Burnley keep home fires burning

Second half goals from Steven Fletcher and Andre Bikey ensured Burnley maintained their unbeaten record at Turf Moor on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Birmingham.

Burnley had not beaten Birmingham in the last five meetings at their home ground going back 33 years, when both clubs were in the top flight.

But the Clarets’ defence proved watertight on Saturday despite gale force winds making life difficult on the pitch where they saw off the likes of Manchester United and Everton.

Fletcher and Bikey ensured the home side took three points which could prove valuable in the battle to stay in the top flight.

The two promoted sides drew 1-1 both times when they met last season in the Championship. But meeting each other for the first time in the Premier League Birmingham failed to worry their hosts.

Lee Bowyer missed a great chance to put the Blues ahead six minutes from the break when Roger Johnson hit a shot across goal and Bowyer missed the chance to finish off on front of an open net.

But Fletcher made no mistake when he fired in from inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal after 53 minutes.

Burnley had a chance for a second after 58 minutes but Fletcher’s effort hit the post.

But the hosts didn’t have to wait long for the second with defender Bikey, playing in midfield after a poor game last week, finding the net after 62 minutes.

The Cameroon international won the ball with a great tackle and then played a one-two with David Nugent to finish off with ease.

The visitors struggled to get back into the game before Sebastian Larsson pulled one back from a free kick just outside the penalty box before the final whistle.

Burnley have lost all of their away matches but their success in turning Turf Moor into a fortress has left the top-flight newcomers comfortably positioned in mid-table as Birmingham fall to just one point above the relegation zone.