Derby County 1 Burnley 2: Austin strikes at the double to get Howe’s Clarets off the mark

Charlie Austin punished two second-half mistakes either side of Theo Robinson’s reply to give Burnley a 2-1 victory, their first league win of the season and end Derby’s winning start.

Howe said: “We got our noses in front and looked quite comfortable but then Derby got going and put us on the back foot a bit.

“They equalised and you feared for us for what has happened this season but, thankfully, the lads dug in and showed great resilience and team spirit and all the hallmarks of a a good side.

“You have to win ugly sometimes and for the last 20 minutes we battened down the hatches and saw it out.”

Howe clearly has a penalty area predator in 22-year-old Austin, who could have left Pride Park with the match ball.

“He has the knack of being in the right place and he’s a fantastic finisher. He’s still young and will get better and better so there are really positive signs from him,” said Howe.

Burnley matched Derby’s work-rate and would have been in front but for a post which denied Austin a first-half goal.

The striker made no mistake in the 50th minute when Keith Treacy went past O’Brien and Austin slammed the ball in from six yards.

Robinson deservedly equalised in the 71st minute when Craig Bryson drilled the ball across and the substitute applied the finish.

Derby looked set to go on and win it but Burnley were back in front three minutes later when Frank Fielding could not hold a swerving 25-yard shot from Ross Wallace and Austin pounced on the loose ball.

Derby County: Fielding, Brayford, Shackell, O’Brien, Kilbane, Bailey, Hendrick, Bryson, B Davies, Ward (Croft 46), S Davies (Robinson 46). Unused substitutes: Legzdins, Roberts, Maguire.

Burnley: Jensen, Trippier, Mee, Edgar, Easton, Wallace (Elliott 82), McCann, Marney, Treacy (MacDonald 90), Rodriguez, Austin (Amougou 85). Unused substitutes: Grant, Hines. Booked: Mee.

Referee: A Haines (Tyne & Wear).

Man of the match: Charlie Austin.