Howe rues missed opportunities in Burnley defeat

By Jonathan Nagioff (@jonathannagioff)

Eddie Howe says his side struggled to cope with Burnley’s attacking threat but was left to rue missed chances in the 3-1 defeat at Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries were comfortably beaten in a lacklustre display as the Clarets fought back from a goal down to move to within a point of Bournemouth in 14^th, despite starting the day in 17^th.

Ashley Barnes’ headed own goal had given Bournemouth an early lead, but errors from goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on Chris Wood’s leveller and Barnes’ third as well as a mistake from centre half Chris Mepham on Ashley Westwood’s second proved costly, as Burnley eased to victory.

“The manner of all three goals is disappointing,” Howe told the media afterwards.

“We can’t make those types of errors against Burnley, but we have to take collective responsibility.

“We made too many bad decisions on the ball as well and we took Nathaniel Clyne off because he was on a yellow card.

“We have to be better next week.”

Despite the heavy scoreline, Callum Wilson spurned two glorious chances the first with the scores at 2-1, with the England forward heading David Brooks’ cross over, whilst unmarked in the box.

Wilson then fired over again in stoppage time after Ryan Fraser’s cross fell straight to his feet and Howe says Bournemouth had enough opportunities to salvage something from the game, despite Burnley’s dominance.

“We will always credit the opposition,” Howe explained. “But we did not deal well with Burnley’s threats and we didn’t deal with them well enough.

“We had enough chances to score more than one goal and that’s a huge frustration for us, but the biggest disappointment is that we didn’t turn the screw in the second half.

“We weren’t able to build pressure and that didn’t really come which is the biggest disappointment.”

Burnley boss Sean Dyche was pleased with his side’s display and felt Bournemouth rarely threatened his side.

Dyche told the media afterwards: “We returned the scoring early and I thought we were knocking on the door I thought we were asking questions all the way through and particularly the first half and then we go in front.

“I think they missed a big chance, Wilson’s header.

“(They) didn’t create that much after that really until right at the death and we did, we kept probing, we kept asking questions.

“So I think when you add it all together and the professional diligence to see the game through apart from at the very very end with not too many questions asked then I’m really really pleased with that overall because they’re a good side.

Bournemouth had only lost on four previous occasions at Vitality Stadium prior to kick off, however Dyche said he was always confident of picking up a result.

“You know what I think of Eddie and what he does here and his team. I think they’ve only lost four here this season although they’re on an up and down run.

“So, we knew it’s a tough place to come, we know that. But equally we know the form we’re in, the mental form we’re in, the clarity of what our players are playing, the way that were playing, that’s really pleasing.”

Next up for Bournemouth is a trip to Brighton next week, whilst Burnley face 18^th placed Cardiff.