Burnley 2 West Ham United 1- match report
06 Feb 2010 - 17:38:26
Burnley's first victory in three months enabled them to move out of the relegation position at the expense of West Ham who have now won only once in their last 10 outings.
Danny Fox, the home side's 1.5m signing from Celtic, proved the difference between the two struggling teams as he climaxed a splendid debut by scoring a stunning 55th-minute second goal after setting up the home side's 13th-minute first for David Nugent.
Burnley given their due respect, says Owen CoyleHowever Burnley endured a torrid time in the last 10 minutes after Ilan, their free signing Brazilian striker pulled a goal back in the 80th minute after emerging as a substitute. And in the final minute of a compelling encounter a further West Ham newcomer, Mido had an attempt come back off a post.
Burnley, despite their lack of recent success maintained a record of scoring in every home game when they took a deserved lead after dominating the early stages. Fox delivered a high, long ball from the left and as the West Ham defence failed to cover quickly enough, Nugent struck with a decisive lob over the head of goalkeeper Robert Green.
It was Burnley's last positive threat of a first half that concluded with West Ham the more dominant force although the visitors lacked a decisive cutting edge.
But Benni McCarthy, a further debutant following a 3.5m move from Blackburn was desperately unlucky in the 33rd minute when his attempt was cleared off the line by Leon Cort after a perceptive through-ball from Scott Parker had split the home defence.
Mido, second-half replacement for McCarthy, shot behind from the left but Burnley increased their lead in the 55th minute, Fox climaxing his fine start by curling in a left-footed free-kick from the right after Jack Collison had impeded Tyrone Mears.
Ilan stamped his arrival by halving the deficit on 80 minutes and then, when Carlton Cole drove in from the left, Mido touched the ball against the foot of a post.
