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.

That redemptive 4-1 win at the KC Stadium a fortnight ago had prompted the return of belief to the smallest town in the top flight, but took only 45 minutes of almost unremitting Sunderland dominance to remind them the size of the task they have been facing this season.

They are operating in a cruel division, and the goodwill generated by their promotion or the laudably honest Laws has not been enough to sustain dreams of an extended stay in the Premier League.

The reality is it takes cold, hard cash to establish yourself, as Sunderland will testify. Their first goal saw the Black Cats’ January loan signing Alan Hutton – who Sunderland want to sign permanently for £9 million – supply former Manchester United man Fraizer Campbell with a fizzing low cross that was tucked away with aplomb.

Their second came from the boot of a £10m man, England World Cup hopeful Darren Bent sweeping his 23rd goal of an impressive campaign past Brian Jensen after more good work from the energetic Campbell.

Sunderland could and should have had more. Steed Malbranque ran riot down the left flank, ably supported by a roving Kieran Richardson – pushed again into the left-back duty that manager Steve Bruce believes could earn him a recall to the national side.

Burnley improved markedly in the second half, and earned a lifeline when substitutes Robbie Blake and Steven Thompson combined to fire a smart 82nd minute goal.

It was just reward for a doughty effort and prompted a fresh sprinkling of optimism from the goalscorer. “As a professional you have to believe we can pull off the great escape and if you didn’t believe you shouldn’t be in the job,” Thompson said.

“It is certainly not over for us. I think two wins could still keep us up although we will be trying to win all three.

“We would like another five or six games to do it but, when you are forced into a situation like the one you are in, sometimes it brings out the best in you, like it did at Hull.

“When you have to do something, you often achieve it. At this time of the season strange things can happen. We are capable of doing it and we believe we can do it. At Turf Moor with the fans behind us we have proved we can be a different proposition.”

The reality for Burnley, though, is that these two clubs are moving in different directions, with Bruce planning for the future by giving former Cork City midfielder David Meyler a new five-year contract that will be signed this week.

Barring a horrific run of mid-season results that the natives have already christened their “winter of discontent”, it has been a season of progress for Sunderland, now mathematically safe with three games remaining.

Kenwyne Jones, another forward who made a major contribution, said: “Last season it went down to the last day and, even though we have had a blip, you can see the progress that has been made. And you can see by the quality we have in our team that we are not that far away from the top 10.

“This does feel like a club on the up. The club has always been a sleeping giant. With more investment and better players coming in we will definitely be going upwards.”

Bruce agreed: “Progress is being made, I think.

“Somebody told me that this is the most points Sunderland have picked up in 10 years and the most goals we’ve scored at home, surpassing even (Niall) Quinn and (Kevin) Phillips in the years they finished seventh, so overall I’m pleased.

“You look back and analyse those three months when we didn’t win a game and it’s unbelievable, you can’t put your finger on why, but there you have it.”

A more forensic investigation awaits Burnley and Laws when their fate is sealed.

MATCH RATING: *** – Sunderland’s control for much of the match meant it lacked a competitive edge, at least until Burnley caused some late concerns with their goal. But much to admire in Sunderland’s first-half performance, particularly two well-worked goals.

REFEREE: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire) 6 – A quieter day than the World Cup referee has endured recently. Dismayed a few Sunderland fans as he handed out yellow cards to their players, but got most of the big decisions right and did his best allow the game to flow.