Burnley 3-0 Southampton
For a side which took until late September to secure their first win last season, the importance of a good start was imperative for Burnley.
However, even boss Sean Dyche could not have expected such a convincing scoreline in their Premier League opener.
Especially as these two sides finished just a place and a point apart in last term’s bottom six, having flirted with danger during the campaign.
Now the first compilation of the Clarets’ 2019/20 Premier League highlights can begin to be edited for broadcast.
Highlights of the game
Dyche resisted the temptation to feature Danny Drinkwater – his loan signing an astute piece of Premier League 2019 news that largely went under the radar on deadline day – which wasn’t surprising given he has not played for a year.
Another new recruit in Jay Rodriguez only entered the fray with the match already won, yet there was a start for new full-back Erik Pieters.
Meanwhile, Southampton handed a debut to summer signing Che Adams as he started alongside Danny Ings, who made his loan from Liverpool a permanent switch over the summer.
The arrival of Adams from Birmingham City represents a major boost for the club — no player has reached double figures in goals in the Premier League since Sadio Mané three years ago.
Indeed, there is optimism on the south coast as Ralph Hasenhüttl begins his first full season in charge, given how he not only transformed a seemingly doomed side inside six months but also reinvigorated a whole club and an entire city.
That optimism was shown early on as both Adams and Nathan Redmond went close.
Adams was also at the centre of attention as VAR got its first run-out at Turf Moor in the top flight.
His high and late tackle on Ben Mee and Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s crunch on Ryan Bertrand were both reviewed, although neither player was shown a card
Meanwhile, the system also upheld an offside call that had ruled out Burnley striker Chris Wood’s strike after 16 minutes.
The Saints have started each of the last four Premier League campaigns with a draw, and another looked on the cards up until the hour mark. But then the hosts, who had rarely threatened until that point, blew Southampton away in the space of 12 minutes.
First, Ashley Barnes shot through the legs of Saints goalkeeper Angus Gunn from a Pieters delivery. Then the pair linked up again as Barnes fired into the corner to double the advantage.
It was left to Gudmundsson to seal a wonderful afternoon for the home side who, 12 months ago with their Europa League exploits seemingly hampering them, ended the opening month in the relegation zone.
SBOBET fans may not expect the same this time.
Burnley’s post-Christmas revival owed much to the return from injury of now-departed keeper Tom Heaton and exciting young talent Dwight McNeil. They gained some impressive results along the way too.
Yet if this was an indication of things to come, this showing was based on a typically solid performance, built on captain Mee and James Tarkowski’s partnership.
Having suffered a club-record 10 home league defeats last season — their tally of 360 attempts on goal last season was the lowest in the Premier League — this was first and foremost a return to the home form of 2017/18 for Dyche and his men.
For Southampton, the match was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests. But the way they were beaten after falling behind may trouble Hasenhüttl, who will now turn his attention to improving their home form. Southampton have won only 15 of their past 57 league matches at St Mary’s.
Burnley are up and running.
Key statistics
Five of Barnes’ 34 Premier League goals — 14 more than any other player for the club — have come against Southampton (15%). He’s scored four of Burnley’s last five against the Saints.
Barnes and Wood scored a combined 48.9% of Burnley’s league goals last season.
This was the Clarets’ first opening top-flight victory at home since they defeated Coventry in 1967 (drawn one, lost four).
Southampton have not won on any of their last six visits to Turf Moor (drawn two, lost four).
Only 16 goals have been scored in the nine Premier League meetings between these sides, with all bar one coming in the second half.
What’s next?
Burnley now go on the road with a visit to Arsenal next weekend.
It’s a tough test for Southampton too. Liverpool are the visitors in their first home match of the season. The Premier League 2019 betting odds for that match will likely lean heavily toward another win for the Merseysiders.
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