Owen shows perfect timing
SATURDAY was one of those games where substitutions played a role in determining the final result.
For Burnley fans, there was delight that Owen Coyle got his exactly right while Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, albeit for all the right reasons, got it wrong.
The Black Cats were the better side by far in the first half of the Premiership clash at Turf Moor but failed to capitalise on their dominance as the sides went in all square.
Burnley neutralised Sunderland in the first ten minutes of the half and after David Nugent put the Clarets in front again, they never really looked back.
Coyle had brought Nugent on for his home debut to replace Martin Patterson, but it was the next substitution, made by Bruce, which equally changed things in my book.
Sunderland's gaffer took off midfielder Steed Malbranque on the hour and replaced him with striker Kenwyne Jones, with the laudable intention of going for a win he believed was in his side's grasp.
But the key to Sunderland's first half superiority had been their dominance in midfield. Jones's entry to the fray did give Burnley extra space which they were able to capitalise on. Coyle introduced the speedy Chris Eagles to add some zip and within two minutes Wade Elliott had worked the cross for Nugent's goal.
Bruce seemed to realise his mistake, taking off striker Frazier Campbell and replacing him with midfielder Jordan Henderson, but it was too late. The Clarets having got the lead weren't going to let it slip this time and Nugent's high quality second, immediately elevating him to hero status, finished the game off.
Nugent was cup-tied for the midweek Carling Cup date at Barnsley, but when match fit will surely strike a strong claim for a starting place.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
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