Burnley manager Scott Parker hailed the impact of his substitutes as one of the biggest positives from their emphatic 4-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.
Two of the five substitutes got on the scoresheet, while the others played a crucial role in maintaining the Clarets’ dominance.
Game-Changing Substitutes
Josh Brownhill wasted no time making an impact, doubling Burnley’s lead within 48 seconds of coming on. Manuel Benson then added the final touch to a convincing display, scoring a spectacular goal in the last minute.
In addition to the goalscorers, Jonjo Shelvey, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Lyle Foster also impressed with their performances off the bench, ensuring Burnley secured three crucial points in their promotion push.
“That’s one of the biggest positives really because I thought every sub that came on had a massive impact. That’s probably the strength of this squad,” said Parker.
The Burnley boss acknowledged the challenge of selecting just 11 players and nine substitutes from a deep squad, but he believes the willingness of every player to contribute highlights the team’s unity.
Benson’s Stunning Strike
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the night came from Benson, who curled a stunning strike into the top corner with his weaker right foot. It was his first goal in over a year, marking a long-awaited return to the scoresheet after a challenging period.
“People tell me that’s Benny. He comes in off the side, and he ends up scoring goals like that. He doesn’t score bad goals. I wasn’t expecting it to go into the top corner, but fair play to him, it was brilliant,” Parker added.
Promotion Push Gathers Momentum
Burnley’s dominant display not only secured three points but also reignited their push for automatic promotion. With strong competition from Leeds United, Sheffield United, and Sunderland, Parker’s men will need to maintain their form in the crucial weeks ahead.
While Parker acknowledged the significance of the win, he stressed the importance of maintaining focus and consistency as the season enters a critical stage.
Writer’s View
Burnley’s win over Sheffield Wednesday was a showcase of their squad depth and attacking firepower. The impact of substitutes underlines the quality at Parker’s disposal, an essential factor in a gruelling promotion race. If they can maintain this level of performance, the Clarets will remain strong contenders for a return to the Premier League.
