Sean Dyche hails 'relentless' Burnley after defeating Tottenham

Sean Dyche praised his players for their attitude in the 2-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Burnley took the lead through Chris Wood but the returning Harry Kane levelled the scores, leaving many to think Spurs could take control of the game but it was Ashley Barnes who won the game for the home side at Turf Moor.

Dyche thinks the key to Burnley's three points was his side's tough mentality as they refused to give up in a game they entered as underdogs.

Asked what the key to victory was, Dyche said: "I think the relentless nature, the will and the determination that's come back in massive amounts for us.

"I think that edge that I spoke about early season was soft and now I think we've come back to that firmer edge with our play but also the physical side of the game in the sense of covering the distance - our stats have changed in the last eight games, they've been a lot higher both in and out of possession."

Burnley had a poor start to the season, losing 13 out of their opening 19 matches in the Premier League, which left them in 18th place.

Fortunes have improved since losing against Everton on Boxing Day, as Burnley have won five out of the last eight matches, drawing the other three, which has been aided by the team's more attacking attitude, as Spurs found out.

"I think also the quality of play because we're asking more questions of the opposition. It's tough against these sides, these are a top side but the number of times we asked questions of them, the number of times we put their back four under pressure and I think that's a really big part of how we've changed since Christmas."

The form of Barnes and Wood has helped Burnley's revival and Dyche know the importance of his striker being at their best.

"We wanted to ask them questions and when your front two are on top of their games as they are at the moment, it's often easier to ask those questions.

"They started well in the second half and then I thought the best thing I'm most pleased about overall, I've just commended the lads on it, was the calmness at 1-1."

Mauricio Pochettino complained to referee Mike Dean due to his upset over a decision which led to the first goal but Dyche says he did not know what his counterpart was angered by.

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Dyche himself was upset by the fact Kane's goal was aided by a throw-in being taken in a completely different position to where the ball went out of play.

"The first goal, if it's a corner or not a corner, I think it's a tough one to call, I will say, when it ricochets off people that's one of those that can go either way.

"My gripe about theirs is not only did it go out this side of the halfway line, it then gets thrown in eight yards further the other way, and also the fourth official grabs the ball, plays it back to him and he plays quickly and it leads to a goal, that's the gripe. If it leads to something that's nothing but if it leads to a goal that's really frustrating.

"We're fighting, we're working, we're improving, we need the points against a top, top side. Then at 1-1 it changes and that's a massive moment and I think it went against us today but overall I think the officials were very good."

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