Burnley marked their return to the Sky Bet Championship with a deserved 4-1 win against Luton as Scott Parker opened his tenure with an emphatic victory at Kenilworth Road.
Luton finished above their visitors in last season’s Premier League relegation zone but were second best throughout as they began life back outside the top flight.
The Hatters were undone by first-half goals from Josh Brownhill and Wilson Odobert as Burnley asserted their dominance.
Opening night delight ✚3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/uc4IiScnrt
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 12, 2024
Tahith Chong pulled one back shortly after the break but any hope home supporters had of a fightback were promptly extinguished as Dara O’Shea headed in from a corner before Vitinho lashed in a fourth to hand Parker the perfect start.
His side had taken the lead after six minutes and the goal owed to the vision and passing of debutant Lucas Pires. The left-back, a summer signing from Brazilian side Santos, collected a square ball from Odobert inside his own half, scanned ahead and dinked a weighted pass through for the onrushing Brownhill, who took a touch to lose Zack Nelson then swept a finish between the legs of Thomas Kaminski.
Burnley’s second was almost a carbon copy of the opener. This time, it was Connor Roberts in the opposite full-back position whose awareness and cutting through-ball made the chance, bending his pass from deep over defender Joe Johnson and into the path of Odobert, who controlled it on the run and with his second touch buried it.
Luton nearly hit back in the first minute of the second half, last season’s top scorer Elijah Adebayo rising high to beat goalkeeper James Trafford to a looping ball and sending a header spinning against the crossbar.
Odobert found himself with room to shoot from the edge of the box after a driving run through the middle from Luca Koleosho but this time Johnson stuck touch-tight to his man and deflected away the French forward’s effort with a fine sliding block.
Moments later O’Shea drew a superb one-handed save from Kaminski with a left-footed pile-driver from 12 yards, before Vitinho got free around the back from Odobert’s header and, from an awkward angle, volleyed against the foot of the post.
Burnley ought to have been out of sight before Alfie Doughty stayed onside to head the ball back across goal from a deep cross and Chong stole in unmarked to tap in for what had looked an unlikely lifeline.
It would be whipped away as suddenly as it came, and Luton had their own defensive hesitancy to blame. In the 72nd minute, O’Shea rose to meet a floated corner from Pires and neither Johnson nor Reuell Walters were alert enough to challenge as the defender’s header dropped into the net beyond Kaminski.
Vitinho crashed home Burnley’s fourth late on as the ground began to empty, exploiting the gaps left as Luton pushed up in vain to search for a way back.
[(Oxford United F.C.) Strength]: 1. Oxford United F.C. are in poor form recently, and they are motivated to win this home game to bounce back.2. Oxford United F.C. defeated Colchester United F.C. 1-0 at home in the last round of EFL Cup and advanced.3. Oxford United F.C. scored 6 goals in the last 5 games with a remarkable offense.[(Oxford United F.C.) Weakness]: 1. Oxford United F.C. lost 0-1 awa...
[(AFC Bournemouth) Strength]: 1. After scoring twice in the first game, AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo provided an assist to help his teammate find the net in the last game, securing a victory with an outstanding individual performance.2. AFC Bournemouth beat Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 1-0 in the last Premier League game to grab the first league win in the new season, giving a boost to ...
[(Pafos FC) Strength]: 1. In the first leg, Pafos FC turned the tables as the away team to defeat Crvena Zvezda, seizing the initiative for progression. In this match, they only need to secure a draw to earn a spot in the main tournament of the UEFA Champions League. The team will inevitably focus on solid defense, will not be too aggressive, and their motivation to fight for a win is relatively l...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Bruno Fernandes Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool New Strikers this week It didn't take much to knock Bruno off his penalty stride 18 Year old - Lamine Yamal celebrated his GF - Nicki Nicole's 25th Birthday in style.. Thoughts Los Blancos have truly secured themselves not one, but TWO future Legends! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Cred...
Hojlund close to leaving Man UtdPer Fabrizio Romano, Napoli are in advanced talks with Rasmus Hojlund over a loan move to the Italian side. The loan deal will also include an obligation to buy next season. Both parties are now discussing the personal terms as the Serie A giants are pushing to complete the deal soon.Chelsea remain interested in Xavi SimonsPer Sky Sports' Florian Pletteberg, Xavi Si...
Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier LeagueJack Grealish says he "didn't enjoy football as much" towards the tail end of his time with Manchester City following his loan move to Everton.WHAT HAPPENED?Grealish bagged two assists in Everton's 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday in their first competitive game at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Following his full debut for the Toffees, the 29...
Yunus Musah landing spotsThe once-promising U.S. international midfielder needs a reset, and GOAL looks at the best options for the 22-year-old Once touted as a foundational piece of the U.S. men’s national team and ranked among the world’s top 60 prospects in 2019, Yunus Musah, now 22, finds himself fighting to reignite his career with the 2026 World Cup less than a year away.It has b...
Real Betis Balompie v Chelsea FC - UEFA Conference League Final 2025Bayern Munich have agreed personal terms with Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as the Bundesliga champions look to bolster their attack with a new forward. Bayern are eyeing a loan move for the Senegalese forward and will now initiate transfer talks with the Blues. Jackson has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this ...
Manchester United v ACF Fiorentina - Pre-Season FriendlyKobbie Mainoo is reportedly open to leaving Manchester United this month after struggling for game time under Ruben Amorim.WHAT HAPPENED?According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Mainoo is "ready to leave United on loan this month" and he is yet to receive a new contract offer. The Red Devils are said to be open to a permanent exit but he still ...
Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao - Pre-Season FriendlyRoma will reportedly hold a 'crucial meeting' with Liverpool in a bid to sign Kostas Tsimikas amid interest from Marseille.WHAT HAPPENED?According to Football Italia, Roma and Liverpool representatives will meet on Monday to discuss a possible Tsimikas transfer. The Italian giants are said to be keen on a loan deal but Marseille are also keepin...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC