Clarets grab vital win as Laws gets tough

BRIAN LAWS cut through the celebrations after his first win as Burnley boss by warning his jubilant players that no one is safe as the Clarets bid to win their battle for Premier League survival.

David Nugent and debutant Danny Fox grabbed the goals which ended a 12-game winless streak and sunk West Ham.

But Laws left the popular Chris Eagles out of the starting line-up and insisted he would not be afraid to make more tough decisions as he draws on his squad strength to see the club through.

Laws said: “In the next game it could be someone else who is left out even though we’ve won.

“Every decision we make is a tough one and the justification is there if you win the game.”

The Clarets were left clinging on for the win which lifted them above the Hammers and out of the relegation zone, with Nugent producing a delicious lob over Robert Green in the 14th minute.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola was left to bemoan his side’s poor start with new signing Benni McCarthy struggling, although he had an effort booted off the line by Leon Cort on the half-hour.

Fox sealed a dream debut for the Clarets in the 55th minute when he rifled home a right-wing free-kick after Jack Collison had given away the set-piece with a push on Tyrone Mears.

But the Hammers stormed back with Brazilian new boy Ilan stabbing home a loose ball in the 81th minute after Scott Parker had come close and Carlton Cole had a goal disallowed.

Burnley almost let the points slip away as substitute Mido sent in a low shot which bounced off the foot of Brian Jensen’s left-hand post.

Laws admitted he breathed a sigh of relief, adding: “Now we’ve got that result under our belts we can march on.

“We can go to Fulham and get a result.”

Zola refused to be too downhearted, though the Hammers have slipped back into the relegation zone with only one win in the last 10 games.

He said: “We have to be quick to get the new players into our system. Mido was magnificent and Ilan scored. My only regret is the first 20 minutes we weren’t good enough.”

MATCH RATING: *** – West Ham made up for their poor start by throwing everything at Burnley in the last 10 minutes. It wasn’t enough, but it made for a nail-biting finish.

Referee: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire): 7/10 – Webb celebrated his call-up for the World Cup in South Africa this summer with another competent display.