WE take a look at the talking points from Burnley's 2-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday.

Heaton’s return

TOM Heaton has had to show more patience than he probably knew he was capable of in the last two seasons since fully recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

But he has maintained a dignified professionalism during his 476-day absence, and it was rewarded with a return to the line-up on Sunday, and a clean sheet.

There weren’t too many more pieces of the Clarets puzzle left for Sean Dyche to change as he sought three points, but even so dropping Joe Hart was a bold move.

The former Manchester City and West Ham keeper was well below par against Everton but, barring that, he has not been the reason why Burnley have shipped so many goals this season. Indeed Hart has been responsible for keeping scorelines down in certain games, with saves of high quality.

Heaton has had to bide his time but you felt the time was right for change here.

It wasn’t just a case of him returning in goal, the team also got its captain back - two vitally important roles at any club, but especially one that has been struggling for results.

The response from the Clarets number one was instant.

And while he didn’t have a great deal to do overall, he started the move for the first goal and made an outstanding save to keep out a late Andy Carroll header.

To keep that level of concentration throughout a game in which he’d rarely been tested speaks volumes for his professionalism, not to mention determination.

Now he’s got the gloves back he won’t be surrendering them easily.

Ringing the changes

HEATON’S inclusion was one of five changes made by Dyche against West Ham.

Phil Bardsley’s return at right back was an enforced one with Matt Lowton serving a one-match suspension, but Ben Gibson was omitted from the back line as the manager reverted to a familiar 4-4-2.

Gibson can count himself unfortunate after being the best of a largely poor bunch against Everton days earlier, marking his first Premier League game for the Clarets with a goal.

But Ben Mee and James Tarkowski have had the longest defensive partnership of this squad so it made sense not to break that up.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson caught the eye on the right in taking Gibson’s place and was influential in some of Burnley’s best attacks.

Like Gibson, Sam Vokes was unlucky to make way for Chris Wood, but the Wood-Ashley Barnes combination is one that has worked well in the past and did so again on Sunday.

Last but my no means least Dwight McNeil came in on the left for Jeff Hendrick and instantly gave Burnley a new, much-needed attacking dynamic and got the goal he deserved for a fearless performance.

Hammers time

CHRIS Wood loves to score against West Ham if this season is anything to go by.

The opener on Sunday means that 36 per cent of New Zealand international’s Premier League goals have come against the Hammers, with two more this season in the reverse at the London Stadium.

And his ratio could have been higher still with some better decision making and finishing.

That has been a theme of Wood’s season so far and a reason for him being in and out of the side.

But he will look to take confidence from a good first half finish in the final game of 2018 and use it to kick on as the Clarets kick start the new year at Huddersfield Town tomorrow.