Howe takes hat off to top scorer Austin (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Howe takes hat off to top scorer Austin

8:30pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in Football

BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe felt Charlie Austin had done enough to earn a hat-trick in a deserved win for his side.

There was debate about whether the Clarets' top scorer should be granted the matchball after their second goal – the first of Austin's three – was turned in by Peterborough United defender Michael Bostwick.

But Howe said as far as Austin was concerned, the goal was his.

"I've been signing the match ball in the dressing room, so that tells you what Charlie thinks,” said the Clarets boss.

"Those goals are the hallmark of him and we have to try and give it (hat-trick) to him.

"He deserves it because he shows in training all the time what a great finisher he is."

Of the 5-2 win over Posh, which pushed Burnley up to 15th in the Championship after they came back from behind to end a run of three straight league defeats, Howe added: "It was a crazy game, a really open game and both sides will probably think they could have scored more on the day.

"From our point of view, we created enough chances to win three games, but somehow we found ourselves 2-1 down after being the dominant side.

"We were scratching our heads and it was a real test for the players.

"As I've said when we've lost though, there are fine margins and in the end we are pleased to come from behind and get the five goals, although defensively we know we have things to work on.

"I say this all the time, but we don't get carried away, win or lose. We have had a tough couple of weeks and faced a lot of criticism but even when you win you look at things you need to work on.

"We weren't as solid defensively as we want to be and that's not just the back four, it's midfielders letting runners go too.

"So there's plenty to work on.”

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