SEAN Dyche has played down the importance of Burnley's 2-0 win at Selhurst Park last season as the Clarets prepare to return to south London this weekend.

The success in late April ended Burnley's long wait for a first away win in 2016/17 and moved Dyche's side on to 39 points and virtual Premier League safety with three games to go.

That away day delight helped lay the foundations for the success this term, with Burnley racking up four away wins already this season, but Dyche said the impact of that win at Palace wasn't necessarily the turning point for his team.

"I don’t think you can define it like that. I think the group is different this season, I think we’ve gone up a notch on every level," the Clarets chief said.

"The biggest one is technical or tactical, technically we’re mixing the play even more than we did and more like what I want it to be.

"That mental side of it and the approach to away games has changed. Your shoulders go back a little bit and it’s that word assured that I keep using.

"I did it as a player. When you’re going into the unknown you’re not sure if you’re ready or you can deliver. But year on year the more you do that the more you get that more assured feeling.

"The group had moved forward anyway, but it’s been enhanced by the results and the good run of results."

The win against the Eagles last year was a memorable day out for the travelling supporters, who had witnessed plenty of lows away from Turf Moor during the campaign.

But while Dyche admits it was important he doesn't give it any more weight than the 10 others wins achieved that season.

"It was really important, but over a season there’s many markers," he said. "There’s talk that it’s the business end of the season but there’s been some good work done at the front end of the season already.

"We did well in their early part of last season, then we had a little challenge to it and we had that run away anyway. In that respect it was a really important game and a very good performance.

"I don’t think anyone in that stadium would have thought anything other than we deserved to win that day.

"It’s good memories of going down there but it’s a tough place. They’ve got what looks like a more settle situation now with a very experienced manager and someone who knows how his team wants to work.

"I’d be very surprised if he goes radically away from the ideas he’s had for a long time because he’s had such success with varying different teams."