Captain’s touch steadies Turf Moor as Burnley claim a vital first win

Burnley needed a performance to make Turf Moor believe, and their new captain delivered it. Josh Cullen curled the opener two minutes after half-time from Jaidon Anthony’s deft flick, then threaded a late pass that sent Anthony through to round Robin Roefs and finish the job in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland.

After last weekend’s defeat at Tottenham, this felt big. The Clarets controlled long spells of the first half without carving much, rode out a chalked-off Lyle Foster goal and a floodlight interruption, and then showed the clarity that counts. Energy, discipline and two moments of quality carried them across the line.

Cullen and Anthony: the one-two that calmed a nervous afternoon

The breakthrough came from quick feet and a cool head. Anthony received on the edge, flicked smartly into Cullen’s path and the captain guided a low finish into the far corner to release the tension around Turf Moor. It was a strike befitting the armband—measured, decisive and perfectly timed.

As Sunderland pushed late on, Burnley picked the perfect moment to counter. Cullen’s whipped ball pierced the visitors’ back line and Anthony did the rest, racing clear to round the goalkeeper and slide home. Between them, they produced the finesse that decided a tight game.

Nerves, whistles and flashing lights—then composure

Burnley’s first roar came and went when Foster’s first-half finish was ruled out for a foul on Jenson Seelt, the referee’s whistle sounding before the ball hit the net and VAR supporting the call. Scott Parker considered it on the soft side, but his players didn’t dwell; they reset and kept probing.

Even a second-half floodlight issue, which halted play just as Burnley were pressing for a clincher, didn’t knock them off course for long. When the game resumed, the structure held and the hosts continued to funnel the match toward their strengths—duels, pressure on the ball, and space to break.

Steel at the back, a platform up front

The win owed much to concentration without the ball. Martin Dubravka’s early save from Eliezer Mayenda kept the slate clean, and after the opener the back line squeezed out danger, restricting Sunderland to hopeful moments. The visitors did not find a shot from inside the area again until late in the contest.

There were flashes before the interval—Anthony nodding wide from a Hannibal Mejbri cross—but Burnley’s second-half control was built more on tempo and shape than on volume of chances. When the opportunities came, they were taken with conviction.

Parker’s message lands: belief, home form, and three priceless points

Parker spoke of being “buzzing” for players and fans alike and of the need to make Turf Moor believe. This felt exactly that: a committed, organised display with the quality moments to match. After winning just twice at home during their previous top-flight season, Burnley are already halfway to that tally.

It is early, and tougher tests await, but the value of this home win cannot be overstated. Three points, a clean sheet, and evidence that captain and team can carry the load—an ideal platform on which to build.