It’s not gone unnoticed among Sunderland fans that, with six games still left to play, they’ve now exceeded a 24-point gap to Burnley in the Premier League table.
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Scott Parker makes blunt Burnley relegation admission after latest defeat](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/scott-parker-makes-blunt-burnley-relegation-admission-after-latest-defeat-6571432 "Scott Parker makes blunt Burnley relegation admission after latest defeat")
Following the Black Cats’ 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday, coupled with Burnley’s 2-0 defeat to Brighton the day before, Regis Le Bris’ side now have 26 more points to their name – an impressive 46-point haul compared to the Clarets’ measly 20.
And yet, it was only 12 months ago Scott Parker’s side were putting the finishing touches to an incredible 100-point campaign in the Championship.
While it wasn’t enough to seal the title, with that accomplishment going to Leeds United on the final day via goal difference, it made sure of second spot and automatic promotion.
After Sunderland pipped both Coventry City and Sheffield United in the play-offs to join Burnley and Leeds in the top flight, much was made of how the top two had finished 24 points ahead of the Wembley winners.
How would they bridge the gap to Burnley and Leeds, never mind the rest of the top flight, many of us pondered? How much money would they have to spend just to avoid 20th place?
In fairness, given the recent form of newly-promoted sides at the top table of English football, they weren’t entirely unfair questions to ask. Prior to this season, all six of them had suffered instant relegations over the past two campaigns.
Sunderland and Leeds, inset, have been everything that Scott Parker's Burnley have not this season. Pictures: Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Sunderland and Leeds, inset, have been everything that Scott Parker's Burnley have not this season. Pictures: Getty Images
Burnley were one of them, of course, going down under Vincent Kompany with just 24 points to their name. With a third straight relegation from this level now an inevitability, it could be confirmed as early as next week, perhaps the only objective remaining is for Parker to at least match that tally, if not exceed it.
Sunderland, however, have no such concerns. After a bold and brave summer recruitment process, albeit aided by more PSR wriggle room, the Wearside outfit have gone above and beyond this season.
While Burnley’s signing of Kyle Walker, an experienced head that’s played at the top level, hasn’t had the desired effect, Sunderland’s acquisition of Granit Xhaka certainly has.
But reliable goalkeeper Robin Roefs, modern centre-back Nordi Mukiele, the exciting Noah Sadiki and powerhouse striker Brian Brobbey also sum up their dynamic, imaginative summer business.
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But it’s not just Sunderland that have put Burnley to shame. You could easily put their success down to a perfect storm, taking full advantage of the momentum created by that play-off chaos. Perhaps it’s just been a one-off, an outlier.
But Leeds also provide another perfect comparison. The two sides went toe to toe last season and, as mentioned, were only split by goal difference in the final seconds of the campaign.
And yet, Daniel Farke’s side look well at home in the top flight, while Burnley – the first 10 games aside – have offered very little.
Survival hasn’t been achieved yet for the Whites, but with a six-point gap to Spurs – and with bottom side Wolves next up and Burnley still to play at Elland Road – you’d have to fancy their chances.
But regardless, you only had to watch their fantastic 2-1 win at Manchester United last night to see the stark difference between the two sides.
Where Burnley have been stodgy, dreary, defensively frail and too often have looked like they’re going through the motions, Leeds were full of energy, intensity and were desperate to get on the front foot and take the game to their rivals.
How often, at all, have we seen the Clarets press from the front and play with urgency this season?
Yet if you watched the game, you will have noticed Leeds still lacked quality. Too often their decision-making let them down at the key moment in the final third, otherwise they could have scored four or five.
But a lack of quality can be excused when you’re coming up from the Championship, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. They were relentless, fierce and brave. Everything Burnley are not.
Despite being hopeful, Burnley fans never expected their team to stay up. They know what the Premier League is all about, they’ve lived the experience before and have the T-shirt.
But there’s ways and means of going down. If it’s done screaming and shouting and with all of your might, but the quality was just found wanting, you’ll be forgiven. But if you do it meekly and without as much of a whimper, the fans won’t forget it.
Burnley very rarely attract mainstream attention, but this season they’ve largely been treated as an irrelevance to the Premier League. Kelly Cates admitted as much on Match of the Day on Saturday night, remarking: “we know Burnley are going down, so we don’t need to talk about them”.
Harsh, perhaps, but the Clarets only have themselves to blame.
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