Burnley recorded their first Premier League victory of the season with a 2-0 win over fellow promoted side Sunderland at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.
The opening 45 minutes did see the ball hit the net once when Lyle Foster clinically converted, but the goal was quickly ruled out for a foul on Jenson Seelt, and that was the only real moment of final-third quality in a goalless first half that produced just one shot on target between the two teams.
The first half's missing quality was immediately found in the second as Jaidon Anthony skilfully found Cullen, with the new Burnley captain curling the hosts into the lead just over a minute after the restart.
Sunderland did control the proceedings for the remainder of the match, but the Black Cats were unable to breach Burnley's formidable defence, and the hosts eventually sealed their victory in the final minutes of the game as Anthony rounded the keeper and slotted into the net, securing Burnley's first three points of the campaign.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
After conceding three goals on the opening day against Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley were back to their defensive best from last season today, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over fellow promoted side Sunderland.
The Clarets limited Sunderland to just 0.70 expected goals (xG) from nine shots, and while they created only 0.96xG of their own, two fantastic finishes from Cullen and Anthony ensured they secured all three points.
Burnley's victory mean all three newly-promoted sides have already won a match in the Premier League - something that took until November last campaign.
BURNLEY VS. SUNDERLAND HIGHLIGHTS
47th min: Burnley 1-0 Sunderland (Josh Cullen)
Josh Cullen celebrates for Burnley on August 23, 2025
Burnley find the breakthrough - it is their new captain Cullen with the opener!
Quilindschy Hartman fires a ball from the wing into Jaidon Anthony inside the box, and the winger brilliantly flicks a pass to Cullen on the edge of the area.
Cullen brings the ball under control, opens his body up and passes the ball perfectly into the bottom right corner - a wonderfully measured finish to give the hosts the lead.
88th min: Burnley 2-0 Sunderland (Jaidon Anthony)
Anthony has surely sealed the victory for Burnley!
Burnley look to break forward with the ball played into the middle of the park to Cullen, who plays a fantastic first-time pass behind the Sunderland defence for Anthony to chase.
Anthony races away from the Sunderland defence, rounds the goalkeeper and finds the roof of the net with a left-footed effort - doubling Burnley's lead and surely winning the game.
Josh Cullen of Burnley on August 23, 2025
In a game that largely lacked any real quality in the final third, Burnley's newly appointed captain Cullen stepped up with a sublime finish to give the Clarets the opener, while his pinpoint pass assisted Anthony for their second.
Anthony also could have been given this award, as the winger assisted Cullen's first before expertly dispatching the second, with the pair were certainly the standout players from today's encounter.
BURNLEY VS. SUNDERLAND MATCH STATS
Possession: Burnley 43%-57% Sunderland
Shots: Burnley 7-9 Sunderland
Shots on target: Burnley 2-1 Sunderland
Corners: Burnley 4-3 Sunderland
Fouls: Burnley 9-5 Sunderland
BEST STATS
First win of the season for Burnley ?
All three promoted sides have a win already ?
Last season it took until November for that to happen ? pic.twitter.com/dWxY4Hx2ej
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 23, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Burnley's attention will now briefly turn to their EFL Cup clash with Derby County, before Premier League action continues with a challenging trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Sunderland will take on Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup, followed by a return to the Stadium of Light as they face Brentford on matchday three.
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