By Burnley FC
February 22 2014
A first half masterclass saw Burnley blow Forest out of the water to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games and strengthen their grip on second spot.
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Sean Dyche’s rampant side were three goals to the good within 35 minutes as Sam Vokes’ brace took his tally to 18 for the season, following Scott Arfield’s opener.
And despite Djamel Abdoun’s 79th minute header - after his second half penalty had been saved by Tom Heaton - Forest’s 14-game unbeaten league run came crashing to an end as the Clarets’ charge picked up yet more momentum.
Dyche fielded an unchanged team for the sixth successive game.
And opposite number Billy Davies saw his side swept aside following a sensational opening.
There was almost the perfect start within 90 seconds, in a clear sign of things to come.
Arfield’s persistence opened the door and when the unmarked Vokes swung a boot eight yards out, keeper Darlow got a crucial touch before the ball was hacked off the line.
Vokes’ time would soon arrive, but it was Arfield who lit the blue touchpaper for an explosive half with the opener in the 10th minute.
David Jones found the Scot with a terrific pass and after a sweet nutmeg, his fierce shot went straight through Darlow and into the roof of the net for his sixth goal of the season.
Michael Kightly was increasingly influential in the opening quarter, and as the Clarets looked to press home their early territorial advantage, the wide man curled a shot wide after cutting in from the left flank.
But the second goal arrived in the 25th minute following another moment of magic from Kieran Trippier.
The right back bamboozled ex-Claret Danny Fox with lightening footwork on the right by-line and drilled over a magnificent waist-high cross that Vokes stooped to head home yards from goal.
Now in full-swing, there was almost a third on the half hour for the hosts as the Welshman took Dean Marney’s slide-rule pass in his stride and forced a top save from Darlow with a rising 25-yard volley.
And when Burnley did have the ball in the net 17 minutes from the break, an offside flag denied Michael Duff his first goal of the campaign as he met Jones free kick with a firm, downward far post header
But 10 minutes from half time, that mattered not as Kightly and Ben Mee raided the left flank and the full back cut the ball back perfectly for Vokes, whose first time shot looped up off a Forest boot and dropped over Darlow into the far corner.
Half time brought a standing ovation from three sides of Turf Moor, as shell-shocked Forest headed for the sanctuary of the dressing room.
Normal service was resumed straight from the restart as Ings sprinted clear down the right and crossed just beyond the in-rushing Vokes, who could easily have been celebrating a first half hat-trick.
But from Forest’s first threat of the game moments later, Abdoun’s corner found Jamaal Lascelles, whose point-blank header was brilliantly gloved onto the bar by Heaton.
Forest perhaps needed that to give them hope of an unlikely second half fightback.
To read the full match report please click on the link below; |
Quote:bbc.co.uk
Burnley have a fully-fit squad as they try to make it 20 home games unbeaten in the league.
Winger Keith Treacy will hope to start after scoring against Bournemouth last weekend.
Nottingham Forest could again have up to eight players missing as they hope to extend their unbeaten run to 14 league matches.
Only full-back Eric Lichaj (hernia) has a chance of returning to the squad against the second-placed Clarets.
Nude. Never arsy in bed past 7am. 7am is my Sat/Sun lie in time and wouldn't eat to waste anymore of my weekend in bed.
Quote:Private Spud
I'm half cut waiting for Wigan v Sydney Roosters. Ooossh
Quote:e1865
You are playing our reserves in fairness but by god, we're gonna get a thrashing today.
Quote:e1865
It'll be a minor miracle if we get anything today. Our injury list reads:
Cohen, Wilson, Hobbs, Lichaj, Vaughan, Lansbury, Reid, Majewski, Blackstock and apparently Cox too.
It's essentially our entire first choice defence and three of our best four midfielders. In short, you ought to hammer us. We've got one dangerous player in Paterson (and what a player) but aside from that we look incredibly toothless. What a shame that injuries have slightly derailed what could be a great game.

Quote:colinwaldron
BC this is what I read in the Sunday Mirror quoting Billy Davies "We were better in the second half and might have got a point"
Quote:Longsiders1882
Are we a long ball team? Little Billy seems to say do yet I've not seen that at all. I'm not bothered if we are just seems an unfair label. We can go direct when needed of course but I've always felt we played a good balanced way.
In fairness I've only seen us half a dozen times live so what do the regulars think?
Quote:bordeauxclaretQuote:Longsiders1882
Are we a long ball team? Little Billy seems to say do yet I've not seen that at all. I'm not bothered if we are just seems an unfair label. We can go direct when needed of course but I've always felt we played a good balanced way.
In fairness I've only seen us half a dozen times live so what do the regulars think?
Little Billy wants to take another look at our three goals yesterday, no sign of any long balls, just good football.
