Reality finally dawns for Burnley

BURNLEY retain faith in an unlikely escape from an abrupt relegation after just one season among the elite clubs, but they are preaching to a dwindling band of like-minded believers.

Brian Laws’s side remain in Premier League purgatory thanks to favourable results elsewhere but after seeing Sunderland puncture the momentum generated by that defeat of fellow strugglers Hull City, it is surely only a matter of time before they have to accept relegation.

Four points shy of 17th place and with a vastly inferior goal difference, they must take a minimum of two wins from upcoming games with Liverpool, Birmingham and Tottenham. Even that may not be enough to keep the flickering survival dream alive.