SAM VOKES

The shine of Vokes’ ninth Premier League goal of the season was lost a little in what followed and Josh King’s winner for Bournemouth, but it was a fantastic header from a player who looks to be in the form of his life right now.

Two years ago Vokes was a peripheral figure for the Clarets in the top flight. He returned from the cruciate knee ligament injury that ended his Championship season early midway through the season, but spent the rest of the campaign trying to find match fitness.

He was back to his best last season. The Vokes we’d seen in the Championship in 2013/14. But this year, especially recently, he looks to have gone to another level.

There’s still a place in modern football for the target man centre forward and there’s few better around than Vokes, who has been close to unbeatable in the air in the last couple of weeks.

He also looks sharper on the deck. It’s almost like an extra yard of pace has been unlocked. Long may it least.

HOME AND AWAY

Defeat on the south coast brought an end to Burnley’s campaign away from home this season, and despite that memorable day at Crystal Palace, it’s been a tough one.

Sean Dyche has insisted he doesn’t care where the points come from this season, but he knows improvements must be made next year.

The Clarets have been brilliant at Turf Moor this year, but that may not always be the case. Teams may get a grip on the secrets of Burnley’s success there.

If that happens they will need a better return on the road that one win from 19 games.

There have been improvements as the season goes on, despite this disappointing defeat, but there are still strides to be taken in 2017/18.

WINGERS

Out wide Dyche has gone back to the old guard in recent weeks, with considerable success. George Boyd and Scott Arfield continue to prove the doubters wrong.

But it would seem a matter of time before they give way to Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who has impressed in an injury-hit first year at Turf Moor, and Robbie Brady, who is still finding his feet in the squad.

Both came on, for Boyd and Arfield, during the second half at the Vitality Stadium, and although the Clarets may lose some defensive insurance when those two do depart the stage, they usually look more of a threat when Gudmundsson and Brady enter the fray.

It was the former’s cross that set up Vokes goal on Saturday, and if they can benefit from a pre-season with the Clarets and make a step up next year it is an exciting prospect.