Second-half goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony gave the Clarets their first points back in the Premier League
Scott Parker and Kyle Walker celebrate Burnley’s first win of the seasonopen image in gallery
Scott Parker and Kyle Walker celebrate Burnley’s first win of the season (Action Images via Reuters)
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Burnley got their Premier League campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Turf Moor.
Second-half goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony gave the Clarets their first points back in the big time and edge the battle of the promoted teams.
Cullen slotted home just 98 seconds after the restart and Anthony bagged a breakaway goal in the final five minutes.
Burnley finished 24 points ahead of Sunderland in the Championship last season but the margin between the two teams looks set to be much closer this time around, so this could be a big win.
Boss Scott Parker celebrated his first Premier League win in almost three years and will be pleased his side were able to get on the board so early as they look to avoid an instant return to the second tier.
Sunderland were brought back down to earth after a memorable Premier League return last weekend against West Ham and they could see this as a missed opportunity after wasting some early chances.
They had looked to pick up where they left off against the Hammers and should have scored inside four minutes as Dan Ballard’s header from a set-piece was perfect for Reinildo Mandava to turn in at the far post but he shot straight at a grateful Martin Dubravka.
Jaidon Anthony’s late strike ensured the three points for Burnley (Nick Potts/PA)open image in gallery
Jaidon Anthony’s late strike ensured the three points for Burnley (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
The visitors had another good chance when Chemsdine Talbi was played in by Simon Adingra but he clipped wide.
It was Burnley who had the ball in the back of the net in the 19th minute when Lyle Foster crashed home but the celebrations were short-lived after referee Michael Salisbury adjudged the striker to have fouled Jenson Seelt.
Goalmouth action dried up significantly for the rest of the first half but Burnley did take the lead just 98 seconds after the restart.
Anthony’s clever flick opened things up for Cullen and he stroked a 16-yard effort into the bottom corner.
open image in gallery
(Action Images via Reuters)
Cullen’s effort lit up Turf Moor but it was another light show shortly after which disrupted play as the floodlights began flashing in random patterns, causing a four-minute delay.
Sunderland threw bodies forward in an attempt to get something out of the game but they failed to test Dubravka.
And it left them exposed as Burnley killed the game in the 88th minute, with Anthony racing clear from Cullen’s brilliant through ball, rounding Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs and slamming into an empty net.
It was almost three as Loum Tchaouna grazed the post with a late effort, but Burnley’s work was done.