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Town 2-0 Burnley - Match Report
Tuesday, 18th Aug 2015 21:56

Town climbed to the top of the Championship table as second-half goals from Freddie Sears and David McGoldrick saw the Blues to a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Portman Road. After an even first half, Sears steered home a Brett Pitman cross in the 66th minute and McGoldrick nodded in the second from an Ainsley Maitland-Niles corner five minutes later.

Boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side with Sears, who signed a new contract earlier today, and Daryl Murphy the strikers again getting the nod with McGoldrick and Pitman on the bench.

Town started brightly, Maitland-Niles sending Sears away down the right in the opening minute but Clarets’ keeper and skipper Tom Heaton grabbed the ball ahead of Murphy.

On three, Sears lost his footing on the very wet surface - it had been raining for much of the day - and inadvertently clattered into Ben Mee, who required lengthy treatment before continuing.

Immediately play resumed, Michael Kightly, who played for Blues boss McCarthy at Wolves, cut in from the left past Town skipper Chambers. The former Grays Athletic man’s first effort struck team-mate Jelle Vossen who couldn’t control, but the ball bounced back to the winger and he hit a shot across Bartosz Bialkowski, off the far post and into the grateful Blues keeper’s arms.

In the 13th minute Chambers brought the ball into the Burnley area on the right after good work from Murphy and Maitland-Niles and hit a shot which deflected across the face of goal and wide.

From the corner, the ball deflected towards Christophe Berra but the centre-half was unable to direct it goalwards.

A minute later, Cole Skuse shot over from 25 yards, then Maitland-Niles screwed an effort well wide from a similar distance.

The Blues were starting to look the more threatening side and on 17 Murphy turned Ryan Fraser’s left-wing cross over the bar from midway inside the area.

One-time Town target George Boyd volleyed over in the 28th minute before Fraser was replaced by David McGoldrick, the Scottish U21 international having suffered a jarred knee a few minutes earlier. Murphy moved to the left.

On 32 Sears profited from a loose Tendayi Darikwa pass midway inside the Burnley half, the ex-Colchester man bringing the ball forward before hitting a low drive straight at Heaton.


The visitors came close to going in front in the 40th minute when Kightly ran at the Town defence to the right of centre and fed Vossen, one of two Burnley players to his left in space on the edge of the box, but the Belgian’s shot was batted away by Bialkowski.

In the final scheduled minute of the half, David Jones, another of McCarthy’s Wolves squad, curled a freekick not far over the bar from the right.

The game remained goalless at the whistle and the level scoreline was a fair reflection of the half as a whole.

Burnley had come closest to scoring when the dangerous Kightly hit the post and with Vossen’s late strike but the Blues had had more half-chances in what had been an evenly-balanced first period.

The biggest disappointment for Town was losing Fraser, amongst the best performers in the Blues’ three previous games, to injury, however, McGoldrick had already started to show glimpses of his skills.

Pitman replaced Murphy at the restart, the former Bournemouth man joining McGoldrick up front with Sears moving to the left.

On 48 Smith completely mistimed his header from Maitland-Niles’s corner from the left, the ball flying well wide.

Ten minutes after the restart, the Clarets switched Vossen for new signing Rouwen Hennings, who was making his debut having received international clearance.

McGoldrick headed Maitland-Niles’s right-wing cross over in the 57th minute with the Portman Road crowd starting to ramp up the noise.

Chances had been rare in the second half but in the 66th minute the Blues went in front. Maitland-Niles played in Pitman on the right and the half-time sub sent over a low ball which Sears deftly stroked across the keeper and into the corner of the net.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0. McGoldrick rose highest to nod home Maitland-Niles’s corner from the right to grab his first goal since the 3-0 win against Charlton on December 30th last year.

Town were looking more likely to add a third than Burnley were to pull one back, Maitland-Niles winning an 81st minute corner. In the aftermath Douglas muscled his way into the area on the right and hit a shot across goal which wasn’t far away from Heaton’s post.

Maitland-Niles made way to rapturous applause in the 84th minute with Giles Coke taking over as the Blues looked to see out the final minutes.

Darikwa hit a shot which deflected across the face of the Town goal in the 88th minute as the visitors looked to get back into the game.

And from Kightly’s corner they came very close, Bialkowski reacting superbly to keep out Michael Keane’s virtually point-blank header.

In injury time, Kightly was booked for the latest in a succession of transgressions with Chambers having been the most recent man fouled.

The Blues saw the final moments out with none of the drama of the Brentford or Sheffield Wednesday games, Town having most of the ball and the visitors looking very much a beaten side.

After an even first half, the Blues were on top throughout the second half and the three points never looked in any serious danger once the again excellent Sears had steered home the opener.

McGoldrick’s first of the season cemented their lead and Burnley only rarely threatened, Bialkowski making only one real save, his excellent stop from Keane’s header.

It was a battling performance from Town - who kept a clean sheet for the first time since the 1-0 win at Watford in March - more like many of last season’s victories than the swashbuckling wing-based displays against the Bees and Wednesday, the Blues eventually getting on top of a game very similar to the home match against the Clarets during their promotion season.

The win takes Town to the top of the table - albeit on goal difference from Brighton - for the first time since Boxing Day last year - when they briefly climbed to the summit after the lunchtime win at Brentford - with their home campaign having got off to the best possible start with two victories in four days, the latest a confidence boosting win against a much-fancied, former Premier League side. The Blues are next in action away at Preston on Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Douglas, Maitland-Niles (Coke 84), Fraser (McGoldrick 28), Sears, Murphy (Pitman 46). Unused: Gerken, Tabb, Emmanuel, Touré.

Burnley: Heaton (c), Duff, Darikwa, Keane, Mee, Arfield, Jones (Taylor 77), Boyd, Kightly, Vossen (Hennings 55), Vokes (Jutkiewicz 66). Unused: Gilks, Sordell, Ward, Anderson. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 18,353 (Burnley: 470)


Photo: Action Images



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Stato added 21:57 - Aug 18
Carry on like this Mick and you just might win me over.
-13

AYACCA added 21:59 - Aug 18
YAY
2

Hipsterectomy added 22:00 - Aug 18
^ if only you had told MM that a few seasons back, he may have got us promotion quicker!
6

jpring89 added 22:00 - Aug 18
I can get used to this !!!
5

toxtethblue added 22:01 - Aug 18
Win you over?! The man's a star!! Compare Town of now to town of 3 years ago...
33

algarvefan added 22:02 - Aug 18
BossMan he won me over last season, I think although early doors he will take us up this season, the squad is looking much stronger.
9

BlueandTruesince82 added 22:04 - Aug 18
Town of now top of league. Town of 3 seasons ago bottom of league. Yes it's early days but it's still a nice feeling
11

Safetyfirstmrwarke added 22:04 - Aug 18
COYB!!!!! Work stopped me going tonight. Gutted.
2

muccletonjoe added 22:04 - Aug 18
Top of the league and hope we stay there
8

shaunkingitfc added 22:05 - Aug 18
I can't believe we're we are I know it only 3 games into season but we are not underdogs we got such good football players we should go up sorry we are going up
3

miltonsnephew added 22:05 - Aug 18
Marcus Evans back Mick with the money he needs to carry on this brilliant start to the season.
We just need strength in depth, if a injury or suspension comes along we just need people able to step in and carry on.
Just feel we don't have that in each area!
We are top of the league, Mr Evans if you want to stay there, get the players Mick wants/needs.

Lastly well done everyone tonight.
4

bugledog123 added 22:05 - Aug 18
Top of the league! Only 8 months to go.....
2

howdonblue added 22:06 - Aug 18
As ever in Mick I trust and always have
6

MVBlue added 22:12 - Aug 18
Steady as she goes Mick. Another defender before end of the window please.
4

Len_Brennan added 22:15 - Aug 18
3 tough opening games (albeit 2 at home) & 7 points in the bag, which could & should have been 9. Team playing better football, with more attacking options & goal threats; it hasn't been a bad summer, has it?
Also, this start can only help in getting deals over the line, both permanent signings & maybe another quality Premiership loan. I mean, only a madman wouldn't want to part of this revolution.
17

warktheline added 22:15 - Aug 18
Really nice to read posts on here beginning to acknowledge McCarthy's management. At Championship level you won't find better. Town have made continued progression under his leadership, yes at times it's been ugly and painful to watch, but just maybe, it will all be worth it!
17

RaymondovicBlue added 22:16 - Aug 18
Is Murphy injured please guys?
0

StochesStotasBlewe added 22:21 - Aug 18
You couldn,t have put a rizla between the teams in the 1st half but the second 48 minutes, the team were superb, simply blowing Burnley away. The young lad Ainsley again having a very good game on the right. Pitman deceptively sharp, McG with some lovely touches & Sears running his markers ragged. The defence looked solid, Knudsen,s throw ins as good as having a corner. Well done to Skuse who tackled & broke up the play. We are top of the league, my beer tastes sweet, happy as f### tonight. COYB.
10

Tractorboy1985 added 22:25 - Aug 18
Top of the league... Mick and Terry! Great win boys! Now to Preston and another 3 points! Hope Fraser is ok.. Cracking little player! COYB!!!!
6

brian_a_mul added 22:26 - Aug 18
7 points against playoff/promotion rivals is a fantastic start to the season.

Much better than I was expecting (5pts) plus into next round of cup!
6

EssexTractor added 22:27 - Aug 18
After an arguably lak lustre first half, with both sides measuring each other, the second half saw the effervescent Freddie Sears steal into another clever goal scoring moment, saw the wise beyond his years Ainsley display calmness, assurance and pace and evidence of Brett Pittman being one of the Championships leading forward players. Daryl Murphy must not be criticised for everything he brought last season as he is a little in the starting blocks, and credit for having his position covered properly by Pittman and the re emerging McGoldrick.
With a keeper showing confidence and a tough back four this promising start brings even more smiles.Douglas has improved each game and he and Skuse have so much experience at this level that other sides may not see them as the most skilful but might wonder how to outmatch them.
Three more excellent points.
13

Jimmy86 added 22:27 - Aug 18
Bloody good result and overall a decent performance, especially in the 2nd half. The football is much better and more measured. We mix it up now and don't just hoof the ball aimlessly looking for knock downs. The tenacity and work rate is still there, which is brilliant. Great to be unbeaten and top, albeit on goal difference. Mick could still bring in new faces before the window closes. Keep it up town, COYB
8

theman added 22:42 - Aug 18
Great team performance; solid at the back and clinical in front of goal. Can't praise AMN enough, for a 17 year old he shows such composure on the ball and provides a great outlet. Just hope Fraser's injury isn't too bad as those two have really given us a cutting edge and could give us that step up from last season.
10

dannyrr added 22:50 - Aug 18
What a game and what a difference in the style of play. Dominated Burnley in the second half playing good football. I commented at half time that Pittman should replace Murphy - I'm not criticising Murphy but he hasn't been himself last couple of games and not offered much to the games. Like McGolgdrick I think Pitman's touch is fantastic and the two of them played so well. Absolutely brilliant to see us top of league - hope we can stay there!!! Hope Fraser is OK as he brings so much to the game too. A couple of backups needed before window closes but Micks team is gelling together and you can see the team spirit on the pitch and off. COYB
11

essextractorboy93 added 22:50 - Aug 18
Great win, wasn't spectacular but you have to win these types of games if you want to be up there. Could have easily ended in a draw but we were more clinical than them and didn't let them have any chances in the second half until the header right at the end. Now onto Preston which will be a very tough test! They haven't conceded a goal yet but we have so many more goals in the side this season. Already 7 different scorers this season if you include cup games! COYB!!
6


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