Burnley beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Turf Moor on Saturday, as the Clarets out-battled their relegation rivals.
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Scott Arfield gave Burnley the lead after 12 minutes with a fine solo goal, but Charlie Austin equalized from the penalty spot against his old team before the break but Danny Ings put Burnley ahead, as the home side could have put the game out of reach in the second half.
The Clarets did hold on for a win, as QPR have now become the first team in Premier League history to lose their opening 10 away games of the season. Burnley now have 20 points and sit in 16th place, while QPR drop into the bottom three as they have 19 points.
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The Clarets got off to a dream start as Arfield cut in from the left flank in the 12th minute, nutmegged two QPR defenders and then curled home a calm finish. 1-0 to Burnley after a piece of individual brilliance from the Scottish midfielder.
QPR responded well as Austin struck the woodwork following a fine run from Adel Taarabt down the right, then the R’s won a penalty kick as Austin was taken down in the box and the former Burnley forward picked himself up to slam home the PK for his 13th goal of the season.
The away side were in the ascendancy as Joey Barton drove forward, played it to Eduardo Vargas who volleyed an effort towards goal which Tom Heaton saved superbly. However, just before the break Ings made it 2-1 as he lofted the ball over Steven Caulker, nutmegged the covering defender and slotted home. Burnley ahead at the break.
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In the second half Burnley continued to cause QPR so many problems as Ings and Ashley Barnes hounded the R’s’ backline and the Clarets also went close through a couple of set pieces which just missed their intended targets. Real controversy arrived late on as Barnes looked to have scored for Burnley but the officials waved out his strike for a foul on Robert Green in goal for QPR. Sean Dyche was incensed by that decision, as Green then saved superbly from Michael Keane late in the game with Heaton also denying Steven Caulker a stoppage-time equalizer.
The Clarets held on for a huge win.
LINEUPS
Burnley: Heaton; Mee, Shackell, Keane, Trippier; Boyd, Jones, Marney, Arfield; Barnes (Vokes, 73'), Ings.
Goals: Arfield (12'), Ings (37')
QPR: Green, Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Hill (Traore, 75'), Vargas (Zarate, 76') Henry (Zamora, 69'), Barton, Fer, Taarabt, Austin
Goal: Austin (32')