Full Time: Crystal Palace 0-2 Burnley
Burnley registered their first away win of the season in the Premier League when they defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at the Selhurst Park on Saturday.
The Clarets hit the ground running and opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute through Ashley Barnes. Burnley withstood some amount of pressure from the Eagles over the course of the game, before substitute Andre Gray made it 2-0 with five minutes left on the clock, to all but seal the three points for his team.
The win sees Burnley move to the 14th position in the league standings, 8 points clear of 18th placed Swansea City and all but confirm their stay in the Premier League for the next season. Here is how Sean Dyche’s men fared on the evening:
Burnley Player Ratings
Tom Heaton – 8/10
The captain was inspirational in goal for Burnley. Made a great stop to deny Christian Benteke with the score at 0-0 and made another brilliant stop to keep out Damien Delaney in the second period. There were a few routine stops in between as well.
Matthew Lowton – 8/10
Another excellent performer for Burnley on the evening as the right-back was on hand to thwart Palace on plenty of occasions. Dealt well with the threat of Wilfried Zaha. Played in a few good crosses into the box too.
Michael Keane – 8/10
As solid as they come at the back, the Englishman was unbeatable in the air and strong on the ground. Made the most clearances in the game (14). Had a few chances at goal from set-pieces but couldn’t find the net.
James Tarkowski – 7.5/10
Stepping in for the injured Ben Mee, Tarkowski did not disappoint. Was hit on the head by an object thrown by Palace fans early in the game, but the 24-year old wasn’t bogged down and was on hand to cut out danger on several occasions.
Stephen Ward – 7/10
Was afforded lots of space down the left-flank allowing him to set Barnes for the opener with an accurate cross. Taken off close to half-time due to a groin injury.
George Boyd – 7.5/10
Full of energy and industry on both ends of the pitch. The Scottish international won the most number of tackles in the game and did brilliantly to set Gray up for the second goal late in the game.
Ashley Westwood – 7/10
Neat and tidy in possession, the midfielder kept Burnley ticking over in the middle of the park while also putting in a shift defensively.
Jeff Hendrick – 6.5/10
Made two interceptions in the game, but his passing wasn’t always up to the mark. An okay performance from the Irishman.
Scott Arfield – 7/10
Put in a shift out on the flanks. His set-piece delivery was spot on each time as he picked out Keane and Tarkowski on quite a few occasions, but the defenders couldn’t make the chances count.
Ashley Barnes – 7.5/10
Opened the scoring with a neat finish from close range. Had a goal rightly ruled out for handball. His hold up play was a strong feature.
Sam Vokes – 7/10
Always a threat from the crosses that Burnley kept pumping in. Came close on a few occasions, forcing a save from Wayne Hennessey. Won the most headers by any player in the game (10).
Substitutes
Jon Flanagan – 6/10
Replaced Ward on the stroke of half-time. Added a tenacity to the Burnley defence, but did give away a couple of cheap fouls.
Andre Gray – 7/10
Came on for Barnes for the last ten minutes and put the result to bed with a low finish in the 85th minute.