Burnley

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley manager Scott Parker admitted there was "a lot of reflection" and "hurt" following Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers West Ham, during which he was subjected to chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' from sections of the Burnley support.

The 45-year-old may have been bracing himself for more of the same after Jorgen Strand Larsen had doubled his and Crystal Palace's lead 12 minutes before half-time on Tuesday night.

He most certainly won't have been expecting to take a 3-2 lead into half-time – not when Burnley had been so toothless up to that point.

But the Clarets smelled blood after Hannibal Mejbri's goal had reduced the arrears, capitalising on Palace's inertia to complete a phenomenal turnaround.

Burnley are only the fifth team – and first since 2009 – to trail by two or more goals in the first half of a Premier League game, but still go into the break ahead.

And only three times before had they scored three first-half goals in the top flight, last doing so against Brentford in October 2021.

Burnley's focus in the second half was all about containing Palace, and they appeared to be holding on comfortably until Ismaila Sarr sent a thumping volley towards the top corner with virtually the last kick of the game.

However, Martin Dubravka produced a stunning save to parry Sarr's shot out of harm's way and secure a precious three points.

After all the first-half chaos, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that kick-off at Selhurst Park was delayed by 10 minutes after the Burnley team bus had got caught up in traffic on the way to the ground.

The visitors' preparations may have been far from ideal, but the result certainly was.

Burnley boss Scott Parker, speaking to TNT Sports: "I'm happy with the team and, of course, with the result.

"In the situation we're in, coming off the back of an incredibly tough game for us at the weekend – for many reasons – that performance showed a group that's full of resilience, full of commitment. All the staff, the players, deserve that today.

"You don't get that result without proper resilience, standing up to certain battles and certain situations. The biggest lesson for any group is to keep coming back up – and we certainly did that tonight.

"There's always been belief [that we can stay up]. The results over the last few months probably haven't gone our way, tonight that definitely was the case. I said before tonight's game, let's not worry about where we've been in the past – let's look at the present.

"Can a group of men come to Selhurst Park and win a game of football against Crystal Palace? I think every single player believed that tonight. I think that was evident.

"There aren't many teams who would come back after going 2-0 down. It speaks absolute volumes for this group. If there was ever a question of how together this group is, how committed this group is, how resilient this group is – it said it all really."

Did you know?

• Burnley are only the second team to go two goals down in the first half of a Premier League away game but still go in ahead at half-time, after Spurs at Newcastle in 1995.

• The Clarets ended a run of 16 games without a win in the Premier League, their second-longest top-flight winless streak, after a run of 19 in 1890.

• Scott Parker enjoyed his first-ever win away as a manager in London in the Premier League on his ninth attempt (D3 L5).

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

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Oliver Glasner makes two changes to the Crystal Palace team that started Sunday's win at rivals Brighton.

Daichi Kamada comes in, while Aston Villa loanee Evann Guessand is handed his full debut.

Will Hughes and Yeremy Pino drop to the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Richards, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Guessand, Strand Larsen

Subs: Benitez, Pino, Johnson, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Sosa, Riad, Devenny

Image source, Premier League

Scott Parker also makes two alterations to the Burnley side that started the 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham on Saturday.

Joe Worrall and Josh Laurent return, with Florentino and Lucas Pires named among the substitutes.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Humphreys, Esteve, Worrall, Edwards, Mejbri, Laurent, Ugochukwu, Anthony, Flemming

Subs: Weiss, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Florentino, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Ward-Prowse, Pires, Barnes

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

• Aston Villa v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Burnley

• Man City v Fulham

• Nottingham Forest v Wolves

• Sunderland v Liverpool (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And listen to Around The Grounds on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 19:00

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

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

It's not been a great week for the ongoing relationship between Burnley Football Club, its manager and the fanbase.

The day started with chairman Alan Pace appearing on Football Focus where he faced questions about the struggles of this season and where the club found itself. If the opening comments weren't sufficiently alarming – Pace admitted that around the time ALK purchased the club people had made it sound to him like Premier League survival was "just a given" – things went to a whole other level as what appeared to be digs at his fan base started to roll off the tongue.

Pace dismissed fan concerns as somewhat irrelevant as they came from those who "just play this game on a computer somewhere". He went on to liken those same fans to three-year-old toddlers having a tantrum. Such comments - as innocent as they may have been - were not well advised.

The day ended with Scott Parker facing the press after a damning defeat at home to West Ham United, delivering an interview that was profoundly uncomfortable to watch for anyone with an ounce of empathy. He acknowledged that the boos from the Turf Moor faithful were understandable, but also stated that they were not helpful.

The problem I have with this weekend's reaction from the club is that it was made to sound like this was a knee-jerk reaction from unreasonable fans the minute things got tough. We haven't won a game since October. Nothing is being done to change the position we are in. We are getting worse with each attempt we have made at Premier League survival since Sean Dyche was sacked in a "difficult decision" by Burnley's new owners. That sacking, by the way, was made as the board felt that "change is needed".

The Clarets' fanbase is famously loyal and forgiving and doesn't have unreasonable expectations. We now await the explanation as to why the club has not felt that change was needed this year.

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

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace welcome Burnley to Selhurst Park on Wednesday having ended a miserable nine-game streak without a Premier League win during what has been a tumultuous winter for Oliver Glasner's side.

A second goal in as many games for Ismaila Sarr saw off fierce rivals Brighton on Sunday, lifting Palace to 13th in the table.

Palace hoping to buck home trend

The Eagles are winless in their past seven home league matches (drawn three, lost four), their worst run at Selhurst Park in the top flight since a 15-game stint between August 1997 and April 1998 that ended in relegation.

Two wins from 12 in front of their own fans this season, the last of which came against Brentford on 1 November, means Palace have earned just 37.5% of their total points at home this season - only Tottenham have fared worse.

On a more optimistic note for Palace fans, their team haven't lost a home league game against a side starting the day in the relegation zone since a 4-0 reverse to Sunderland in February 2017 – they are unbeaten in 19 since.

With Burnley's visit to south London followed by that of rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers, February presents the perfect opportunity for Glasner's charges to put distance between themselves and the relegation dogfight.

Clarets in freefall

For all Crystal Palace's struggles at home, it would be wrong to suggest Wednesday's visitors Burnley are well-placed to take advantage.

Encouraging draws against Manchester United and Spurs bookended a run of four games unbeaten in January, but any optimism arising from that spell has been snuffed out after back-to-back defeats.

The Clarets, who have been stuck in 19th place since late November, are losing ground on West Ham thanks to the latter's improved form, with relegation looking more likely by the day.

Burnley are currently 16 league games without a win, the worst run of any club in Europe's top five leagues. It also means they're one of just two teams in the entire Football League without a league win since the start of November, along with the Championship's bottom side Sheffield Wednesday.

The trip from London back to east Lancashire is often a sorry one for Burnley fans; their team have won just one of their past 16 top-flight visits to the city (drawn six, lost nine), losing each of their past four.

Head coach Scott Parker doesn't fare much better. After eight attempts, he is yet to win a top-flight away game in London. Only Neil Warnock (16), Colin Todd (10), Steve Kean (nine) and Nigel Pearson (nine) have managed more away games in the capital without tasting success.

Crystal Palace's win over Brighton was a huge result for them and the Eagles are definitely not short of firepower - if anything they have got too many centre-forwards now, but that's a good problem to have.

Burnley have had it though - I thought that before they lost at home to West Ham on Saturday, but there can't be any doubt they are going down now.

I don't think the Clarets will get anything here, either, but their fans seem to have turned on manager Scott Parker which I really don't like.

This is the guy who got them up but because the other promoted sides, Sunderland and Leeds, are having better seasons, that has gone against him.

Just on the eyes, whenever I've watched them, Burnley have been competitive and have been in games.

I just think there needs to be a bit of patience from their supporters, but of course they are entitled to their opinion.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "We are all good injury-wise. Nothing to really report - no-one really coming back as well. We are practically where we have been over the past few weeks."

• He also said James Ward-Prowse could be an option to start against the Eagles after playing in an under-21s game last weekend: "He hasn't played a lot of football. That is a decision for me to make but I have no doubt we will see James Ward-Prowse on the pitch tomorrow night."

• On where Burnley find themselves in the Premier League: "Emotional support is probably the biggest thing at the moment. The psychology of what we are in is fundamentally the key at this present moment in time. It's very clear where we are and the situation we are in, so let's strip a lot back in terms of our thinking and focus, and keep fighting away here. I know there's more to that here - of course there is - and it's easier said than done."

• He added: "We're all hurting at this moment in time, but there is still a lot of football to be played. People are writing us off, for sure, and they can't really see where the next win is coming from. That's not the mentality we need to adopt."

• On his relationship with the owners: "That relationship is concrete. My relationship with the ownership has been very clear, it's very honest and transparent and I have absolutely nothing but the full backing."

• He added: "The day, minute or hour I feel I am not the right man, I will be the first to shake someone's hand. I'd be very comfortable with that because I care deeply about this football club and I care deeply about this group of players."

• On what positives he sees at the moment: "It's a tough question. Anything I say that is positive is only going to add more fire to this situation. That is the reality. Anything I say regarding us as a group, the positive of coming out with three draws against big teams, the positive results at the beginning of the season when we were hugely competitive is something that will probably be frowned up and antagonise the situation even more."

• He added: "What changes it is winning. That's a word easy to say but that is probably the only way us as a group, me as a manager and this team can get some air. We can only get it by winning."

• He expects a "a tough game" against Palace, who are a "well coached side coming off the back of some good results, with some really good individual talent".

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

Got a question about Burnley? Get in touch and we'll put it to our experts

Image source, Getty Images

No Nay Never podcaster Natalie believes that Burnley manager Scott Parker doesn't have what it takes to thrive in the Premier League.

Burnley are without a league win since October and Natalie was particularly aggrieved to see them resist chasing a winner against Manchester United in January - indicating Parker's lack of competitive edge.

"We're at a crossroads at the moment where I'm not 100% sure what Burnley FC's identity is," Natalie told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"We got criticised heavily during the Dyche years for 'dinosaur football', but at least you knew what we had.

"We were known for something even if it wasn't pretty - I don't know what Burnley FC are known as. We are nothing in every single element of the park.

"As lovely a guy as he is, Scott Parker has a ceiling as a Championship manager.

"He's proved consistently that he doesn't quite have whatever it is - whether it's the tactical application, whether it's the ruthlessness or decision-making ability to succeed in the Premier League."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards speaking on BBC Sounds' Football Daily about Scott Parker's emotional post-match interview after defeat by West Ham: "It was uncomfortable. It hit me quite hard. He's really feeling that and being honest.

"He got them promoted, he's a hero. They all say they'll stick together at the start of the season and now you have 'you're getting sacked in the morning' in February. It's been a hard season, a difficult one but it's nothing most of us didn't anticipate. I really felt for Parker.

"Parker knows what the direction of travel is. Going back to that interview, he sounds broken. He sounds like he knows he's lost the fans and it's probably only a matter of time until he loses his job. Somebody has to pay the price for the miserable season Burnley are having. In football, 9.5 times out of 10 it's the manager."

Ex-Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "You could have Pep Guardiola in there and he wouldn't get results. I'm being honest. I understand what Burnley fans are saying, they are entitled to chant and say what they want.

"Parker should just say 'have a go, we're going to get relegated anyway', instead of sitting back and trying to protect something. Last season they were the best defensively, that was never going to be the same in the Premier League. They had the money to spend but have not brought in the right players to compete in the Premier League."

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

James: Just when you think it cannot get any worse. If this level of performance is considered by Scott Parker to be just a little off, Burnley fans should take up gardening for the rest of the season, rather than endure more of this. When will the Burnley board grow some and get rid of the deadwood, starting with Parker?

Alan: Pointless. Other than to fulfill fixtures, this team, including management, do not belong in the Premier League. They are simply not good enough at all levels. Unfortunately, they are looking so demoralised that they don't look good enough for the Championship either. Have a clearout now, bring in fresh management who can instil some pride in the shirt, and prepare for next season.

Jeff: Another performance where you really have to wonder how bad it has to be for the board to sack the manager. But the board and the recruitment process needs to be questioned. Making signings that have never played in England (other than Kyle Walker as a outfield player), never mind the Premier League - like they did with Vincent Kompany. Two seasons now in the Premier League with the same result.

Neil: Same old story - week in, week out. A must-win game needed strength up front - but just one striker (albeit a makeshift one) starting said it all, and that's no disrespect to Zian Flemming. The defence, once again, gifted the goals and it was always uphill after that. Promising early pressure in the second half gave us some hope, but it soon fizzled out and we were well beaten. We don't need the boo boys calling for Parker out and knocking the players. If you're not happy, stay home and leave the die-hard fans to give their support.

West Ham fans

James: That was a vital three points. Form is picking up now and rivals must be looking over their shoulders. Let's not get too carried away as there is a way to go yet, but if Crysencio Summerville can keep popping up with goals there is certainly cause for optimism. A real captain's performance from Jarrod Bowen again.

Jimmy: Much like last week, an excellent first half and two very good goals, but this week was also a more disciplined second-half performance. Maybe, just maybe, Nuno Espirito Santo has at long last realised that bringing on a third centre-half isn't the answer when you're winning the game, and this week he made the substitutions he should have made last week - which I'm sure had he done so, we would have left Stamford Bridge with at least one point, if not all three.

Pete: Nuno deserves credit for his team selection and his substitutions after criticism in previous matches. Matheus Fernandes is growing in stature with every game and could be the first player to fill the hole left by Declan Rice. All of West Ham's players look up for the fight, which wasn't the case a few weeks ago. It won't be easy, but if we can show this character every game, we might just stay up.

Tim: Massive three points for the Irons after the disappointment of last weekend. Pleased for Taty Castellanos, who looks a good signing.

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

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Bournemouth 1-1 Aston Villa

• Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland

• Newcastle 2-3 Brentford

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Given Burnley's perilous position near the foot of the table, it felt like a certain irony was attached when one of the themes from the famous Western movie, 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly', rang out around Turf Moor prior to kick-off.

And on a gloomy day in east Lancashire, it did not take long for things to get unpleasant for the home side.

They had already been guilty of losing possession cheaply when Lucas Pires' poor touch was seized upon in midfield by Mateus Fernandes.

The 21-year-old Portuguese was able to stride forward and release Crysencio Summerville who had the simple task of calmly guiding the ball past Martin Dubravka.

Valentin Castellanos' first Premier League goal since joining West Ham from Lazio in January - adding to his FA Cup goal against QPR - was also far too simplistic and easy in its nature.

After the ball was transferred wide, the 27-year-old was under no pressure whatsoever when he nodded Diouf's centre past Slovakia goalkeeper Dubravka.

It was the 25th goal conceded by Burnley in the opening half of a Premier League game this season and, not known for their attacking prowess, it left them with too much to do after the break.

They are now within one game of unwanted history too, with their worst run (17) without a top-flight victory coming at the start of 1889-90.

Burnely boss Scott Park, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was tough today and certainly the first half was tough.

"I don't think there was a lack of desire or passion. We're in a difficult moment. I think you can feel that and the stadium felt that.

"I tgink you see a team that is fragile at this present moment in time, for sure. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb and in the decond half we had numurous chances to crank up the pressure. We have just fallen a little bit short today for many reasons. We are really disappointed.

"It was edgy and we felt that and I think that reflected on the players at times.

"West Ham were clinical in the first half and it just took the sting out of us really."

Did you know?

• Burnley are winless in their last 16 Premier League games (D5 L11). They're one of just two teams in England's top four tiers without a league win since the start of November, along with Sheffield Wednesday.

• The Clarets had 18 shots against West Ham United, their most in a single Premier League game this season.

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

Have your say on Burnley's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Esteve, Humphreys, Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Flemming Pires, Edwards, Anthony, Mejbri.

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Broja, Laurent, Barnes.

West Ham XI: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Bowen, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville, Wilson, Castellanos.

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Traore, Pablo Magassa, Scarles, Potts, Kante.

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

• Man Utd v Tottenham (12:30)

• Arsenal v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Bournemouth v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Burnley v West Ham

• Fulham v Everton

• Wolves v Chelsea

• Newcastle v Brentford (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra with second half on BBC Radio 5 Live

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 Bournemouth v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Sunderland", for instance.

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

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.

His guest for week 25 is Gladiators star Apollo, real name Alex Gray, who supports Newcastle.

Sutton says: I think Burnley are down but this is their chance to prove me wrong.

They need it to be - they are at home, against a team one place above them in the table, so this is their big chance to end their long wait for a win.

I just don't see it happening for the Clarets, though.

I am not sure which West Ham side will turn up, but they have shown some improvement recently, especially in attack.

I don't think the Hammers will keep a clean sheet because they have had only one all season - the fewest by any top-flight team - but I don't see Burnley beating them.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Apollo's prediction: 2-1

AI's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here