Burnley moved out of the bottom three of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Southampton at Turf Moor this afternoon.
Ashley Barnes's deflected second-half strike was the only thing to separate the two sides, after Dusan Tadic failed to convert a penalty which would have given the Saints the lead.
Southampton's winless run has now stretched to five games in the top flight.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes that unfolded and assesses whether the result was fair.
Match statistics
BURNLEY
Shots: 7
On target: 2
Possession: 40%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 15
SOUTHAMPTON
Shots: 15
On target: 4
Possession: 60%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 11
Was the result fair?
Neither side took full control of the game and both had decent spells here and there, but, overall, Burnley deserved all three points for their sheer determination and work ethic. Southampton looked a shadow of their former selves and only showed glimpses of impressive attacking play in the final third. Burnley looked more comfortable on the ball and with Barnes, Danny Ings and George Boyd linking well, there was always a threat.
Burnley's performance
They started the stronger of the two sides in the first half, but they allowed Southampton to find their feet as the game went on. Impressive performances from Boyd and Kieran Trippier kept the home side on top for large spells of the game. Ings's hunger was a major part in the winning goal and, while Burnley received a slice of luck with a deflection off Toby Alderweireld, Barnes still had plenty of work to do to find the back of the net.
Southampton's performance
Ronald Koeman's side never really found their stride. They were impressive last time out against Manchester United and were unlucky to lose, but they struggled to find the same level of intensity at Turf Moor. Play was sloppy and, while Graziano Pelle displayed some brilliant touches, his teammates failed to utilise his skills often enough and a goal threat was lacking. The Saints should have been in front in the second half when they were rightly given a penalty, but Tadic's effort was saved by goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Kieran Trippier: The 24-year-old consistently delivered crosses into dangerous areas and was able to get himself into good positions from right-back. Not only was his attacking play impressive, Trippier made sure that he defended for the team and made some vital clearances throughout the match.
Biggest gaffe
Southampton made a catalogue of errors leading up to the one and only goal. They attempted to play the ball out from the back, but Nathaniel Clyne struggled to hold off pressure from Ings and let the ball slip away from him. That mistake allowed Ings to latch onto the ball and play it through to Barnes, who found the back of the net.
Referee performance
Mark Clattenburg rightfully awarded Southampton a penalty when Ryan Bertrand was taken down by Boyd, but the official did not have many other big issues to deal with and the decisions that he did make were correct.
What next?
Burnley: The Clarets will face Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the league next Saturday.
Southampton: The Saints will face Sheffield United in the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Danielle Joynson
