Match ends, Southampton 0, Burnley 1.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche hailed his "fantastic" side after their narrow win at Southampton moved them level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea and fifth-placed Arsenal.
The victory, which came courtesy of substitute Sam Vokes' header with nine minutes left, moved the Turf Moor club on to 19 points from 11 games, their best start to a top-flight campaign since 1973-74.
The Clarets have collected 11 points on the road this season, four more than they did in the whole of 2016-17.
"I am delighted to be where we are but there are a lot of challenges coming our way," said Dyche. "The group know we will have to work hard for every point we get."
Vokes got in front of Southampton centre-back Maya Yoshida to nod home a cross from Johann Berg Gudmundsson to help the Clarets to their third away win of the season.
Dyche's team, who have only been beaten by leaders Manchester City on the road, had soaked up concerted pressure from the home side, with goalkeeper Nick Pope making a brilliant save to deny Yoshida early in the second half.
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But the introduction of Vokes and Ashley Barnes midway through the second half lifted Burnley and set up the victory.
Southampton had come closest to scoring before the break, with Pope thwarting Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond with excellent saves.
But the hosts ran out of ideas in the second half and dropped to 13th place with their third home defeat of the season.
Dyche's methods continue to impress
Dyche had yet again brushed off more speculation linking him with the vacant manager's position at Everton in the lead-up to this game.
But the win on the south coast showed again why the 46-year-old Englishman, who celebrated five years at Turf Moor earlier in the week, is so highly rated.
His side frustrated Southampton with a typically determined effort when they were without the ball, with captain Ben Mee and James Tarkowski in central defence stopping the home side from converting pressure into chances.
The patient approach paid off when Vokes took one of the few clear-cut chances to come Burnley's way, ensuring that the club's best start to a season in the top flight in 44 years continued.
Pellegrino's side lack punch
Striker Manolo Gabbiadini is the Saints' leading scorer so far this season with three of his side's nine goals, but he could not add to that tally against Burnley's resolute backline.
Manager Mauricio Pellegrino replaced him with Charlie Austin, at the same time as Dyche was making his decisive move, but the results of the substitutions stood in stark contrast.
While Burnley upped the tempo, Southampton's threat receded and the lack of spark in front of goal must worry Pellegrino after 11 games of the season.
Redmond and full-back Ryan Bertrand looked to be a danger from the flanks, but there was a lack of penetration through the middle to the frustration of some Southampton fans, who will be looking for some verve in their side after the international break.
Man of the Match - Nick Pope (Burnley)
What they said
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino: "We did everything we had to do against an opponent that was defending 90% of the game. We were much better than them in all different aspects of the game apart from efficiency. They had one chance and scored. It is really painful for us, we did everything. The intensity and football was good, but we lost.
"I don't want to talk about luck. In this aspect we need to improve our accuracy. Today the spirit of the team and the attitude was really good.
"We had to use this game as a reference about how I would like my team to play. We deserved more."
Burnley boss Sean Dyche: "Fantastic. The two that came on up front were a credit to their professionalism. They came on and really affected the game today and Sam Vokes' header was a fantastic finish. What a header.
"Southampton are a very technical team with people who can carry the ball. You have to be resolute in your defensive shape. I think it is a very important part of the game. We still have to fight for every chance we get but we are willing to do the graft.
Goal-shy Saints - the stats
- Southampton have failed to score in nine of their last 12 Premier League home games (W2 D4 L6).
- Burnley have kept clean sheets in five of their last eight top-flight matches, including both of the last two.
- Burnley have picked up 19 points after their first 11 games this season - their best record at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1973-74 (24 points - assuming three points for a win).
- The Clarets, who had picked up just one point after their first six away Premier League games last season, have already picked up 11 this season - more than they collected in the whole of last season on the road (seven).
- Four of Sam Vokes' last six Premier League goals have come from headers, with his last two goals being match-winners for Burnley; in this game against Southampton and against Chelsea on the opening weekend.
- Southampton forward Nathan Redmond has had 27 shots without scoring this season; no player has had more in the Premier League (Huddersfield's Tom Ince also has 27 with no goals).
What's next?
With domestic football taking a break because of international fixtures, Southampton do not play until Saturday, 18 November when they face Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 15:00 GMT). Burnley host Swansea City at the same time.
Line-ups
Southampton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 44Forster
- 2Cédric Soares
- 3Yoshida
- 17van Dijk
- 21Bertrand
- 14Romeu
- 8Davis
- 11TadicSubstituted forLongat 76'minutes
- 19BoufalSubstituted forWard-Prowseat 90'minutes
- 22Redmond
- 20GabbiadiniSubstituted forAustinat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Hoedt
- 7Long
- 10Austin
- 13McCarthy
- 16Ward-Prowse
- 23Højbjerg
- 38McQueen
Burnley
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 29Pope
- 2Lowton
- 5Tarkowski
- 6Mee
- 23Ward
- 17Berg Gudmundsson
- 16Defour
- 4Cork
- 12Brady
- 13HendrickSubstituted forBarnesat 65'minutes
- 11WoodSubstituted forVokesat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Vokes
- 10Barnes
- 18Westwood
- 22Lindegaard
- 26Bardsley
- 28Long
- 37Arfield
- Referee:
- Lee Probert
- Attendance:
- 30,491
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home63%
- Away37%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home9
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away4
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Southampton 0, Burnley 1.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Charlie Austin (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Maya Yoshida with a headed pass.
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. James Ward-Prowse replaces Sofiane Boufal.
Post update
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by James Tarkowski.
Post update
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ashley Barnes (Burnley).
Post update
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Jack Cork.
Post update
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Stephen Ward.
Post update
Offside, Burnley. Nick Pope tries a through ball, but Ashley Barnes is caught offside.
Goal!
Goal! Southampton 0, Burnley 1. Sam Vokes (Burnley) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Johann Berg Gudmundsson with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Steven Davis (Southampton) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Cédric Soares.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Robbie Brady (Burnley) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Shane Long replaces Dusan Tadic.
Post update
Charlie Austin (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by James Tarkowski (Burnley).
Post update
Steven Davis (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ashley Barnes (Burnley).
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Charlie Austin replaces Manolo Gabbiadini.
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Sam Vokes replaces Chris Wood.
Comments
Join the conversation
Another 3 points for the Clarets and a clean sheet 😀
UTC
As a previous poster has said, Saints keep doing the same thing expecting different results, something needs to change, formation!!!
Just hope that Sean Dyche doesn't grant the media their wishes and leave for Everton as with him at the helm until the end of the season, a top half finish is certainly achievable.
What a good time to be a claret.
19 points from 11 games having played City, Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Sixth in the Premier League is no fluke.
Why can't Burnley be better than Everton.
Yes punching above at the moment but another season in the Prem and then keep improving the squad.
The comments by some of the so called pundits regarding Dyche and Everton have been a disgrace towards Burnley.
UTC
Did mummy have to change your nappy as why you are on late posting your usual typed manure.
Markgeekbrat sad pathetic troll.
just because they've more money, we'll have money the way Sean is progressing us CLARETS?
No where near the quality every other team have yet a efficient style and a manager that can keep us in a game. That is a top quality in itself.