Saturday 2 January 2016 18:39, UK
Sean Dyche felt Burnley were the better team in a keenly-contested 0-0 draw against Ipswich at Turf Moor.
Sean Dyche felt Burnley were the better team in a keenly-contested 0-0 draw against Ipswich at Turf Moor.
Ben Mee had the ball in the net for the hosts, but his effort was chalked off for a foul by referee Peter Bankes in a game of few chances otherwise.
Burnley prevented Ipswich from winning a sixth away game in a row and Dyche was keen to dwell on the positives from his team's performance in the Sky Bet Championship tussle.
Burnley manager Dyche said: "It was a tight game. We've had the best chance, and then a couple of maybe better chances, but it was a tight affair against a side who've just won five on the trot away from home.
"They make it hard, the ball comes forwards virtually any time it's near their back line, and I thought we dealt with that very well.
"We did well with all the first balls, second contact, the ugly side of the game.
"But coming off two 4-0 wins and getting another clean sheet - I think that's nine this season - that side of the game is pleasing.
"I didn't think it was a foul for Ben Mee's goal, and it doesn't look like it on the monitor afterwards.
"Their two defenders are screening their own keeper, so our two centre-forwards are just with them, but any form of contact now and it's some form of foul."
Ipswich's Ryan Fraser saw a 25-yard effort sail just wide, but Burnley and England goalkeeper Tom Heaton was relatively untroubled as Freddie Sears also failed to hit the target with two long-range attempts.
Andre Gray had Burnley's best chance at the other end, but turned Michael Kightly's cross wide.
And, before half-time, Mee's header was cancelled out for a foul in the build-up.
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy said: "I think it was a great game, it was a tough game. The marker was made on the very first challenge and it continued until the 90th minute.
"It was two teams who were really competitive, neither were going to give an inch. There weren't a lot of chances, two or three shots Tom Heaton's had to save, but they've gone straight down his neck. I'd take a 0-0 draw, I think it is probably fair.
"The two wide players are good players, we missed Luke Hyam, he was out for four months, and it coincided with a real dip in our form when him and Murphy hadn't scored. And I think Freddie Sears has been a star all season.
"Burnley are a good team, with a good team ethic, and a real toughness about them. We are both behind the likes of Derby and Middlesbrough in terms of spending power, but we've got that team spirit that goes a long way.
"Burnley are the same, but they came up against a good team today."
