It was absolutely sublime and a marvellous moment
Burnley beat Bristol City 2-0 in today’s FA Cup 4th round tie and, although the result was disappointing, our visitors’ performance left their manager Lee Johnson satisfied.
“I think the performance was good and some individuals really stepped up to the Premier League style of play,” he said. “You have to give credit to Burnley, they’re a very good, strong, physically fit and well organised outfit. They pin you in and apply pressure, but I thought we played out of that really well at times.
“Our young players on the pitch played with no fear and we had opportunities. If Milan Djuric’s header goes in, maybe the game takes a different course.
“The disappointing thing is the timing of the first goal, but I’ve been very positive with the players after the game because I thought we got a bit of our identity back today. I’m certainly not going to lambast my players today.
“The fans were fantastic, very supportive of myself and the players, which is greatly appreciated.”
He added: “Callum O’Dowda was excellent in the first half against a Premier League player who has been around for a while now in Flanagan. Josh Brownhill was very neat and tidy in midfield and what a performance from Zak Vyner, a young player who has come through the academy.
“He performed like he’s been in the Championship for five or ten years. He’s got a bright future and he did everything he could to retain the shirt for Tuesday.”
Like most people inside Turf Moor, Sean Dyche had enjoyed seeing Steven Defour’s goal that completed the scoring. “What a finish,” Dyche said. “It was absolutely sublime and a marvellous moment following a very good team performance.
“To kill a game off with a finish like that is exceptional. Steven deserves all the plaudits he gets this weekend and hopefully it’s lots of them. Steven makes good runs anyway, we know that, but he’s just found that moment of clarity that comes with quality players and it’s just a sublime finish, it’s as simple as that.
“He is a very high quality footballer, but English football is different and the Premier League is different. It can be highly technical and highly physical and very demanding with the amount of distance you cover. I said at the start of the season it would take time, but he is adjusting and I think he’s getting there. We are seeing clear signs of him showing what he and we need and he’s doing a good job of that.”
Sam Vokes got the first goal. “Sam has been a good servant to the club and he deserved that. He is maturing into a very good player, so I’m pleased for him and the club today.
“They had one golden chance at the end of the first half, which Nick made a good save from, but other than that we controlled most of the first half and to go in a goal up made a big difference to the feel of the game. In the second half we controlled it and we were good value in the end.”
He added: “We knew it was important to give a performance, and we got what we wanted, which was a win, so we’ll take whoever comes now. I suppose any team in the country would want a home draw, but beyond that, who knows?”
Follow UpTheClarets:Share this page :