough though too were looking dangerous occasionally especially on the break and Grant had to be alert to deny McCann. His shot looked threatening until Grant pounced on the ball with Barnett close on hand looking to take advantage of any keeping errors. In another Posh attack, Mills got caught out in defence and if Barnett hadn`t fluffed his chance to set-up Mendez-Laing, Peterborough could easily have been ahead again.

The tide was about to turn though when with fifteen minutes to go the stalemate was finally broken in favour of the Clarets. The impressive McCann continued the good work, again setting up Austin after this time driving forward on a charge before passing inside to find the in-form confident striker. Austin steadied himself to shoot from twelve yards out and then thumped the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 3-2.

That took the stuffing out of Posh and seven minutes later it was game over for them when Burnley increased their lead to make it 4-2 from the spot. Austin had been clattered by the keeper who picked up a yellow card for his misjudgement and nobody was going to stop Austin on a hat-trick taking the penalty himself. He duly slotted home sending the home crowd wild. The Clarets were now roasting the Posh defence with some fine attacking moves and with four minutes to go one of those moves made it 5-2! Substitute Cameron Stewart had just been denied his first Burnley goal after the keeper got his outstretched hand on the ball to save the danger. Junior Stanislas though was there to pounce and he did so in style guiding the ball over the line to make it a perfect day for the Clarets

Match Stats

Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mills, McCann, Wallace (Stewart – 63), Marney, Stanislas, Paterson (Vokes – 62), Austin (Stock – 87)

Subs Not Used: Jensen, Edgar, Mee, Bartley

Goals: McCann 7, Austin 39, 74, 81 (pen) Stanislas 86

Booked: Yellow Card for Mills

Peterborough United: Olejnik, Alcock, Brisley (Zakuani – 59), Little (Ferdinand – 84), Bostwick, McCann, Frecklington, Mendez-Laing, Tomlin, Barnett, Boyd (Sinclair – 69)

Subs Not Used: Day, Newell, Knight-Percival, Clarke-Harris

Goals: Tomlin 20(pen), Mendez-Laing 23

Booked: Yellow Card for Olejnik

Possession: Burnley 48%, Peterborough 52 %(Source: BBC Sport)

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral)