BURNLEY strengthened their grip on seventh spot with a 2-1 win over Leicester City - their fifth Premier League victory on the spin - and might now start looking to sixth after closing the Arsenal to two points, until tomorrow at least.

The Clarets made a breathtaking start to the game, finding themselves 2-0 inside the opening nine minutes.

But they were made to hang on for the last 20 minutes after Jamie Vardy pulled a goal back for the Foxes.

Chris Wood scored Burnley's first in the sixth minute, to hit double figures for the campaign.

A good midfield run by Jack Cork found Ashley Barnes, who in turn picked out strike partner Wood in the box. The New Zealand international's initial shot was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but Wood was alive to the rebound and fired into the empty net.

That was Wood's 10th goal of the season. Kevin Long scored his first to double the Clarets' advantage three minutes later.

Leicester had chances in the first half, notably a hat-trick of headers - two from Vardy and one from Riyad Mahrez - but Nick Pope was a match for them, under the watch of England manager Gareth Southgate once more.

Burnley were not as bright after the break and openings were at a premium, and after Vardy drilled past Pope they had to ride late pressure from the Foxes to maintain their stronghold as the 'best of the rest'.

Sean Dyche's side are now just two points behind Arsenal, who play on Sunday, and with the Gunners still to play next month, who knows how much higher Burnley could go.