Against a side who set a record 27th league clean sheet of the season, it was always going to be an uphill task for the Swans whose calamity defending provided the catalyst for the Clarets quick start.
Josh Brownhill benefiting from Josh Key’s slip when in possession of the ball allowing winger Marcus Edwards to waltz into space down the left before crossing to the surging midfielder to tap home.
Swansea had still not going by the time Burnley doubled their lead, with Jayden Anthony drilling home at the third time of asking after the home defence had blocked his initial effort and another from playmaker Zian Flemming.
The Swans would improve with Liam Cullen’s header going close and conjured up their best chance in the final quarter. Josh Tymon picking out the unmarked winger Ronald at the back post but the Brazilian would get his header all wrong with it landing the wrong side of the post.
That would sum up the home side’s day as Burnley stretched their unbeaten league run to 25 games to move into the top two, and leave the Swans still with work to do, six points outside the relegation zone in 16th position.
“This was always going to be a difficult game for us today, and we made it even more difficult for ourselves with the way we conceded the first goal,” said Sheehan after the match.
“It wasn’t a good start. Two slips on the ball, they had a quick counter and finished the action. You can’t turn the ball over in those areas against this kind of team.
“We knew the first goal was going to be really important. Then the second goal we didn’t defend the box well enough. It’s going to be an uphill battle from there.
“It’s our fourth game in 10 days, the squad has been really stretched and there were a few tired bodies out there, but in terms of application, the lads have given everything but just lacked a bit of quality again today.
“I felt we huffed and puffed in different areas at different times, but ultimately the lads are out on their feet and they are a team who are where they are for a reason.
“There’s no excuses from me today. The players gave everything.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
