THE BURNLEYS ARE BACK (and it sounds like Ben Mee’s gonna be ok?)
The Result:
Burnley 3, Crystal Palace 0
How It Happened:
Burnley got a good chance early off an Erik Pieters cross, and Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson capitalized, calmly collecting it, turning, and firing one home past the Palace keeper (this sounds like the title of a children’s book). A few minutes later, it was Jay Rodriguez heading home a Dwight McNeil corner, and in the second half, Matthew Lowton unleashed a dazzler to make it a rout.
It was not all joy, though. Late in the game, Ben Mee was knocked unconscious (haven’t seen the play yet—didn’t see much after the first two goals), and while he was eventually able to walk down the tunnel, he did have to be stretchered off. The word is that it’s a concussion. Hopefully that’s it, and hopefully it isn’t too serious of one. For his well-being, most of all.
What It Means
Burnley, at least for a few hours, is in 15th again in the table, and there’s a good chance they at least stay clear of Newcastle as the weekend completes itself. The gap between the lads and relegation also figures to grow, currently standing at 13 points with Fulham playing Everton tomorrow.
Other News:
The Ben Mee thing’s the big thing.
General Thoughts:
I am watching basketball right now and I am very much in awe of how much Harry D. Jacobs alum Cameron Krutwig looks like a Harry D. Jacobs alum. I know this is only relevant to Burnley fans with ties to the Fox Valley Conference, an Illinois high school league, but I must share it everywhere I’m allowed. I’m going to knock on my neighbors’ door here in a minute.
Burnley Thoughts:
A huge win, and an easy one, which is so rare. Palace isn’t very good, but beating even a bad EPL team on the road is huge given where Burnley’s at right now. FiveThirtyEight’s got the relegation probability down to four percent, which I believe is the lowest it’s been all year. Top half of the table isn’t even out of reach. And with home affairs against Fulham and West Brom up next? If they take care of business, Burnley could be presumptively assured of no relegation by the end of next weekend.
