ICELAND IMPACT

Given his exploits for Iceland during the international break Johann Berg Gudmundsson might have felt he had a chance of winning his place back for Burnley this weekend.

The two goal hero for his national side was again handed a place on the bench, but when his chance arrived he took it.

Gudmundsson made his entrance at the start of the second half, with Burnley in need of something special to get back in the game.

He almost provided it with a drive against the post before setting up Chris Wood’s goal with a fine piece of wing play.

Maybe that will be the cameo he needed to find a way back into the side.

BREAKING TEAMS DOWN

Wood’s header was only the second goal Burnley have scored in four league games at Turf Moor this season and there remains a question mark over how the Clarets will break down defences.

The four sides to have visited so far are teams Burnley would fancy their chances against at home, but only Crystal Palace have been beaten, in what wasn’t a vintage Clarets display.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Sean Dyche’s side found goalscoring trouble free at Turf Moor during most of last season, but teams are approaching games differently now. A point away at Burnley is now seen as a good result.

That leaves the onus on the Clarets to break the opposition down and it’s something that still requires a bit of work based on Saturday’s efforts against a resilient and deep West Ham defence.

CARROLL’S MADNESS

Andy Carroll’s West Ham teammate Aaron Cresswell had pressed the striker’s case for an England call during the international fortnight, but he did his chances little good with a bizarre display at Turf Moor.

Lancashire Telegraph:

He was complaining to referee Stuart Atwell early on about a perceived elbow from James Tarkowski, but with no decision given he took matters into his own hands, clattering Tarkowski and then Ben Mee in the space of 100 seconds to earn two yellow cards.

Carroll was furious with the decision but it’s hard to see why. He had led with his elbow in both challenges and the second, coming so soon after his booking, was a challenge of remarkably stupidity, and he got what he deserved for it.

SEVENTH HEAVEN?

The point at least continued Burnley’s unbeaten run in the Premier League, which now stretches to six games, with only one defeat in their eight league games so far.

It’s been a remarkable start from Dyche’s men and while three points might have been there for the taking on Saturday, they showed character to find a way through in the end.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The away form this season has been impressive, but making it seven unbeaten next weekend looks a long shot.

Burnley will head to Manchester City with confidence based on their performances against Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, but Pep Guardiola’s side have been rampant recently and their seven-goal demolition of Stoke City at the weekend was another case in point.

MEE’S MISTAKE

It can be a cruel game at the back and so it was for stand-in skipper Ben Mee on Saturday.

Mee’s calm, unfussy style rarely seems to attract the eye, despite a string of excellent performances, with the defensive plaudits last season heading Michael Keane’s way, while it’s James Tarkowski’s name that has been in lights this term.

Lancashire Telegraph:

But neither could have excelled to the level they have without the outstanding Mee next to them.

However it only takes one mistake at the back to cost your team and it was Mee’s on Saturday, making a mess of Joe Hart’s punt upfield to allow Michail Antonio to score. Mee would have been better served trying to head it clear, rather than going with his foot, but mistakes from the former Man City man are a rare occurrence.