Burnley manager Scott Parker during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Burnley manager Scott Parker during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
SCOTT Parker tried to pick the positives out of Burnley's opening day 3-0 defeat at Spurs but acknowledged how 'ruthless' top flight football is.
On their return to the Premier League, Parker’s side trailed early on to Richarlison’s 10th minute goal, but went on to dominate long spells of the remainder of the half.
Then, just before the hour mark, the Clarets squandered two chances in a minute, and those missed opportunities proved costly, with Richarlison bagging an early contender for goal of the season with an outrageous bicycle kick moments later.
Brennan Johnson added a third soon after, to leave the Clarets - who were backed superbly by a buoyant away faithful throughout the 90 minutes - pondering what might have been.
“I thought there were plenty of positives to take, despite the defeat,” Parker told the club website.
“We started slowly, we were really under pressure, but then after they got their noses in front, I thought we really grew into the game.
“There was a real impetus about us, we played on the front foot and looked a real threat, our reaction and endeavour was superb.
“The clinical and ruthless nature of the Premier League was then there for everyone to see just before the hour. We had two massive, massive chances, where we just weren’t ruthless enough, and then they go up the other end, create a half-chance, and double their lead with a world class finish.
“They’re the fine margins - that’s this division really.”
Parker added: “I can’t fault the lads at all. They played on the front foot, showed great endeavour.
“It’ll be a massive challenge for us this year. Games like (this) won’t define us - we’ll learn, we’ll bounce back, and we’ll look forward to being back at Turf Moor next weekend.”