BURNLEY'S bright start to the Premier League campaign has helped to relax the players, according to boss Sean Dyche.

The weekend's stalemate with Huddersfield made it nine points from six games for the Clarets, who will look to extend their unbeaten away run at Goodison Park on Saturday against Everton.

Dyche has hailed the competitive edge within his squad as being key to Burnley's early season form, which has yielded victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace as well as draws away at Tottenham and Liverpool.

And getting points on the board early can help the Clarets, Dyche believes, as they shrug off any fears over collecting points early in the season and play with freedom, something they have done on the road since that opening day success at Stamford Bridge.

"You want to be competitive in every game, we’ve overachieved on the outside looking in, but when you get that competitive edge and spirit you’ve got a chance of winning," Dyche said of the start to the season.

"It’s been a really solid start, there’s been some good performances and some we’ve had to tough it out but we know we’ll have to do that anyway over a season.

"There’s still more things to work on, but the benefit of getting the points on the board is it relaxes everyone, the players believe slightly more.

"When you’re confident you feel free to go and play, you don’t over think anything.

"That tightness that comes if you’re not winning or performing can affect that, but when you’re confident you play your best, you still need that sharp edge and bit of nervous tension."

Burnley's only defeat in the league so far this season was a 1-0 reverse to West Brom at Turf Moor in what Dyche believes happened to be one of the better performances of the campaign.

The Clarets have shown a different side to their game in chalking up that resilient win over Palace and the points at Wembley and Anfield.

Dyche has taken enjoyment so far from some of his teams performances and is also relishing seeing some of his players develop, with Nick Pope and James Tarkowski in particular snatching the opportunities they have been handed with both hands this season.

"As a manager you’re judged on winning, or not winning," Dyche said. "But there is enjoyment in how the team performs, I thought we performed very well against West Brom but got nothing, against Palace we had to fight very hard, didn’t play as well, but other sides of our game got us a win.

"Over a season different things please you and beyond that the development of the player is important, that’s a big thing for me, I want players to be coming in and improving and grow with the club.

"That’s a big thing for me as a manager and the way I want my staff to work. If you get the best out of players collectively and individually you’ve got a chance of being successful."