Burnley

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Burnley boss Vincent Kompany admits he loves the hectic Premier League Christmas schedule, despite claiming it "doesn't make sense".

The Clarets face Fulham, Liverpool and Aston Villa in the space of a week as they look to haul themselves out of the bottom three.

But rather than bemoaning the number of games, Kompany has learned to embrace it.

"I love it," Kompany said, "because it doesn't make sense. I've always loved it.

"It is a romantic feeling of England sometimes, the country of common sense. Things that don't make sense get appreciated by everyone. During the Christmas period, your families are travelling in and there are so many people in your house.

"If you have half a smile, that might have an impact on your game the next day because you're in a different mindset.

"And yet it is the most special period of the year. You get tested physically and mentally. You never see as many happy faces in a stadium as during that period. I always had Swansea away on New Year's Day for some reason! In the one hotel that was having the festivities and with an early kick off.

"Why? I don't know, but I came to enjoy it."

Kompany denied he was frustrated by the fact he and his side are travelling to London so close to Christmas.

He added: "I'm not complaining and I won't let the players either. It is part of the culture."

Joe Redmond, Turfcast, external

There is no sugar coating it - Burnley's Premier League campaign has been poor. We are nearly halfway through the season and we are second from bottom with just eight points.

The majority of the fan base has now accepted relegation, with only the blindly optimistic still thinking we can get out of it.

To put things into perspective, Burnley will need to be looking at getting another 25 points minimum to be in with a shout of survival, probably more to actually stay up. That is 1.19 points per game, when so far Burnley have managed 0.47.

So, if I was going to ask Santa for anything it would just be a simple request - three points please. Because you know what it is like - despite everything I have just said, three points this weekend in a tough game against Fulham will give us all some hope again, and perhaps more importantly, some Christmas cheer.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany says Saturday's opponents Fulham deserve credit for their approach to becoming a sustainable Premier League club.

Marco Silva's side finished 10th in their first season back in the top flight last season and find themselves 11th after 17 games this term.

Kompany says the Cottagers have built a competitive squad and are "ready" to challenge at this level.

"We always mention the Brightons and Brentfords who consistently built over a period of time to be successful," Kompany said in his news conference. "But Fulham in their own way are one of those clubs too.

"The profile of player has been carefully selected, there is cohesion in the squad now. They've gone down and come back stronger; a lot of the players are between the ages of 26 and 30 so are ready for this league.

"It is a healthy squad and they are a club that deserves a positive mention for the work they've done over the years."

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has been speaking before his side face Fulham on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• Kompany admits Fulham, Liverpool and Aston Villa means a tough festive schedule: "It is a tough fixture list. We can't make more about it than it is, the fixtures are difficult."

• Responding to criticism of Burnley's defending from set pieces: "Every game creates a story. This is the story of the last game. For us, in general, you can be in games as much as you want but those phases are key, all part of what you need to be good at to be in the Premier League. The main thing for us is to have belief so we get chances and key moments go both ways."

• On Lyle Foster's return from a mental health break: "I'm very cautious. This is a step on his rehabilitation process. His natural environment includes football and the goal is to put him back there. Playing makes him happy and he's able to do really good things when he's happy. It is good to have him back."

• Foster will not represent South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations in January: "I've made it clear he can't go. He loves his country, and it is an important tournament. I am an African coach; I want it to be on and equal level with the Euros. But the human Lyle Foster he needs to stay in an environment where he has the support of the experts and us. It is not my decision; he is not concerned by much beyond his own health."

• Kompany says there is a "dilemma" on January transfers: "It is fair to say it is a dilemma. Our squad will still improve because the players are improving, but whether we can go out in January and get the right type of players to turn it around and not expose yourself to something criminal if you go down, it is a fine balancing. If the right opportunity is there, I'm sure we'll be able to do something."

• On making sure Burnley can thrive in the Premier League: "Last year, the fact the club went down and then straight back up was in itself a small miracle. You have to count your blessings sometimes and just make sure that we are continuously improving. I will tell you now, my goal is that within three or four years' time this club is not just a team that is surviving but is a team that can thrive in the Premier League."

• Since beating Fulham 2-0 in May 2021, Burnley are winless in their past eight Premier League games in London (D4 L4), losing each of the past three in a row.

• Fulham have won 5-0 in their past two Premier League home games (against Nottingham Forest and West Ham). There have been three occasions in the competition's history of a team winning by 5+ goals in three in a row at home - Chelsea (April-August 2010), Manchester City (September-October 2017) and City again (May-August 2021).

• Burnley have picked up just two points in their 15 Premier League matches this season against sides who were in the Premier League last season (D2 L13). Indeed, five of the Clarets' past 10 top-flight wins have been against newly promoted teams, including both this season.

• Fulham's four Premier League games in December have seen 20 goals scored (13 for, 7 against), more than any other side. Their 13 goals scored is already the most the Cottagers have netted in a single month in the top flight since December 1966 (16).

• Burnley's Jay Rodriguez has made 249 Premier League appearances and could become the first player to reach 250 while playing for Burnley since Ashley Westwood in March 2021. He has two goals and two assists in his past three Premier League starts against Fulham.

• Willian has been involved in five goals in his past five Premier League home games for Fulham (4 goals, 1 assist), while team-mate Alex Iwobi has been involved in four in his past three at Craven Cottage (3 goals, 1 assist).

The annual feast of festive Premier League football is about to get under way.

So what is your best memory of following Burnley at Christmas?

Mince pies on the train for a Boxing Day away trip? Squinting through the snow to see your team score a late winner? Ending the year with a Christmas cracker?

Let us know here

Natalie Bromley, No Nay Never podcast, external

I'm not sure who decided to give the Burnley set-piece coach an extended holiday to the Bahamas, but can we have them back please? I'll go and pick them up myself if necessary.

While our ability to deliver an effective corner is questionable at times, our defending of them is much worse - we're abysmal. And it's having disastrous consequences for our season. It's naive enough to leave yourself so exposed against most of the teams in this league, but against a Sean Dyche side it's criminal.

I honestly thought we'd started to turn a corner with the performances of late - particularly Brighton last weekend. But Everton was our worst home performance by a long way.

Relegation is inevitable now, if I'm being honest with myself. So it's time to focus on the pockets of positivity we can find each week: the improvements, the player progress, the manager progress and the plan for the future.

Starting with the utter joy of seeing Lyle Foster healthy and back on the pitch. And hearing the good news that Luton Town's Tom Lockyer is recovering well.

My best wishes go out to both of them, because those things are bigger than football.

Shamoon Hafez, BBC Sport

At the game at Turf Moor on Saturday, there was an almighty commotion close by the press box in the North Stand at certain points during Burnley's 2-0 loss to Everton.

A number of fans appeared to be jostling with each other, there was swearing and shouting going on, while stewards then came in to intervene.

Initially it felt as though there was a disagreement between home fans after Amadou Onana's opener, but the Clarets have now released a statement, external elaborating on the matter.

The club said: "We are aware of the problems that arose as a result of away supporters being in some home sections at Turf Moor for the match against Everton on Saturday.

"We have launched an immediate internal enquiry and want to assure our fans their safety is our top priority and the situation that arose was unacceptable."

Burnley travel to Fulham on Saturday and their next home game is against Liverpool on 26 December.

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's game between Burnley and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Peter: That was a dire performance. No passion, no ideas, incompetent defending, no idea of how to break quickly from defence. Too many players not off the required standard.

Taylor: Alan Pace has staked Burnley on Vincent Kompany. Kompany has a vision of how the team should play. Unfortunately the opposition are not playing ball. It was boys against men yet again, with the usual result. What brings it into sharper focus, is the opposition manager proving the difference an exceptional leader can make. For Burnley's sake, go.

Neil: We are too pedestrian playing out from the back. Teams have more than enough time to sort themselves out. Eventually we just end up getting ourselves into trouble. Mid-December and we don’t seem to have grasped what it requires to stay in the Premier League. Let's just hope Kompany sorts it soon as it would a very welcome Christmas present.

Steven: Really poor first half, slight improvement second half but for me men against boys. Everton were what we were like five years ago. Fantastic to see Foster back. Got to keep going!

Everton fans

Paul: Hope is something Evertonians have almost forgotten but Dyche has brought it back. Even with three changes to the defence, the team were still solid. The squad are all pulling in the same direction. When the 10 point deduction came in I hoped we’d be saying 'without the 10 point deduction Everton would be in Europe' - I’m hoping it’s true.

Keith: Everton are currently one of the Premier League's in-form teams. Dyche has got them playing as a team, even it's not pretty, they're winning and keeping clean sheets. I know it's not for a lack of trying but I would like to see Calvert-Lewin on the score sheet more. Come on Toffees.

Spider: The run continues and mentality is growing stronger. A lot of recognition needs to go to Sean Dyche. This team is unrecognisable from years gone by. Amazing, truly amazing. Long may it continue.

Mark: A performance which may not set the Premier League on fire but it shows that all the 'hard yards' are making the difference. Everton are much more resilient than the team we saw last year. Changes made because of injuries and suspension have also given a couple of players a chance to redeem themselves from the debacle of last season.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And Match of the Day 2 brings you a round-up of Sunday's games.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United

Listen to Saturday's commentaries here:

Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace

Burnley 0-2 Everton

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Former Burnley goalkeeper Paul Robinson feels the Clarets don't have enough quality in their squad.

Saturday's 2-0 loss to Everton means Vincent Kompany's side are six points from safety and have already suffered more Premier League defeats at Turf Moor this season than in the whole of 2021-22.

"Eight points from 17 games and another home game ticks away from Vincent Kompany," Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily.

"He has been sticking to his style. They have been a bit more pragmatic and against Sheffield United they went a little bit more direct. They dominate possession at times and look good with the ball, but in the final third they just lack that quality and the decision-making with the final ball.

"They are too easy to beat for me and haven’t got enough quality in that squad. You look at the players and they are a decent, hardworking team of honest players, but they just don’t have the quality and they are finding that every single week. It’s no coincidence they have beaten two teams in the Premier League – Sheffield United and Luton, two teams who came out of the Championship with them. Every other game they have struggled and the home form is what’s worrying for Kompany.

"Home should be a fortress when trying to stay in the Premier League and they are too easy to beat."

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, speaking to MOTD: "It is never a problem of not fighting. Today we were undone in both boxes.

"You can talk about everything in-between but in reality you have to be best in both boxes to win football matches and that wasn't the case today.

"Conceding on two set plays is extremely frustrating. Obviously you can call it last-ditch tackles and moments when the other team defends really well but the reality is we have to put chances away. That is the reality of the fight for us.

"The first half was not the level we have had recently. The second half was good and we created chances. If we were not creating anything I'd be more worried."

On fans still behind him and players: "This place is different. I can't explain why, it just is. The key is for us to every single time to repay these fans, and we do that by giving everything we have."

On Lyle Foster's return: "Lyle gave us something else. The second half was overall a good performance. We just have to put the ball in the back of the net now."

• Only Tottenham (18) have won more Premier League points away from home than Everton this season (16). The Toffees’ 16 points is already more than they won on the road in the whole of last season (15).

• Excluding penalties, Everton have scored more goals from set piece situations than any other side in the Premier League this season (10), with both of their goals today coming from a corner and a free-kick.

• Burnley have lost eight of their nine Premier League home games this season (W1) – it’s already as many defeats as they suffered at Turf Moor in their last top-flight campaign in 2021-22 (W5 D6 L8).

• Everton keeper Jordan Pickford has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season (6), with only Newcastle (7) keeping more than the Toffees overall (6).

• All eight of Everton’s Premier League wins this season have been while having less than 50% possession – more than any other team this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Robinson, former Tottenham and England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live:

"Turf Moor is not what it used to be under Sean Dyche.

"Everton have come here and done a job on Burnley. The way that they battle for second balls and work for each other - that's what Burnley used to do here and that's what kept them in the Premier League.

"Home form is key and they have been nowhere near it at Turf Moor, and especially on the road. It's going to be a long season for them.

"They have seen this type of relegation battle before, but they have seen a different team in this relegation battle before. They have seen a Sean Dyche team - a team that believe in themselves and work hard and play a different type of football.

"When you are inferior to your opponents, you have to affect them and make it hard for your opponents. Burnley are too easy. They don't offer enough going forward. The lowest a team has stayed up with at this point in the season is nine points and yet another game ticks away from them."

Manager Sean Dyche enjoyed a winning return to Burnley as his in-form Everton side picked up their fourth consecutive Premier League victory.

Dyche was in charge at Turf Moor for almost 10 years before being sacked last year, and there was no room for sentiment as his Toffees team ruthlessly moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

James Trafford made a superb save to keep out Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header, but Amadou Onana leapt above the Burnley goalkeeper from the resulting corner to nod in the opener from Dwight McNeil's delivery.

The visitors doubled their lead after 25 minutes as Michael Keane stroked in at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by Trafford and Dara O'Shea failed to clear the rebound.

Burnley looked to threaten in the second half as Zeki Amdouni forced Jordan Pickford into a fine save at full stretch and Sander Berge rattled the crossbar, but a bleak season continues as the Clarets remain second bottom and are now six points adrift of safety.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on darts star 'Hollywood' Chris Dobey, who supports Newcastle.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Unai Emery and Ange Postgecoglou have made a huge impact as managers in the Premier League this season, but Sean Dyche is right up there with the job he is doing at Everton.

Dyche has not done it in a different way, but his achievements are especially impressive when you consider what he has had to contend with - the stress levels and all the negativity around the club as well as their points deduction. He did well to keep them up last season too.

Now he is going back to his old club with an Everton team that has an identity and is playing well. Jarrad Branthwaite's suspension is a blow but I still think the Toffees will make it four wins in a row without him.

Dobey's prediction: 1-2

Find out all of Sutton's predictions for this weekend's games