Burnley 1 Cardiff 1: Howe continues to look on bright side as Clarets are left seeking first win

Burnley manager Eddie Howe refused to be downbeat after the draw against Cardiff, which left the Clarets still without a league win this season.

Charlie Austin netted his third goal in four appearances for Howe’s side with a downward header inside two minutes, but the three points failed to materialise as veteran Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw equalised for the Bluebirds five minutes before the break.

Howe chose to look on the bright side and cited notable improvement from his team. “First half in particular, we were excellent,” he said. “We passed and moved the ball really well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We got the early goal which was a boost and we really thought we were going to go on and make it two or three, but we had a lapse of concentration and conceded.

“Unfortunately, that’s been a factor of our play this season. We’ve not conceded a great amount of chances to teams – it just seems that every one they get they take.

“Then, at the other end, we have to create 10 or 12 to get a goal. That’s just how it is for us at the moment. We do seem to be making it hard work for ourselves.

“But I am pleased with my players. They gave everything they had. In the second half, we were the only team really trying to go on and win it, but we just could not break them down.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Burnley will feel aggrieved not only to have been level at the break but also to have had the same number of players on the pitch as Cardiff – with Anthony Gerrard particularly lucky to stay on the field following a lunge on Austin.

Cardiff were better after the interval and Lee Grant did well to save Earnshaw’s early header. Chris McCann should have won it with a close-range header in the 80th minute.

Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, Mee, Easton, Wallace (MacDonald 84), Marney, McCann, Treacy (Elliott 77), Austin (Hines 65), Rodriguez. Unused substitutes: Jensen, Edgar.

Cardiff City: Marshall, McNaughton, Gerrard, Hudson, Taylor, Whittingham, Cowie, Conway, Mason (Blake 69), Miller, Earnshaw (Gestede 75). Unused substitutes: Heaton, Keinan, Quinn.

Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire).

Man of the match: Kieran Trippier.