Good afternoon, and welcome to Eurosport's coverage of this weekend's 3pm blockbuster for the hard-hitting realists: Burnley versus West Ham United at Turf Moor. Supermarkets are already testing the seasonal sensibilities of the nation with their themed aisles and premature Christmas promotions, yet today's game does have something of a festive feel to it. December may be some weeks away, but given the hard working, direct styles of Burnley and West Ham their coming together looks set to be the sort of chocolate box footballing clash perfectly suited to a honestly fought Boxing Day ding dong. The scheming over in the dug out will be between the ghosts of provincial northern underdog overachievers of seasons past and seasons present with Sam Allardyce, formerly of Bolton and Blackburn, facing off against Burnley's Sean Dyche in a battle of tactical wits and shirts and ties. Both bosses will happily to sacrifice the jovialities to grab a result however, with the hosts still stuck in the

Premier League / Matchday 8

Turf Moor / 18.10.2014

Burnley

Completed

West Ham United

G. Boyd(60')

Live

Live Updates

ByThe Editorial Team

Updated 18/10/2014 at 15:54 GMT

30'

Downing hits the far post with an exceptional effort from the right-hand corner of the box. The midfielder's shot had Heaton and his defenders beaten but it was just an inch too wide, as the ball prangs off the woodwork and out for a goal kick.

28'

Burnley get a throw-in, and proceed to play the ball amongst themselve as West Ham once again form a narrow, compact block around their area. The hosts eventually manage to play back into the final third where Boyd fires a cross into the box for Jutkiewicz, but he is muscled out of putting any decent touch onto the delivery.

25'

A chance for West Ham, as Morgan Amalfitano sends a dangerous ball into the near post from the left which Sakho lunges at to try and beat Heaton. The striker and goalkeeper come together with a mid-air collision along with centre-back Mike Duff and the opportunity instead turns to a scrambling mini-melee. Sakho remains down momentarily but he's soon back on his feet and looking ready to run down more chances.

24'

Jutkiewicz is played on against Adrian, one on one, but his touch is just slightly too heavy and the Argentinian is able to throw himself at the ball to clear out of the danger. It's not the tidiest of interventions however, and he is fortunate that the deflection off his body falls to the friendly feet of his nearby team mates. Had it fallen to a Burnley player, they would have had an open goal to find.

22'

Indecision in the Burnley box almost leads to disaster, as Valencia and Sakho's pressure begins to show. Shackell rushes his clearance that rockets up into the air rather than out of the area, and he has to react quickly to hold off West Ham's attackers as he fashions a better attempt as it falls back down to Earth. What was I saying about Burnley looking solid and organised?

20'

Burnley have a corner after a cross from the left was put behind by Adrian. It comes to nothing however, and West Ham are finally cut loose to run into space on the counter. The hosts don't look anywhere near as solid when put on the backfoot, as Valencia streams forward. He isn't able to play in Sakho with the square ball however, which is cut out, much to the relief of Heaton and his defenders.

18'

That's not to say that Burnley are bulletproof. They certainly weren't when they played West Brom a few weeks ago. Dyche's side won't want to return to the sort of performance at the back that saw them ship four goals without reply at the Hawthorns.

17'

Valencia goes for an ambitious effort from range, but it sails harmlessly over the bar. Given his form of late however, he probably feels entitled to have a go. West Ham need to focus on playing through their opponents more today however, with the Hammers so far having failed to test their rigid backline. A bit more movement could do them the world of good. Succeeding through scrappy goals, like they did agaisnt QPR, looks unlikely against a defence that has looked strong and organised in the opening 15 minutes.

15'

Foul against West Ham as James Collins manhandles Danny Ings just outside the area, and Burnley have a chance to attack the visitor's area. The Clarets work the ball out wide for a cross from the right, which meets the head of Jutkiewicz. Unfortunately for the Pole, the connection isn't good and it balloons off into the sky rather than down towards the goal.

14'

Burnley are now passing it about themselves with West Ham standing off them slightly. This isn't going to be a game for pressing. And while midfield diamonds may be all the rage at present, the home side's bog-standard, traditional two-banks-of-four 4-4-2 is looking good so far.

12'

West Ham are dropping back to form walls around their box, leaving Burnley will plenty of time to put a foot on the ball and assess their options. If Big Sam wanted his team to push on from their showing against QPR, this surely isn't what he had in mind. Sure, points come first, but the Hammers boss would surely want a bit more progress from his side's recent improvement here today?

10'

We're 10 minutes in and Burnley have already gone mightily close to claiming a lead on two occassions. They even managed to put the ball over West Ham's goal line! Maybe it'll be third time lucky for Dyche's men, who look keen to push forward.

Lukas Jutkiewicz plays the role of poacher and puts the ball past a sprawling Adrian, who's left in a heap after half-saving Boyd's orignal shot. Yet as the Pole spurts off to celebrate his first goal for Burnley, the linesman raises his flag for offside. The striker was just a touch off.

George Boyd, who has so often been a bright spark for Dyche's team this season, rattles the crossbar with a well-taken half-volley off his chest.

The Scot hasn't struggled to look dangerous since his summer move to Turf Moor, but both his finishing and the final touches of his team mates have so far lacked the end product to reward his efforts.

Burnley's defence look to be deploying a hoof on sight policy in the opening exchanges, with every ball coming into their half receiving a swift and powerful boot instead of a first touch.

Given how industious West Ham's attackers have proven to be so far this year, it's probably a wise move. The last thing Burnley need is for their men at the back to be caught in possession before 10 minutes have been through.

First effort by West Ham comes from Downing, who receives the ball from a Valencia break out through the middle.

The former Liverpool man's shot is pushed out for a corner which is claimed by Tom Heaton in the Burnley area.

KICK OFF! Burnley get things underway with an urgent surge forward but the ball goes out behind Adrian's goal. The keeper restarts the game with a hoof up field.

14:58

Like their players, the two managers enter the match from the player tunnel, and they job over the field to their technical areas.

They meet, shake hands and look pleased to see each other prior to turning toward their dug outs.

Will the pleasantries continue once the action commences? We're moments away here...

14:56

The fans applaud as the players stroll out. Ings is understandably the big draw for the cameras and the roars of the home support.

Having been Burnley's key hitman up front last year in the Championship, the goal shy Clarets have missed him greatly over the past few weeks.

14:55

Having retired to their dressing rooms, the players are now marching back out through the corridors of Turf Moor on their way to the pitch.

West Ham are first into the player tunnel as Burnley emerge moments later looking surprisingly jolly given their predicament at the wrong end of the league table.

14:50

Time for some quick pre-match stats for you to mull over. Stewart Downing is currently level with Cesc Fabregas on goalscoring chances created. Both players have produced 22 so far this season.

Up top, Diafra Sakho has been in fine form too, scoring in all five starts he's made for the Hammers in all competitions since arriving in the summer.

And while Burnley may not have made the start to live back in the Premier League that they would have hoped for, the Clarets can proudly claim to be the club who have used the most English players this campaign, with 13.

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