Burnley score three times in 12 second-half minutes to bury Southampton

Three goals in 12 second half minutes helped Burnley ease to an opening day victory amid a display of ruthlessness in front of goal.  The Clarets had not managed a shot on target before the 63rd minute, but once they did, they stormed past Southampton.

Ashley Barnes has always thrived on a reputation as a Premier League pest, who loves to annoy defenders. But that hides a growing threat in front of goal as two more here added to a tally of 12 league goals last season.

He had been his usual busy self but when Jannik Vestergaard misjudged a long ball forward from Erik Pieters, Barnes drilled his shot unerringly through the legs of goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

If Pieters, making his debut after a summer move from Stoke, had claimed an unlikely assist for Barnes’ first, the combination for the second was deliberate as Barnes volleyed in from the Dutchman’s excellent long cross.

Then just to add good measure, Johann Berg Gudmundsson curled in a third after beating Ryan Bertrand to a bouncing ball.  The margin of victory was probably flattering but reflected the difference between the teams. Southampton were neat and tidy if lacking punch, whereas Sean Dyche’s team were clinical.

Yet it could have all have been so different if Saints’ new boy, Che Adams, had converted their best chance inside the opening two minutes. The striker, brought in for £15 million from Birmingham, saw his volley on the stretch from close range go inches wide of the post.

VAR was getting its first outing and the technology was used to rule out a goal for Chris Wood. He tapped in from a pass by partner Barnes, who was deemed offside from the initial ball over the top.

The system was used again by referee Graham Scott to check a challenge by Adams on home captain Bee Mee. It looked a bit clumsy in real time, but thankfully sense was seen and the match carried on, although the groans in the stands about this radical change to the game were growing.

As focus returned to the football, Nick Pope, making his first Premier League appearance since May 2018, produced a fine save to prevent Nathan Redmond giving Saints a half-time lead.

But Burnley’s purple patch after half-time changed the emphasis and Barnes almost had an opening day hat-trick but for a sprawling save from Gunn.

There was only one place between these two sides last season, but on this showing, Burnley look a better bet to finish higher than their 15th place, whereas that killer instinct in front of goal could be a problem for Southampton all season long.