Diallo seals Burnley victory

Ian Moore and Gareth Taylor had struck in the first half to give the Clarets a flying start against Premiership Fulham.

The Londoners’ night went from bad to worse with Luis Boa Morte limping off injured and Sean Davis sent off two minutes into the second half for a reckless challenge on Tony Grant.

Dean West’s superb 27th minute cross was headed home by Taylor for the opener and eight minutes later Moore scampered after West’s precise through-ball to lob Maik Taylor.

Tired Fulham came close through a Steed Malbranque shot which was saved by Marlon Beresford. But their woe increased when Luis Boa Morte limped off with a leg injury.

Saha had Fulham’s first shot on target in the 18th minute but his low dribble after cutting in from the left was never going to trouble Marlon Beresford ine Burnley goal.

Burnley grabbed the opener in the 27th minute when West’s cross from deep on the left spun over Ian Moore’s head and was headed home by Taylor from the edge of the six-yard box.

Fulham responded with a spell of pressure which almost brought them level. Malbranque had a low 18-yard drive turned around the post by Beresford. And when Malbranque’s resulting corner was headed clear, Sean Davis let fly with a long-range drive which curled inches wide of Beresford’s right-hand post.

While Boa Morte was receiving treatment on the sidelines West exploited his space on the right to set Ian Moore clear in the 35th minute.

Moore reached the ball 10 yards out and at an angle, but sent a deliciously controlled lob over the advancing Taylor to increase Burnley’s lead.

Moments later Boa Morte was substituted for Facundo Sava and cut a forlorn figure limping halfway around the touchlines to the dressing room.

Fulham's night went from bad to worse three minutes after the restart when Davis was sent off for a reckless challenge on Grant.

Burnley grabbed the opener in the 27th minute when West’s cross from deep on the left spun over Ian Moore’s head and was headed home by Taylor from the edge of the six-yard box.

Fulham responded with a spell of pressure which almost brought them level. Malbranque had a low 18-yard drive turned around the post by Beresford. And when Malbranque’s resulting corner was headed clear, Sean Davis let fly with a long-range drive which curled inches wide of Beresford’s right-hand post.

While Boa Morte was receiving treatment on the sidelines West exploited his space on the right to set Ian Moore clear in the 35th minute.

Moore reached the ball 10 yards out and at an angle, but sent a deliciously controlled lob over the advancing Taylor to increase Burnley’s lead.

Moments later Boa Morte was substituted for Facundo Sava and cut a forlorn figure limping halfway around the touchlines to the dressing room.

Fulham's night went from bad to worse three minutes after the restart when Davis was sent off for a reckless challenge on Grant.

Referee Dowd showed Davis the red card with little hesitation, while Grant returned to the field after treatment. Briscoe launched a dangerous ball into the box from the resulting free-kick but Andy Melville cleared.

Burnley pressed relentlessly and Grant recovered sufficiently to send in the 53rd-minute corner which led to Burnley’s third goal.

Drissa Diallo jumped highest in the box to send a powerful header high past Taylor for his first goal for the club.

The Clarets were content to knock the ball around to help the minutes tick by, while Fulham lacked any of the vigour needed to claw back what seemed to be a hopeless cause.

Ternent made his first substitution in the 75th minute when Paul Cook was introduced for Paul Weller.

And Burnley breezed through the remaining minutes while Fulham resigned themselves to their fate.

BURNLEY: Beresford, West, Diallo, Cox, Branch, Briscoe, Cook, Grant, Alan Moore, Ian Moore, Taylor.

FULHAM: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Djetou, Harley, Inamoto, Malbranque, Legwinski, Davis, Boa Morte, Saha.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire)

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