Sean Dyche admits Norwich defeat is a 'huge setback' in Burnley's survival hopes

Joe Hewlett
10 April 2022

Sean Dyche could not hide his frustration after his Burnley side were unable to close the gap on 17th placed Everton.

Goals from Pierre Lees-Melou and Teemu Pukki inspired Norwich City to victory over relegation rivals Burnley at Carrow Road.

It's a huge blow for the visitors' hopes of remaining in the Premier League after Everton recorded a win against Manchester United.

They are now four points ahead of Burnley - who before the weekend - were just one point behind the Toffees after beating them 3-2 on Wednesday.

Dyche admitted Maxwel Cornet's miss had a huge impact on the result.

"We find ourselves back to last week but we were expecting after that good result in the week to take this one on and close that gap," Dyche said.

"We can't miss chances like that when Maxwel Cornet gets one at the back post. He's done well for us this season. We'd like a lucky goal, trust me. But we have to take the game on and be better than that in the front third.

"We still tried to open them up and knocked on the door a few times. Over the season we have to correct that. It's the biggest challenge now. Defensively we've been pretty solid over the season but we haven't asked enough questions with enough quality in the final third."

Burnley have eight games to keep their Premier League status and Watford are one of the teams they will play.

Dyche remains upbeat about the Clarets chances of staying up.

"It was a huge setback after a huge step forward. It's still the same challenge but a game down. It might come easier in a strange way when people write you off. Virtually everyone will think we're done but we don't think that.

I"t was a big step forward in the week and a big step back today. We didn't quite find the moments or the edge. There was not much in the performance apart from taking your chances. We had a lack of clarity when we get into attacking positions

"We have eight to go, the league table looks almost identical to before Everton (the gap)."

Dyche added: It is not a lack of quality, we have had years of being in the Premier League and we have found those moments, it is delivering it. There is a difference."