Burnley remain in the Premier League relegation zone after a 3-3 draw at Newcastle, but Sean Dyche is confident his team will beat the drop.
The Clarets coped with the loss of three players through injuries and illness in the opening half and almost triumphed despite going behind on three occasions at St James' Park on Thursday.
And Dyche's disappointment at his side's failure to achieve a badly-needed win was tempered by the way his team coped with the various setbacks they encountered during a hugely entertaining game.
"It was certainly an interesting day at the office," Dyche said. "We have hit the woodwork four times and created other chances, so I'm scratching my head about how we didn't come away with a win.
"I've also not experienced a situation before where three players had to go off so early in the game, but we dealt with it fantastically well.
"I couldn't be more proud of my players. We talk about their effort and organisation, but some of the quality shown was outstanding.
"Newcastle were excellent for 25 minutes and on the front foot but we hung on. People were probably thinking it would be tough for us, but you saw the desire and belief of the players.
"We are relentless in how we play and there is a mentality here that is very, very strong. Our performances over the Christmas period have been outstanding."
- Battling Burnley -
Newcastle, playing for the first time since manager Alan Pardew's departure, led on three occasions through Steven Taylor, Jack Colback and Moussa Sissoko, but Burnley responded every time, starting with an own goal from the Newcastle defender Paul Dummett.
Danny Ings, a player linked with Newcastle, and George Boyd added the other goals for Burnley as they scored twice in the second-half, just as they did when they drew 2-2 at Manchester City in their previous game.
However, Burnley knew the game could have been out of their reach by the interval.
Newcastle were quick and imaginative throughout the first half as caretaker manager John Carver introduced a more attacking style than they had displayed under Pardew, but he is concerned at their failure to close the game down after taking the lead so frequently.
"I would love to know what changed at half-time. I've never been involved in a game where the cliche of a game of two halves was more appropriate," he said.
"It could have been 3-0 at the interval, then we came up against a direct style of play and didn't know how to deal with it.
"Burnley should have won the game. I told Sean afterwards that we got away with a point. We didn't deserve it."
Newcastle now face Leicester in the FA Cup and will be without Taylor, who could miss the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury.
"Unfortunately, we have lost Steven Taylor. It looks like he has ruptured his Achilles tendon -- and it's not the one he did previously, so I think that's the end of him now for the season," Carver said.
Source: AFP
