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Swansea 1 - Burnley 0: Ki-Sung Yeung winner keeps fine Carlos Carvalhal form alive
SEAN DYCHE never stopped moaning, Carlos Carvalhal never stopped flapping.
Ki-Sung Yeung scored the all important goal
Two very different reactions from two very different managers – but both of which stemmed from the despair of witnessing one of the worst games this season. It was hard to blame either man.
It was a fine 77th minute strike from South Korea skipper Ki Sung-Yeung that proved the decisive moment.
However, while the midfielder was the hero on the pitch, few could argue it was Carvalhal’s shuffling of the pack, in such adventurous fashion, that earned Swansea a fifth home success on the bounce in all competitions.
And it indicated they were would provide a stern examination of Swansea’s remarkable improvement since Carvahal took control of a seemingly sinking ship.
Burnley have prospered with their direct approach this season, a style reflecting straight-talking Dyche, aka the Ginger Mourinho
Carvalhal, on the other hand, is this relentless chatterbox – both with the media and his players. He just goes on and on, admitted Tammy Abraham in midweek.
His infectious spirit, though, has spread to the pitch with devastating effect – and in midweek had inspired a record equalling 8-1 romp over Notts County in the FA Cup.
Yet, if we thought that would ensure plenty of action yesterday, it did nothing of the sort.
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Swansea failed to carve out a shot worthy of the title in the first half as they slammed into a defensive brick wall. Their best moment was in the 38th minute when Sam Clucas turned sharply but blazed high.
At the other end, it was a little better - if only because Burnley were under orders to pump the ball forward and let rip from any distance.
This did lead to a couple of ambitious efforts before the break, from Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes. However, neither troubled Lukasz Fabianski.
Sean Dyche's Burnley have lost their early season pace
It could only improve in the second half - and to be fair it did a bit.
Crikey, Fabianski even had to make a save in the 55th minute, with the Swans stopper tipping over a fierce angled drive from Johann Gudmundsson.
Burnley were unable to clear their lines sufficiently and there was Ki to pick up the pieces before drilling low and hard into bottom corner.
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