13/08/2024 11:55
Burnley’s bid to secure an immediate return to the Premier League began in fine style with an impressive win on the road against Luton Town as the opening round of EFL Championship fixtures drew to a close.
The Clarets – now backed by Bristol Street Motors - made the trip to Kenilworth Road to take on a side that had also suffered relegation last season for the first game under Scott Parker after he took over the reins from Vincent Kompany over the summer.
Following the departure of Arijanet Muric to Ipswich Town, Parker reintroduced goalkeeper James Trafford to the starting line-up, with defender Lucas Pires the only summer addition to be named in the XI.
After a quiet start to proceedings, Burnley grabbed the lead early on when Pires played in Josh Brownhill to slide the ball under ‘keeper Thomas Kaminski and into the net after six minutes.
Both sides created chances – with the better ones falling to the visitors – before Burnley went two clear thanks to Wilson Odobert, who ran into a long ball from Connor Roberts before sprinting forwards and smashing the ball home.
Luton had a chance to pull one back shortly after the break when Trafford failed to deal with a cross and Elijah Adebayo headed against the bar, before Dara O’Shea went close at the other end with a driven shot that Kaminski did well to push away.
Vitinho then hit the woodwork from close range before Luton got one back through Tahith Chong – who was able to tap home to half the deficit.
The goal gave Luton more confidence and Burnley were under pressure until O’Shea headed in from a corner with just under 20 minutes to go to make it 3-1.
Less than ten minutes later, the points were secured when Lyle Foster drove forwards into the Luton half before playing in Vitinho on the right hand side to drive the ball across Kaminski and in off the far post.
Burnley’s next game is on Saturday when Cardiff City visit Turf Moor.
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