Eagles helps Clarets to soar

Eagles: Double for Burnley

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Chris Eagles hit a second-half brace as Burnley won 2-0 at home to Norwich City to stretch their unbeaten run to five games.

Former Manchester United youngster Eagles opened the scoring on 55 minutes when he converted Chris McCann's cross.

And, five minutes later, Eagles made the points safe as this time he turned home a ball into the box from Robbie Blake.

The promotion-chasing Clarets have now won three and drawn two of their last Championship outings but they could find no way past Glenn Roeder's men during a hard-fought opening 45 minutes.

The visitors held their own and Canaries midfielder Darel Russell drilled a left-foot shot wide from 12 yards after just 39 seconds.

Leroy Lita then collected possession in the sixth minute and hit a right-foot shot from 18 yards which warmed Brian Jensen's hands.

Burnley signalled their own threat a minute later when striker Steve Thompson drilled a right-foot shot from 12 yards against a post.

Moments later Clarets defender Clarke Carlisle fired goalwards from six yards and in the 19th minute they fashioned another opening when Joey Gudjonsson had a long-range strike blocked by Elliot Omozusi.

Norwich threat

In the 21st minute, Burnley winger Wade Elliott drilled a right-foot shot from 12 yards which forced Norwich defender John Kennedy into a fine block.

However, Norwich remained a threat and Sammy Clingan volleyed a right-foot shot wide from 18 yards.

In the 29th minute, Burnley went close again when Blake crossed and Thompson headed over the crossbar from six yards.

In the 33rd minute, home midfielder McCann rifled a shot goalwards from 25 yards but the save was comfortable for Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall.

As the interval approached, Eagles thrashed a 30-yard shot narrowly wide in the 38th minute.

Clarets midfielder Gudjonsson then earned a booking for unsporting behaviour a minute later before Marshall denied Burnley defender Graham Alexander from 25 yards after Blake had volleyed wide from a similar distance.

Burnley stepped up the tempo after the restart and were rewarded within 10 minutes when Eagles claimed his opening goal.

McCann advanced forward down the left flank and whipped in a fine cross which Eagles fired home right-footed from 12 yards.

The goal instilled confidence into the Clarets and on the hour mark they made the game safe when Eagles grabbed his second.

The lively Blake found space on the right wing and delivered a teasing cross which Eagles again dispatched with another fine right-footed finish.

Blake came close to adding a third for Burnley but Marshall made a fine parried save from his free-kick.

McCann then headed wide in the 67th minute and further chances came and were spurned by the Clarets as substitute Kevin McDonald and Elliott both went close.