Crystal Palace setback confuses Burnley manager Sean Dyche

Burnley manager Sean Dyche admits he was left "confused" after a clinical performance from Crystal Palace left his side on the end of a 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor.

The Clarets had 57 per cent possession and 18 attempts on goal - eight more than their opponents - but it was Palace who moved further clear of relegation trouble after both side had been locked on 30 points prior to the encounter.

• Match report
• As it happened

Roy Hodgson's side secured a sixth Premier League away win of the season thanks to second-half strikes from Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha adding to Phil Bardsley's unfortunate own goal.

Ashley Barnes reduced the arrears late on, but Burnley were unable to avoid a second successive defeat that leaves them just five points clear of the relegation zone.

Dyche said: "It was a bit of a confusing one today as we've dominated a lot of the first half. We created a lot of chances and had big moments but we weren't clinical enough overall. We got into good positions but we didn't find that last pass and that last bit of quality.

"It was a strange goal to go one down and you come in at half-time scratching your head. They score ever so early in the second half and then it's tough from thereon in. We get done by a really soft third.

"I admired my lads' spirit because they kept knocking on the door with Barnes nicking a goal back, him having another chance go over the bar and Crouchy drawing a big save from their 'keeper. Palace did what they do well away from home, they were clinical and that was the difference."

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The eight-game unbeaten run prior to the defeat at Newcastle in midweek had significantly boosted Burnley's chances of survival, but they face Liverpool at Anfield in their next Premier League fixture ahead of a treacherous run-in.

The Clarets faces trips to Chelsea and Everton in the final month of the season with Manchester City and Arsenal still to visit Turf Moor.

But Dyche is remaining calm about his side's prospects, and believes his players must now respond as they have done so to previous setbacks.

"I'm not going to be too critical as we created moments, and the players were aware of Palace's game plan. We got caught out of shape on the turnover, and they've affected the game. It was quite a reasonable performance stats-wise, but stats don't win games.

"We've never spoken any more than the next game. We know these games are important and most people will be confused with Palace being down there. We're a work in progress.

"We've had some tough results before and responded. So we now look to the next game, which we know will be tough (away to Liverpool) to get back to a performance level that counts."

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