Clarets fans were entertained both on and off the pitch in the opening game of the season last Saturday against WBA at Turf Moor.
The day was made even sweeter by a comeback from 1-0 down to win 2-1 whilst providing some really attractive and entertaining football especially in the second half.
Steve Cotterill`s delight at beating one of the favourites for promotion this season was plain for all to see. Speaking about the result he is quoted as saying on the Official Burnley FC site:
‘I am absolutely delighted. They (Albion) will still be there or the about as at the end of the season, so it’s a big, big win for us.
‘I thought it was a real carnival atmosphere today and all in all it was a good game.
‘We always thought we would have to score two goals against West Brom because it’s very difficult to keep a clean sheet against them.
‘It took us a little while to get to grips with it, but the longer the game went on I though we were excellent, not only matching them up but going on to win the game.
‘At half time that took a lot of doing, so all credit to the players. They were immense.’
There was also praise from the manager for new keeper Gabor Kiraly
‘Then Gabor’s save in the 91st minute was absolutely first class. And the way he took the ball in the corner of the area takes so much pressure off your players.
The Clarets got the winner from the penalty spot after a handball incident in which the referee seemed to take some time to resolve and award despite the keenness to do so by the linesman (they will always be linesmen to me not flipping assistant referees!)
The gaffer however had no doubts and gave praise to Akinbiyi:
‘I thought it was a nailed-on penalty.
‘Ade caused them no end of problems. Sometimes when a team is squeezing you up you need power and pace and time and time again he got in behind them.
‘Once you have that threat, teams are very wary of squeezing up and that gives your midfielders more time on the ball’
The one downer of the match was seeing captain, Caldwell hobble off in the first half. Caldwell it was revealed by Steve Cotterill had tweaked his hamstring and would be assessed before the Grimsby cup match on Tuesday night this week.
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