BURNLEY 0, LEEDS UNITED 4
Leeds United strengthened their hopes of a top 10 finish in their debut season back in the Premier League following a handsome victory at Burnley.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side turned on the style to record a ninth away league win of the campaign.
Goals from Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and a late brace from substitute Rodrigo earned the points which kept them 10th but increased the cushion between them and Aston Villa who are one plae beneath them.
Leeds were clinical with four goals from six on target goal attempts as they produced some eye-catching football.
Embed from Getty ImagesKlich was delighted with the victory: “Burnley away is a very tough place. They are a difficult side to play against, but we had our chances and won 4-0.
“When you score just before half-time and having the lead in the second half in the back of your mind is good. We knew they would come strong in second half. They did but we got more chances because they had to open up.
“We play high intensity but the squad is getting stronger. As you can see, we can still run and are fine.
“I can’t wait [for fans to come back] especially for the boys who have not played with the fans. It will be big for them.”
Burnley, meanwhile, who guaranteed Premier League survival with Monday’s win at Fulham, managed 16 goal attempts – the same number as Leeds – but apart from two decent blocks from goalkeeper Illan Meslier rarely looked like scoring.
This was also the Clarets’ heaviest home defeat for almost 18 months since Manchester City won 4-1 in December 2019.
Burnley have struggled at home this season managing only four Premier League wins and they are now without a victory in nine league games at Turf Moor.
Dyche said: “It was harsh in the way they were clinical, panned out as we expected. We started well and stopped that occurring, allowed a goal to their liking. They get two in front and we had golden chances and you can’t miss them. Leeds do concede as well as score and we shouldn’t have missed those.
“Those chances could have changed the feel of the game, their keeper makes two good stops. It’s hard to ask a lot more of my players, we had an emotional game on Monday and big result.
“I was expecting us to slide off it more than what we did really, but physically we were still at it. They were clinical, having a good run of form and great season. We look like we’re huffing and puffing just trying to see the season through – my players have worked hard.”
Dyche made one change after his side secured their Premier League safety for another season with victory over Fulham on Monday.
With number one Nick Pope absent through a minor knee injury, Bailey Peacock-Farrell started in goal.
Bielsa named two changes following the 3-1 win over Tottenham last Saturday, as he welcomed back midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Brazilian forward Raphinha. They replaced Robin Koch and Tyler Roberts.
Captain Liam Cooper, missing for the past four games because of suspension and then injury, returned to the bench.
Leeds were the more threatening side but were let down by the lack of a cutting edge.
Bamford forced an early save from Peacock-Farrell, Stuart Dallas had an effort deflected over and Pascal Struijk headed narrowly wide from six yards when he ought to have hit the target.
But their persistence paid off when they made a 44th minute breakthrough on the break.
Raphinha provided the assist, his eighth of the season, and Klich bent in a fabulous effort low to the left of Peacock-Farrell from the edge of the box, only the Pole’s fourth goal of the season.
Burnley were far more adventurous from the restart with Matej Vydra denied by a brilliant save by Meslier while Ashley Westwood and Chris Woos had efforts off target.
Against the run of play, Leeds doubled their advantage on the hour.
A corner was cleared to Ezgjan Alioski whose drive was flying well wide until Harrison deflected it low past Peacock-Farrell for his eighth goal of the season.
Burnley were denied for a second time by Meslier, this time another big block to block a shot from substitute Johann Gudmundsson shortly after his introduction.
Leeds made absolutely certain of victory with two goals from substitute Rodrigo which were two minutes and seven seconds apart.
The Spanish striker, signed for £26 million from Valencia last summer, was set-up by Harrison, got in-between central defenders Ben Mee and James Tarkowski and lofted the ball over the advancing Peacock-Farrell.
Harrison was the provider for the fourth goal with a cross to release Rodrigo who rounded Peacock-Farrell to slot home his sixth goal of the season.