Burnley

Image source, Rex Features

Scott Parker said Hannibal Mejbri's red card in the goalless draw with Stoke City was justified.

The Burnley boss told BBC Radio Lancashire he would talk to the player about his actions, after Mejbri appeared to stamp on Junior Tchamadeu following a challenge between the two players.

"I've got no real defence," said Parker. "This is a young player who has obviously crossed that line.

"We'll deal with that internally. Hannibal was actually devastated.

"I've been in the arena and sometimes in the heat of the moment emotions take force. He's crossed the line for us. He understands that and he will understand that in terms of going forward.

"Young players sometimes make mistakes and I'll address that with him."

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire commentator

Image source, Rex Features

What do Burnley need?

I think they'll be looking for some creative, flair players. Someone who might just be able to unlock a defence, whether that's through technical skill, pace or a combination of both. Adding another threat to the forward line will be a priority.

What sort of business are they likely to do?

It's a tricky one because they still have a big squad and they might want or need to move some players on in this window. That will impact what type of business they can do, whether it's loans or permanent deals.

How successful have they been in recent January windows?

Not very, but the club always says it's difficult for them to sign players in January. Sean Dyche always maintained this, and to some extent Vincent Kompany said the same thing.

However, I think the January window during Kompany's Championship-winning season was a big missed opportunity.

Any notable departures?

Mike Tresor is the most likely big name to leave. Burnley paid a substantial amount for the 25-year-old and even though he's fit and training with the squad, he's yet to feature this season.

How key is the window?

Automatic promotion will probably depend on it. They already look well set for a top-six finish but they may need a little more if they're to finish in the top two.

The final Championship fixture of the weekend features two promotion-chasing teams as Middlesbrough host Burnley on Sunday evening.

The sides drew 1-1 in an entertaining reverse tie at Turf Moor in early December but seventh-placed Boro have faltered a little since then, winning just once and letting slip a three-goal lead at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.

By contrast, the Clarets are flying high in third place, a point behind table toppers Leeds United, after extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches with a clinical away win over second-placed Sheffield United.

• Middlesbrough are winless in six league games against Burnley (D3 L3) since winning 1-0 in December 2015 under Aitor Karanka.

• Burnley won 2-1 against Middlesbrough at the Riverside last time out in 2022-23 – they've never won consecutive away league games against them.

• Middlesbrough have won their final league game of the year in each of the past three years, winning 2-1 in every game – against Blackpool in 2021, Blackburn in 2022 and Huddersfield in 2023.

• Burnley lost their final league game of the year 3-2 against Aston Villa in 2023 but haven't done so in consecutive years since between 2005 and 2010 (six in a row).

• Burnley manager Scott Parker has one win in five Championship meetings with Middlesbrough (D3 L1), winning 1-0 win Fulham in January 2020. His five games against them have produced just four goals (2 for, 2 against).

Image source, Rex Features

Manager Scott Parker praised his players for their display in the 2-0 win at Sheffield United.

Goals from Josh Brownhill and Zian Flemming either side of half-time secured a fourth straight win on the road for the Clarets, condemning the Blades to a first home loss of the season.

Parker, whose side are now just one point behind Sheffield United, spoke of his pride in the performance.

"It was a brilliant away performance all round," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We've got a very young squad and as individuals and as a team, we are learning things.

"I'm immensely proud of the team for how they came through today's game.

"They quietened the stadium early; they had a control which we were very comfortable to give them. We score a brilliant goal in the first half and in the second half we had our moments. Overall, it was a really solid performance."

Parker also made a special mention of Flemming's all round game after he scored in the second half.

"Zian did very well today, he has been exceptional in the last two games," he added.

"We're a passing and progressive team, looking to play in a certain way. But in certain moments, you need to go top line a bit earlier. He gave us that platform."

A big one on Boxing Day as third-placed Burnley travel to Championship leaders Sheffield United.

Both come into this game off the back of some decent momentum, the Blades are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches and the Clarets have not lost in their past nine.

• Sheffield United have lost their last three league games against Burnley, conceding 11 goals in the process. It's their worst losing run against the Clarets in club history.

• Following their 4-1 win at Bramall Lane in April, Burnley are looking to win consecutive away league games at Sheffield United for the first time.

• This is Sheffield United's eighth consecutive Boxing Day match played at Bramall Lane (W4 D1 L2) since an away defeat at Port Vale in 2014.

• Burnley have lost six of their last eight league matches on Boxing Day (W1 D1), losing each of their last three, all in the Premier League between 2018 and 2023.

• Burnley manager Scott Parker has never lost a league game against Sheffield United in his managerial career, winning two and drawing two of four games.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Scott Parker has confirmed his squad will train on Christmas Day before his side's trip to Championship leaders Sheffield United on Thursday.

Parker's side are on an impressive run of nine league matches unbeaten and, given that a win at Bramall Lane would put the Clarets just one point behind the Blades, the 44-year-old will not let his squad have time off during the festive period.

"We'll be in Christmas Day, we travel Christmas night," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We'll be in Christmas morning prepping and training. I realise it's difficult with families but we've got a job to do in this moment in time.

"It's a huge fixture for both teams really and we go there with a lot of confidence - we go there in a really good place and to go and try to get the three points.

"No doubt Chris [Wilder] and Sheffield [United] are in a similar place and they're going to be seeing it likewise but this is the reason we're in and around it- these big games."

Blackburn Rovers and Burnley want to sign former Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie from Spanish club Las Palmas, where the 28-year-old Scotland cap has spent just six months. (Sun)

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Burnley boss Scott Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire he could see his team adding attacking flair to defensive solidity in their win over Watford.

"Overall the performance was very good today and I thought we dominated for large parts.

"We get our noses in front, which is probably something we've been lacking a little bit, and were well worthy of our goal in the first half.

"The slight negative was we could have had a few more. The second half they changed their system, but credit to the boys, they recognised that fairly early and then caused them problems.

"Back end of the game after that goal goes in it's survival mode a little bit because there's no real tactics for that moment. You just need a group of men to manage the game and we did that very well.

"With this group there are loads that need improving, there are certain elements that don't.

"Defensively we've been pretty rock solid. Probably for the first time I looked at the team from the attacking phase of things that started to look like the team we want to be.

"At 2-0 up everything started to flow and everything looked very easy for us.

"The second goal was high-level technical ability and obviously it was a great finish from Browny (Josh Brownhill) as well."

Burnley are looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine games as they host seventh-placed Watford on Saturday.

The Clarets are third, four points behind leaders Sheffield United, and host a Hornets side who have taken just five points from their past nine away games, in stark contrast to their home record of 26 points from 10 matches.

• Burnley have lost just one of their past seven league games against Watford (W3 D3), never conceding more than one goal in any of those matches.

• Watford have won just three of their 23 away Football League games against Burnley (D7 L13), though all three wins have seen the Hornets score 3+ goals. In that time, Watford have managed to only keep two clean sheets.

• Burnley are unbeaten across their past 10 home league games (W5 D5), drawing each of their last two against Middlesbrough and Derby County. Not since August 2022 have the Clarets drawn three in succession at Turf Moor.

• Watford are unbeaten across their last six league games (W3 D3), last enjoying a longer run between March and April 2021 (eight games).

• Giorgi Chakvetadze has created more chances from open play than any other player in the Championship this season (40), while the Watford midfielder is second this term for dribbles completed (41).

Burnley are in advanced talks to sign Peru right-back Oliver Sonne, 24, from Silkeborg in a deal worth £2.5m. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Burnley boss Scott Parker says it is still too early in the season to be getting carried away with their impressive form and where they sit in the Championship table.

Sunday's 2-1 come-from-behind win at Norwich City made it eight games unbeaten in the league for the third-placed Clarets who are just one point short of the automatic promotion places.

With 21 games played, the Clarets are more than halfway through their league campaign but Parker is aware significant pitfalls could lie ahead, plus there is scope for his team to get better.

"It's a good platform but I don't take any notice of it, it's about us and the team we want to be," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire

"We need to worry about and focus on ourselves - the second-half is a performance and a group that will put is in good stead."

Burnley's last defeat in the league was at Millwall at the start of November and they have since won five and drawn three of the subsequent eight matches.

"It's still really early and we're nudging away and we need to keep improving," added Parker.

Burnley host seventh placed Watford on Saturday before a Boxing Day trip to the leaders Sheffield United.