Burnley

Sin bins? Bonus points? Two goals if you score from distance?

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Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For all the optimism that the results against Leeds and Wolves delivered, Saturday's defeat at West Ham United was a blow. Especially considering how well Burnley played in the first half and the extent to which they dominated the game.

In the post-match interview, Scott Parker talked of his frustration at how easily his players switched off and how a lack of focus and discipline allowed the game to get away from us.

He didn't exactly throw his players under the bus - he is too classy for that - but it was perhaps the first time I have heard him be openly critical and call his players out for mistakes.

I welcome this, if it gets the message across in the right manner. It is signs of leadership, as opposed to just management. When you are Burnley in the Premier League you simply cannot afford to switch off for a single minute, especially when you are on top of a game and confidence is high.

That said, I'm not sure Parker is blameless either. Armando Broja was brought on ahead of Lyle Foster, which seemed questionable, as was taking Lesley Ugochukwu off. And Jaiden Anthony, a player so desperately in need of a rest, was left on for far too long.

Ultimately, it was goalkeeping errors that costs us the goals, but Martin Dubrakva gets a pass from criticism this week - he has single-handedly won us more points than he has cost us recently.

Perhaps Burnley would be wise to use the international break to work on set-pieces...

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Burnley.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Joe: West Ham might still not be the prettiest football team to watch, but it is good to see the team grind out a win. Need more of this if we have a chance in beating the drop. Tomas Soucek is so underrated, he always turns up with a goal.

Steve: Hammers started slowly as usual but Nuno Espirito Santo seems to have finally decided on the players and a system they can play in. Callum Wilson needs to get fit and Crysencio Summerville gets pushed off the ball too easily - from the stands he looks like a schoolboy playing with men. He has potential, but I'm just not sure where he can fit in other than bombing down the wing and putting in crosses, which he needs to improve his technique with. Well done all the team and Soucek again coming off the bench to score. Luckily we had a two-goal lead as Burnley scored with the last kick of the game.

Michael: Not the best performance on the pitch but all that mattered was the three points.

Adrian: There is no doubt the team are playing better now than earlier in the season. The defence still looks vulnerable but Freddie Potts has improved the midfield and Summerville looks a threat. Wilson and Jarrod Bowen worked hard. I was impressed with Burnley. They will make a fight of staying up.

Burnley fans

Graham: Excellent, confident, dominant football against a docile West Ham, but Burnley contrived to let them score more goals. Simple! Never really pressurised or consistently threatened throughout the match. Burnley just didn't have the aggression or firepower to kill off the match, and paid the price.

Pete: West Ham were there for the taking. Really disappointing substitutions that took the wind out of our sails.

Bob: Once again, we played well in part but still lost! We don't seem to quite have what it takes to dominate and get the vital wins we will need to stay up.

Jack: Definitely Scott Parker's fault. His substitution decisions were awful. To introduce Armando Broja left us with no threat for 15 minutes of the game.

Chris Wise
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

You didn't even need to listen to what Scott Parker was saying after Burnley's defeat by West Ham. His body language alone told you everything you needed to know.

The way Parker's side allowed the game to slowly slip out of their grasp will concern him. He has been in the Premier League managerial game long enough now to know that it's matches like Saturday's that can define whether your team can stay in the top flight or not.

Burnley were effective in the first half, but then lost their way. What will irritate Parker is that even in the moments when his team looked more clunky in the second half, it still didn't ever feel like they were being overrun or outplayed by West Ham.

Without the errors from Martin Dubravka, there is a really strong chance the game would have finished 1-1. It is a shame that something so costly happened to Burnley's goalkeeper as the Slovakian has largely been very solid since joining.

Parker's immense frustration was hard to mask.

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Pundits Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 2-0 Fulham

• West Ham 3-2 Burnley

• Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Burnley manager Scott Parker to BBC Match of the Day after their 3-2 defeat to West Ham: "I thought we came here today and for 30 minutes I thought we were excellent. We showed some real quality and went a goal up. After the goal we lacked focus and concentration.

The second half is exactly the same. We have real control and show some really good bits. I'm weak in my position when I say it, because at the end of the day the most important thing is it's a defeat here.

"We turned the game into exactly what West Ham wanted it to be, a basketball match. For 30 minutes we nullified them and got our nose in front, but we just fell from that.

"I'm really reluctant to say how I thought we played, we played well, but we know it doesn't matter, we lost the game, we fell short in crucial moments and in the Premier League you can't afford to do that."

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, PA Media

Scott Parker's Burnley are enjoying a much better season than their last Premier League campaign, which somehow ended in Vincent Kompany getting the Bayern Munich job.

This was a wasted opportunity to move six points clear of West Ham and the relegation zone - they did not play well enough to threaten that.

They had 16 shots to West Ham's 15 - and more possession - but many of those efforts were blocked and few felt like proper goalscoring chances.

Dutch striker Flemming did give them the lead with his third Premier League goal of the season - and he headed over a big opportunity to make it 2-1 in the second half.

Veteran goalkeeper Dubravka has been excellent for Burnley this season but his failure to deal with two balls was ultimately the difference here.

Had Cullen scored a few minutes earlier it might have set up a nervy finale - but the final whistle went seconds after a VAR check confirmed the goal.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

West Ham XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Diouf, Fernandes, Potts, Lucas Paqueta, Bowen, Wilson, Summerville. Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Igor, Luis Guilherme, Rodriguez, Magassa, Soucek, Irving, Golambeckis.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman, Cullen, Florentino, Tchaouna, Ugochukwu, Anthony, Flemming. Subs: Weiss, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Edwards, Ekdal, Lucas Pires, Broja, Mejbri, Laurent.

If they rock up and play in the manner they did when they beat Newcastle United here last week, then there is only one winner - but will we see Nuno Espirito Santo's side play with that same intensity?

I thought Freddie Potts did well on his first senior start against the Magpies, Lucas Paqueta was at his mercurial best, and Jarrod Bowen impressed me with his strong running.

But the problem here is that this is exactly the kind of game where you expect West Ham to win and they mess it up.

Burnley are awkward opponents and they have got a bit about them.

They are nothing like the open and expansive side under Vincent Kompany a few years back. There was a softness about that Clarets side, which simply isn't there any more.

So West Ham are going to have to work hard to win this - and maybe Callum Wilson holds the key. He was a nuisance last time out and it meant Bowen did not have to carry the team.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Manchester United (12:30)

• Everton v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• West Ham v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Wolves (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Fulham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham have the chance to climb out of the relegation zone as they face a Burnley side one place above them in 17th in the table on Saturday (15:00 GMT). BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before the match.

Hammers hope for repeat performance

The Hammers claimed their first home win of the season last weekend and are vying for back-to-back top-flight victories, a feat they have managed only once since David Moyes departed as manager in May 2024.

Sunday's 3-1 win against Newcastle was clearly much needed, but supporters will take heart from the performance as well as the result.

Not only did West Ham deservedly beat the Magpies, dominating in terms of expected goals and shots on target, they demonstrated rarely seen fighting spirit, refusing to let heads drop despite Jacob Murphy's fourth-minute opener for the visitors.

It was the first time the Hammers have come from behind to claim three points since May 2024, ending a winless run of 32 league matches in which they trailed.

Nuno Espirito Santo's team will hope to maintain that momentum against a Burnley side who are winless in the previous six meetings between the sides.

Can shot-shy Clarets claim another clutch win?

Burnley failed to register a shot on target in their defeat by Arsenal, and while the Gunners are the most formidable defensive unit in Europe right now, the Clarets' lack of cutting edge has been a recurring issue.

They have attempted just 74 shots in the top flight this season, comfortably the league's lowest figure.

Their average of 7.4 shots per game is also the lowest ever across a Premier League season in the 28 years that such data has been recorded.

However, Scott Parker's team have been clinical with the few opportunities they have created, with their shot conversion rate of 16.2% second only to Tottenham this term.

Crucially, they have also demonstrated a knack for claiming clutch wins against potential relegation rivals, beating both Leeds and Wolves last month.

They won at Molineux in their last away match so are seeking to win consecutive top-flight matches on the road for the first time since July 2020 – with the second game in that sequence a 1-0 victory at West Ham.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham United at London Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injury concerns to report and "everyone is fit" heading into the weekend. Hjalmar Ekdal picked up "a little black eye" in training this week but "should be fine" to feature.

• Zeki Amdouni, Connor Roberts and Jordan Beyer remain the Clarets' long-term absentees.

• The overall performance against Arsenal last time out has helped to keep morale up this week. He explained: "We started the game really well, but when they scored from the first corner that was a hammer blow for us psychologically. But the way we played in the second half was a huge positive for us and gave us a lot to believe in."

• When asked if Burnley are the underdogs heading into the match, he replied: "The reality is we're going to be called that for a large part of the season. There are certain traits that underdogs need and we've already produced them this season, so it is a match we fully believe we can get a result in."

• The players "understand the magnitude" of the fixture, with Burnley sat 17th in the table and West Ham United sat 18th, and they are going to approach it with "a large amount of confidence".

• However, the Hammers recorded their first home league win of the season last weekend so the Clarets are expecting a "tough away game" down at London Stadium.

• Parker added: "I've seen a difference since Nuno Espirito Santo's come in there. They have only played a small amount of games but they look very solid. He is very well-respected and the job he's done at other clubs has been exceptional, so I know we will be coming up against a really well-organised team."

• He is looking forward to "seeing some familiar faces", having spent "four fantastic years" playing for the Hammers between 2007 and 2011. He added: "It's a fantastic football club that not only made me feel very welcome but also made my family feel very welcome. I felt really at home there."

• International breaks are a "good opportunity to breathe and regroup a little bit" but the flipside is "the worry that the players are going away and whether they can stay fit". Parker added that he "flips in and out" of where he stands on the matter but will continue to "work around" them.

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of West Ham v Burnley at 15:00 on Saturday

And you can also listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Lancashire, with Scott Read and England C assistant manager Mick Payne (95.5 FM, DAB and online)

Image source, Getty Images

With the countdown to the Celebrity Traitors final under way, we asked you which Burnley player or manager - past or present - would make the best traitor and faithful.

Here are some of your comments:

Keith: Jimmy Adamson is my true faithful for the Clarets. A great leader who could always be relied on to keep his team working towards a win.

David: Vincent Kompany - traitor of the century. He span Burnley supporters everything they wanted to hear. He wouldn't move away from a certain way of playing when it was obvious it wasn't working, then got out out as quickly as he could. Best faithful - Sean Dyche. Even though he never got the chance to prove what he could do, he stayed for nearly 10 years. It was him who was made out to be a traitor by Alan Pace.

Stephen: Zain Flemming would be a great traitor- I've never seen anyone more competitive in a quiz!

You can watch the final of The Celebrity Traitors live from 21:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer

Image source, BBC/Studio Lambert

Challenges. Leaders and followers. Tactics. Second guessing and wondering where to turn next.

This could be any game of football in the Premier League this weekend.

It is also the plot to any episode of BBC's hit show - The Traitors.

The countdown to the end game of the Celebrity series is on, but, while we wait for that, we want to know which Burnley player (or manager) - past or present - you think would make the best traitor, and who would be more suited to the role of a faithful.

Was it the way they could appear at the back post without anyone noticing? Or could they stop anybody getting past them?

Get in touch with your choices and the reasons why here

The Celebrity Traitors final will air on Thursday, 6 November on BBC One and iPlayer

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

How much difference can a point make at this stage of the season?

Potentially, quite a lot. Particularly so for those promoted sides trying to keep themselves in the Premier League for another year.

In the past 10 seasons, clubs who have come up from the Championship have a 100% record of staying up if they have gathered 11 points or more after 10 games.

The most recent occasion that a promoted side had 11 or more points after that number of matches and was relegated was Cardiff in 2013-14. They were 12th with 12 points after 10 games but ultimately finished bottom with 30 points.

This will be music to the ears of fans of Leeds United and Sunderland, with the Whites currently sitting on that magic number and four points clear of the relegation zone, despite a heavy defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

The Black Cats, in fact, might even find themselves already looking up rather than down after their flying start to life back in the top flight.

Regis le Bris' side currently find themselves fourth, separated from Liverpool in third by just goal difference.

With 18 points, Sunderland would have to make unwanted history to find themselves back in the Championship by becoming the first team to be relegated after picking up that number of points after 10 games.

Although it was unlikely against the league leaders, fellow promoted side Burnley could have also reached the 11-point mark if they had managed to take something against Arsenal on Saturday, but defeat has left them on the edge of that with 10 points.

Chances of survival drop quite drastically for teams below the 11-point threshold, with just 20% of sides on eight to 10 points after 10 games staying up since 2015-16.

With promoted clubs having struggled to break the Premier League mould in recent campaigns, can this season's trio turn that tide? It is a promising start.

Stats and graphics provided by BBC Sport statistician Chris Collinson

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I do wonder if Arsenal's set piece roadshow has become somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It starts as a narrative in the media. Results reinforce that narrative, stats emerge and opposition managers address their preparations for dealing with it in pre-match press conferences. Arsenal get a corner, the opposition fans take a collective intake of breath, defenders get nervous... and Arsenal score.

Because they believe they can.

That felt very much the script at the weekend, with a sense of inevitability as soon as Arsenal won their first corner. Don't get me wrong, Arsenal look a very impressive side and it feels inevitable that the title is heading to the Emirates. But Burnley had returned to five at the back - and I have previously voiced my thoughts on that tactic - and found themselves largely spectators as the Londoners wrapped the game up inside 45 minutes.

Now for the cliche: this game will not define Burnley's season. So there is much to be said about chalking this one off and moving on to the key fixture this coming weekend (Burnley travel to London this time, aiming to take maximum points off another relegation contender). But I don't want to move on without some element of reflection.

Zian Flemming is proving himself very capable in his inaugural Premier League season. Both Quilindschy Hartman and Axel Tuanzebe are bringing some real class to Burnley's back line and Martin Dubravka may well be a shoo-in for player of the season at this rate.

The fact remains that Burnley have already faced Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Arsenal, and STILL find themselves three points clear of the relegation zone. If that won't put a smile on Burnley fans' faces, then I don't know what will.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor.

Here are some of your replies:

Burnley fans

Tad: Arsenal obviously have more expensive players and can pay higher wages, but they were also quicker to close down our players, quicker to second balls and hunted better in packs. Burnley have some good players but they need to put in more fast yards if they want to survive in the Premier League.

Graham: We're not overawed or out of place at this level! The better team won but Burnley almost scored against Arsenal. Tactically we showed too much respect in the early stages. It was later in the match that we changed, showing more aggression up front and causing some problems for the opposition. Another encouraging performance against a top team.

Fraser: Burnley looked far more fluid and capable after a multitude of substitutions in the second half, particularly after Hannibal's introduction. You can understand Scott Parker's attempt to nullify Arsenal somewhat with his starting XI. We move on.

Kathy: I was at the match and saw Burnley play far better than has generally been reported. This is a classic case of 'have a big name, automatically get the lion's share of the attention'. This kind of journalism is not in the true spirit of football, for fans or players.

Arsenal fans

Jordan: Arsenal were composed and in control. William Saliba and Gabriel dominated defensively, while the team's structure nullified Burnley's attack. In possession, Arsenal were patient and precise. Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice set the tempo, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard stretching the play and creating chances. Viktor Gyokeres put in a good shift up front with his goal. It was a mature and assured performance that showed balance and confidence to go on and win the league.

Steve: Arsenal are a machine this season! They just work so hard for each other and you can see they do not want to concede a goal ever. The work rate is first class and so professional. Keep it up.

Barry: Just awesome. Composed and comfortable, we've got a great gearbox these days. Gyokeres is a cracking centre-forward - he leads the line brilliantly.

Joe: A good win, however playing for an hour after the second goal without scoring is, to my mind, poor. If goal difference is to be the deciding factor at the end of the season, then we need as many goals as we can score. It's no good just defending a scoreline when we're on a roll.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Manchester United

• Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea