Clarets destined for Prem - Leeds boss Evans

Leeds United boss Steve Evans feels Burnley's ability to grind out wins when not at their best will give them the advantage in the race to reach the Premier League.
Burnley v Leeds United.
Leeds head coach Steve Evans.
9th April 2016.
Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeBurnley v Leeds United.
Leeds head coach Steve Evans.
9th April 2016.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Burnley v Leeds United. Leeds head coach Steve Evans. 9th April 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

The Clarets saw off the Whites 1-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday, thanks to Scott Arfield’s first-minute goal, to maintain their advantage at the top of the Championship.

Middlesbrough won later in the afternoon to keep the gap to one point, while Brighton were five adrift ahead of last night’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

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Evans felt his side were worthy of at least a point, but he said: “We’ve played well enough, we’ve dominated for long, long spells today.

Burnley v Leeds United.
Leeds head coach Steve Evans.
9th April 2016.
Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeBurnley v Leeds United.
Leeds head coach Steve Evans.
9th April 2016.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Burnley v Leeds United. Leeds head coach Steve Evans. 9th April 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

“If Burnley are winning games like today, they’re destined to be in the Premier League.

“They’re full of good players and have a top manager.”

Leeds had two huge opportunities in the second half, both fallling to New Zealand international striker Chris Wood, who failed to hit the target on either occasions.

Evans was surprised he didn’t at least work Clarets keeper Tom Heaton:“With the two Chris Wood chances, they’re bread and butter to him. He would normally put them in the net.

Burnley v Leeds United.
Leeds head coach Steve Evans.
9th April 2016.
Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeBurnley v Leeds United.
Leeds head coach Steve Evans.
9th April 2016.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Burnley v Leeds United. Leeds head coach Steve Evans. 9th April 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
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“The net is three quarters empty and you’d normally expect him to put them in, but he’ll come back on Tuesday.”

“His performance all round other than that was very good.”

Burnley were far from their fluid best, with Leeds enjoying 53% possession, and 20 shots, to the Clarets’ nine.

But they only had three efforts on target, to Burnley’s two, and the only statistic that matters is the scoreline.

Evans added: “The whole team, we’ve bossed it with some real quality of passing and movement. The only disappointing thing, and the mystery to all of us, is that we’ve lost the game.

“When I shook hands with the players, Luke Murphy said to me ‘gaffer, have I got this wrong or have we just battered Burnley in that second half?’

“I said, ‘no, you got it right son’.”