SEAN Dyche said Burnley had to 'fight for every inch' of their victory over Crystal Palace, after admitting the Eagles had been the better side at Turf Moor.

Chris Wood gave the Clarets the lead inside three minutes but they had to hang on for much of the afternoon, with Palace enjoying 65 per cent possession and taking 23 shots to Burnley's four.

But the win took Dyche's side to seven points after four games and he was happy to see his side dig in for the victory.

"Against West Brom, I thought it was arguably our best performance of the season and we got nothing, and today wasn't the case, we got the win but had to fight for every inch of it," he said.

“I thought they were very good, they played with more freedom than in recent weeks, and maybe the goal strangely helped with that.

“When you're 1-0 down you just think ‘right, let's just have a go’.

“I thought they were very strong and looked a more familiar side on paper, which I was worried about.

“I saw the teamsheet and thought it looked more like how Palace are and how they're effective.

“And they played like that, they mixed it well, put a lot in the box, for the strength of Benteke, and got it forward cleverly.

“In balance, we defended fantastically well and you earn a bit of luck now and again.

“They had a few chances but two golden chances, especially big Dann’s header at the end.”

Burnley lost Tom Heaton to a suspected dislocated shoulder in the first half, but Nick Pope made a crucial late save to deny Benteke and Dyche praised his second choice goalkeeper's performance.

“It was a brilliant save, not just because he got his foot there, but he shortened the angle to go at the ball, and he delivered a good performance," he said.

"It's tough when you go into that game, we’re not playing as well, the opposition are, and you've got to hold your nerve and he did that very well - and the two centre halves in front of him, Tarky was immense.

“Ben Mee was solid again, and we know we've got to fight for everything continually."

Palace are still yet to score or claim a point in the Premier League this season, with Frank de Boer already coming under pressure at Selhurst Park.

But Dyche had a consoling word with the Dutchman after the game.

“I don't think any manager wants sympathy, I just said ‘I thought you were the better side’," the Clarets chief said.

“I think I'm honest, I attempt to be, and they were the better side, they deserved something from the game.

“I think there's a respect among managers and try to call it right.

“In balance, we've done the jobs we needed to to see the game out, but it's fair to be honest, they generally were the better side.”