IN a season of magical memories and remarkable highs Burnley set an unwanted record for the Sean Dyche era two days before Christmas.

The Turf Moor clash with Tottenham marked the midway point of the 2017/18 season and so far it’s been an incredible one for the Clarets.

But the 3-0 defeat to a Spurs side inspired by Harry Kane was the heaviest Turf Moor reverse Burnley have suffered under Dyche. Not since defeat by the same scoreline to Millwall in March 2011 have the Clarets been so convincingly beaten on their home ground.

The defeat, which Dyche admitted he could have no complaints about, shouldn’t take the sparkle away from the Clarets’ Christmas. Over the course of 90 minutes Tottenham showed just how good they are, which in turn showed just how well Burnley have done to have gone into this game ahead of them in the table.

It also highlights what a solid team the Clarets have become under Dyche. In 120 Turf Moor fixtures since he arrived at the club this is the first time Burnley have been beaten by a margin of three goals.

There was more than a hint of controversy about the first goal - although Dyche refused to criticise Alli for diving - but after that Spurs were outstanding.

This was Burnley’s toughest afternoon of the season so far, including a visit to Manchester City, although they didn’t help themselves at times with a below-par display.

There should certainly be frustration though, aimed mostly at the archaic rules that allowed Alli and Kane to play, despite challenges most onlookers deemed worthy of red cards last weekend.

Those incidents were seen and considered dealt with by the referee, even if they were dealt with incorrectly. James Tarkowski’s elbow on Glenn Murray wasn’t spotted, so he was banned.

It took less than seven minutes for those decisions to haunt Burnley. Alli had already thundered into a late challenge with Charlie Taylor, escaping with a booking, when he tumbled over Kevin Long’s needlessly outstretched leg.

Alli was on his way down before the minimal contact arrived, but Michael Oliver pointed to the spot. Kane converted and Alli became public enemy number one.

The decision rattled the Clarets, who were fortunate to cling on to half-time. Kane rounded pope and hit the side-netting from a tight angle and fired over from 18 yards before a rapid counter saw Alli nudge the ball through to Moussa Sissoko, but he was denied twice by fine saves from Pope.

In the second half Son Heung-Min blasted over from 12 yards with only Pope to beat, but it was Kane who sealed victory.

A loose ball from Ben Mee gave possession to Sissoko who immediately released Kane and he slotted under Pope.

Kane then forced Johann Berg Gudmundsson off the ball and after Ben Davies had found Alli the midfielder put Kane back in and he fired across Pope with his left foot.

Burnley could have got a consolation. Sam Vokes had a goal harshly ruled out for impeding Hugo Lloris when he simply looked to have out jumped the Frenchman, before Lloris made a sprawling save when Serge Aurier diverted the ball towards his own goal while looking to be fouling Ashley Barnes in the process.

The goal wouldn’t come but Burnley’s half term report card still makes for impressive reading, despite a late afternoon to forget at the start of the festive season.