BACK TO BASICS
That team selection at Selhurst Park had caused a bit of a stir before kick-off, but it turned out to be a triumph for Sean Dyche.
The line-up had an element of back to basics about it. Nine of the 11 had played in last season’s Championship winning side and it was the old guard that came up with the goods.
This felt a little like the performances we saw last season from the Clarets when through intensity and force of will they picked up victories.
The two wide players, so often maligned, were superb. They offered valuable protection against Palace’s in-form and tricky wingers, and George Boyd’s pass for Andre Gray’s goal was sublime.
And Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes linked up brilliantly. They were dominant in the air, but there was more to this performance than route one tactics.
STEPPING UP
Two of the enforced changes saw James Tarkowski in for his first Premier League start and Ashley Westwood starting for the first time in over two months. Both were outstanding.
The fact both were ready to take their chances says a lot about the way things are done at Gawthorpe. They knew the role and what was required of them.
Westwood set the tempo in a fine first half display and he more than made up for the loss of Joey Barton in midfield.
Tarkowski has had to be incredibly patient to get a chance at centre back this season, but he took it on Saturday, shrugging off getting hit on the head by a lighter to turn in an assured display that suggested he could be Michael Keane’s replacement.
AWAY DAY JOY
It’s hard to win away in the Premier League, especially when you’re a side taking your first tentative steps into the division, so when the victories do come around they have to be savoured.
This was probably Burnley’s best in their three seasons in this league and not only is it a monkey off the back, it silences the talk before next season as well.
They avoided becoming the seventh team to go through a Premier League season without winning on the road and while the players had been keen to play it down before hand, that was a relief.
The win also means the Clarets won’t carry the wait for an away win into next season. Instead they will begin it with confidence and belief on the road. It could make a big difference.
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