Burnley celebrate Josh Brownhill's early goalImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Image caption,

Josh Brownhill (right) is Burnley's leading scorer with 13 goals this season

Burnley climbed into the Championship's automatic promotion places as a comfortable victory at Swansea City stretched their unbeaten league run to 25 games.

Burnley took charge in the opening stages when Josh Key's unfortunate error led to a simple close-range finish from captain Josh Brownhill.

Jaidon Anthony fired Burnley's second goal high into the net midway through the first period.

Scott Parker's team never looked like surrendering their grip on the contest as they set a new second-tier record by registering a 27th league clean sheet of the season.

The Clarets move up to second, a point better off than Sheffield United who go to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.

Swansea stay 16th after a second consecutive defeat, though the gap to the relegation zone has narrowed to six points with eight matches remaining this season.

This was the fifth and final game of Alan Sheehan's second stint as Swansea's caretaker boss, with the club due to make a decision over longer-term managerial plans next week.

The Irishman's latest spell in charge has been largely positive, but they were on the back foot against Burnley from the moment Key trod on the ball and fell over, allowing Marcus Edwards to waltz into space down the left before crossing for Brownhill to tap home.

Swansea had still not going by the time Burnley doubled their lead, with Anthony drilling home at the third time of asking after the home defence had blocked his initial effort and another from Zian Flemming.

Lawrence Vigouroux then palmed away Edwards' 20-yard drive before Swansea finally offered something going forward late in the first period.

Home appeals for a penalty were turned down when Goncalo Franco's shot appeared to strike CJ Egan-Riley's arm, then Liam Cullen's header flew too close to James Trafford.

Ben Cabango and Zian Flemming compete for a headerImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Image caption,

Defeat was Swansea's second in five matches since Alan Sheehan took the reins following the departure of Luke Williams last month

Burnley's goalkeeper was named in the England squad this week, but had few opportunities to show why as Swansea toiled going forward.

Parker's side ought to have stretched their lead early in the second half when Anthony danced inside Ronald's challenge only to curl a shot beyond the far post.

Swansea kept plugging away, conjuring their best chance in the final quarter when Josh Tymon picked out the unmarked Ronald but his header flew the wrong side of the post.

Burnley were untroubled from that point on as they further improved an extraordinary defensive record - and asked a question of the Blades before the Steel City derby.

Swansea caretaker boss Alan Sheehan:

"It wasn't a good start. Two slips on the ball, they had a quick counter and finished the action. You can't turn the ball over in those areas against this kind of team.

"We knew the first goal was going to be really important. Then the second goal we didn't defend the box well enough. It's going to be an uphill battle from there.

"It's our fourth game in 10 days, the squad has been really stretched and there were a few tired bodies out there, but in terms of application, the lads have given everything but just lacked a bit of quality again today.

"There's no excuses from me today. The players gave everything."

Burnley head coach Scott Parker:

"Overall it was a really professional performance. We started the game really well in terms of our intensity, breaking out of certain areas and then executing with two goals.

"Then we managed the game, a really professional performance, I felt the game was constantly in our hand.

"The most crucial thing [is winning games]. It's 25 unbeaten now. I don't really have any interest in what others are doing. We just need to keep chalking off the wins."

Related topics