LARGELY on account of their scarcity this season, days like Saturday are to be enjoyed and cherished.

Whereas this time last year Burnley had already amassed 11 victories on their march to the Premier League, three-pointers have – to absolutely no-one’s surprise – proved considerably more elusive this term.

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Yet having failed to come out on top in any of their first 10 outings of this campaign, the Clarets have now won three of their last six games, garnering a highly impressive 11 points from the total of 18 on offer.

Victory over Southampton was arguably the result and performance of the season so far.

Whereas Hull City didn’t really turn up (and have been nose-diving in spectacular fashion ever since), and Burnley had to withstand a kitchen-sink-style bombardment to hold on to the points at the Britannia, against the Saints the Clarets more than held their own to run out worthy winners.

Much has been made of Southampton players “leaving the building last summer” as Sean Dyche memorably couched it in his pre-match press call.

But let’s not forget that this is still a club that shelled out nigh on £60million on player recruitment in the last transfer window, including £10million for Fraser Forster, £12million on Shane Long and £10.9million for Dusan Tadic.

Frankly, Burnley made them look run-of-the-mill.

There were terrific performances all over the park. Jason Shackell was commanding and imperious at the back.

In midfield, George Boyd got through the work of two men.

And up top, Danny Ings looked as good as he has all season, showing off some fabulous footwork at times and embarking on some devastating runs from deep.

But it was two of the side’s more unsung heroes who came to the fore on Saturday.

Tom Heaton’s superb penalty save proved the spur for the Clarets’ win.

And in Ashley Barnes, Burnley have a player, as discussed in a previous column, whose goals – although few and far between – are always highly important.

This was a victory which should go a long way to bolstering confidence in the dressing-room – and given that the Clarets’ next three opponents are Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City, that’s probably just as well.

There again, six weeks ago Sean Dyche’s men had just lost 3-0 at Arsenal, were bottom of the pile and looking all but doomed.

Back then, who would have imagined that by mid-December Burnley would be one of the division’s form teams?

It just shows quickly things can change.