Fulham 2-3 Burnley: Slavisa Jokanovic and Sean Dyche reaction
Wednesday 9 March 2016 00:53, UK
Burnley manager Sean Dyche hailed Andre Gray as his 22nd goal of the season extended their lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship to four points.
The Clarets came from behind to win 3-2 at Fulham in a memorable game in which Sam Vokes also scored twice in a game they trailed 2-1 at the break.
Gray, who signed for around £7million from Brentford in the summer, held off Michael Madl before powering home from the edge of the area to leave Dyche particularly pleased.
"It was fantastic," he said. "Andre has a marvellous habit of not being disappointed to miss. He has so much power but Vokesy was tremendous as well.
"We were off in the first half but the reaction in the second half was top drawer. £37 and a half million is the number we paid for Andre! We want £55 million back! He's enjoying his football and still learning. He looks a threat in every game.
"They are making up a good partnership. It's not rocket science why we play 4-4-2."
To complete an excellent evening for Burnley, none of the other top six sides won as the Clarets maintained their position at the summit of the table.
"We can't worry about the other results, that's an anomaly, we can't control that. Tonight gives me belief in how we operate. You can't guarantee the outcome of every game.
"At half-time, I reminded the players of where we are. I reinforced where we are. And in the end we were clinical.
"Consistency is difficult to find. I expected a lot of my players but they are human. To deliver constant high-level performances is difficult."
Vokes had given Burnley the lead but Fulham were 2-1 ahead on 24 minutes after Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele both netted.
But Vokes' second half penalty and Gray's 61st-minute strike won it for Burnley and left Fulham just two points away from the drop.
"We played a very good game but in this game the result is more important," said boss Slavisa Jokanovic.
"It's very difficult when you need to score four to win the game. We need to be more solid to compete in this division. It's not acceptable.
"It's very complicated for us to score so many goals to win games, that's our problem. These goals do not give us enough points. They score goals always but it is true we are not enough solid to compete.
"It is the fifth penalty in nine games, it is too many penalties. It is so very easy to score a goal. We don't find many more benefits to make chances. This is our moment, we need to be more solid.
"This is our situation right now, we are under more pressure than a few weeks before. We need to be brave, be men and be ready to fight.
"Burnley can win promotion, they are top of the table with different targets to what is in front of us. But it's not my job."
