We just looked a little off in terms of energy and lacking in our sharpness
Swansea boss Paul Clement ended his day with a full lap of honour as he chased around the Liberty Stadium pitch at the final whistle as the three points took them to 16th in the table, five points above the drop zone.
“There was only one result we would have been satisfied with today, and that was the win,” Clement said. “And it was an exhilarating moment when we scored the winning goal. Just go back a couple of weeks and we had the opposite emotion, when it looked like we were going to get a hard earned point at Manchester City until they scored in the 93rd minute.
“Today we had the other end of the spectrum and it’s a wonderful feeling. That was also because of the circumstances of the game. We were behind 2-1 having hit the woodwork three times and conceded a penalty which should not have been given.
“Football is like that. You can plan your tactics and the players can implement that plan, but they you get things that come out of nowhere. You have to deal with them. You have to use them as motivation to go and do even better.
“We went behind, 2-1, with one of their only chances, but we got back level and then we pushed and pushed to find the winner.”
Fernando Llorente scored that winning goal, having opened the scoring earlier in the game and Clement said of him: “I am not sure there is a better player in Europe at attacking crosses. I have worked with some good ones. Andy Carroll gets spoken about, what he can do if you get good balls into the box, but Fernando has come up with some key goals for us and he has had a hand in a few goals as well.”
Clement, speaking again about the penalty, was asked about video technology. “100 per cent I would welcome that,” he added. “I really don’t understand why it is taking so long to do. It’s been spoken about for years and years. Next there will be a trial and then it will be introduced a year or two after that.
“I feel for referees. I referee games in training and sometimes I guess on decisions. Sometimes I go on the players’ reactions. It’s very hard in real time to get some decisions right, but what’s bizarre is that four officials are the only people in the stadium who cannot get help.
“The staff can do it, the media have got it and the fans can get it through their mobile devices. I haven’t seen it back myself, but I knew within 30 seconds that it was the wrong decisions because someone from my backroom staff told me.”
Sean Dyche was also unhappy with one of Anthony Taylor’s decisions, that to award Swansea’s winner in stoppage time.
After the game, the Burnley boss said: “Performance wise, we weren’t as good as we have been recently. I thought they were the better side, particularly in the first half. We dealt with it better after half time and stayed in the game, which I’m really pleased with. We’ve got our noses in front and then there’s a really important moment when Andre crosses and Sam Vokes almost gets a touch for a third goal.
“In the end, we would have nicked a point, but unfortunately we couldn’t because of a foul on Ben for the winner, which is a real shame. I have been told since it wasn’t a penalty, but that doesn’t mean the referee shouldn’t give the foul and sometimes that’s the way it goes. Just because one goes for you doesn’t mean the next one should go against you, so I’m feeling for the players because there was no lack of effort today and it would have been another valuable point on the board.
“You are only human and you are going to be disappointed when they score with so little time to go because it’s a foul, it’s as simple as that. There is no way he can jump over a player like that and you saw Ben flying to the floor. How it’s not given, on that occasion, I was very surprised.”
However, Dyche admitted: “I must say though, they were the better side, especially in the first half, and I am amazed at where they are. They are a good side anyway and it’s that head scratcher when, under a different manager, players find form. It’s always been tough coming down here.”
Tom Heaton missed the game with Dyche confirming he’d been taken ill overnight and he concluded: “I look at the performance levels of the team because if we get them right we’ll take care of ourselves anyway. We weren’t miles off today, but we just looked a little off in terms of energy and lacking in our sharpness. We know this is a tough division and I don’t over think it. We are in good shape physically and mentally and ready for the challenges that come our way.”
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