relegated | 

Roy Keane rips into Burnely's owners as their Premier League days come to an end

The Clarets slipped out of the Premier League as a late fightback was not enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle and their former boss Eddie Howe.

A Burnley fan reacts following defeat and relegation to the Championship. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Kevin Palmer

Roy Keane didn't hold back in his criticism of Burnely's owners, as he suggested their decision to sack manager Sean Dyche was a mistake that cost them their Premier League status.

The Clarets slipped out of the Premier League as a late fightback was not enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle and their former boss Eddie Howe.

They had looked down and out after Callum Wilson punished an inexplicable Nathan Collins handball from the penalty spot and Newcastle’s top-scorer was given the freedom of the Burnley box to score an easy second on the hour mark.

Maxwel Cornet powered home a Burnley reply in the 69th minute and, when word came through of a Brentford equaliser against Leeds moments later, Burnley responded with their best spell of the game, pegging back Newcastle and forcing corner after corner.

But Cornet headed their best chance straight at Martin Dubravka three minutes from time and, as Jack Harrison secured a 2-1 win for Brentford, Burnley, who celebrated their 140th anniversary a few days ago, saw their six-year stay in the Premier League come to an end.

It was a cruel finish for the Clarets, who had made themselves favourites to avoid the drop, with a battling draw at Aston Villa on Thursday night the latest point picked up by Mike Jackson, who had taken 11 from eight games since replacing the sacked Sean Dyche last month.

"Who said it was a good decision to get rid of Sean Dyche at Burnley? Crazy," declared Keane on Sky Sports.

"Dyche would have done a good job to the end of the season if given the chance. He and his staff have been there and done it.

"When he left there was talk about there being a reaction, a reset – rubbish! No sympathy for Burnley."


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