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Burnley took on Southampton on the opening day of the season for a second straight year and continued their good form against the Saints, with a 3-0 humbling of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams had early opportunities to put the visitors ahead, but the former had his tame effort saved by Nick Pope whilst Adams blazed over the bar.
Burnley did have the ball in the net, but fell foul of VAR as an offside was caught in the build up. Referee Graham Scott referring to his video assistant team to ensure the right call was made.
Johann Gudmundsson then shot just wide of the right post, as Burnley looked to take advantage of Southampton’s shaky defence. The Icelandic international not quite getting enough accuracy on his shot, despite worrying Angus Gunn in the Southampton net.
Nathan Redmond then forced Nick Pope into a spectacular save as the Southampton man weaved through the defence before unleashing an effort from just outside the box.
The half ended with another wasted opportunity by Burnley, Ashley Barnes looking to take advantage of a fortuitous rebound but lashed the ball high over the goal for a goal kick.
The second half came and Burnley put Southampton to the sword with three quick goals to put the game to bed.
Erik Pieters lumped the ball up the pitch, which Jannik Vestergaard floundered at, missing completely to allow Ashley Barnes the simple task of powering the ball past Angus Gunn to give Sean Dyche’s side the lead. Their first shot on target.
The duo combined yet again when Barnes finished coolly into the far corner after losing his man at the back post. Gudmundsson finished the tie on 75 minutes when his left footed effort nestled into that same corner.
Burnley saw out the game with little to worry about to earn their biggest opening day win since 1966. Dyche will hope his side can continue to perform as they did today. Ralph Hassenhuttl will want an immediate reaction, but with Liverpool visiting St Mary’s next week, the signs are bleak for the immediate future of the Southampton faithful.
