Boyd the hero as Burnley return to winning ways with victory over Stoke

George Boyd struck a second-half winner as Burnley secured their first Premier League victory since January with a 1-0 triumph over Stoke City.

The 31-year-old netted just before the hour mark to ensure the Clarets ended their seven-game winless streak and they're now eight points clear of the drop zone.

Sean Dyche’s side were far from their best but they didn’t have to be to edge past the Potters who continued their miserable form on the road. While Burnley have won five of their last eight home encounters, Stoke have lost seven of their last nine away matches.

The first-half was devoid of chances, to say the least. The hosts had one shot on target - Ben Mee's tame header was catching practice for Lee Grant while at the other end Charlie Adam tested Tom Heaton with a powerful effort just before the half-time whistle.

Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic could have broken the deadlock shortly after the break but it was the hosts who grabbed the game’s all-important opener when Boyd applied the finish from Jeff Hendrick’s assist on 58 minutes.

Mark Hughes’ charges pushed for an equaliser in the remaining half an hour but in truth Michael Keane and Co. were able to hold on quite comfortably as Burnley recorded their 10th victory of the season.

The defeat means Stoke fall to 11th - a point behind Leicester - and only a place above Burnley.

New tactics, same result for Stoke – In a bid to improve his side’s miserable away form, Mark Hughes opted for an experimental 3-5-2 formation. A packed midfield frustrated their hosts for a large majority of the game and some incisive counter attacks caused problems for Burnley. However, they had to resort back to plan A after falling behind mid-way through the second half and in the end the Potters didn’t have enough quality to find their way back into the match.

George Boyd (Burnley) - Not only grabbed the winning goal but worked tirelessly for his side throughout.

Burnley: Heaton 7, Lowton 7, Keane 7, Mee 7, Ward 6, Hendrick 7, Defour 6, Barton 6, Boyd 8, Vokes 7, Gray 6. Subs: Barnes 6, Brady 5, Tarkowski N/A.

Stoke: Grant 6; Shawcross 6, M. Indi 6, Muniesa 6, Diouf 7, Cameron 7, Allen 7, Adam 7, Pieters 6, Arnautovic 5, Berahino 5. Subs: Afellay N/A, Crouch 6.

16’ - PENALTY APPEAL! Arnautovic lets fly with a powerful shot from 25 yards but it's blocked by Mee. It appears to strike his shoulder and Kevin Friend dismisses the Stoke claims for a spot-kick.

42’ - SAVE! A wonderful first touch from Adam allows him to get away from two defenders before the Scotland international lets fly from 20 yards but Heaton does brilliantly to not only make the stop but also hold onto the ball.

56’ - INCHES WIDE! Adam chips a teasing cross into the Burnley penalty area, Keane miss-times his jump and heads the ball backwards to Arnautovic who somehow pokes his shot wide of the goal. What an opportunity for Stoke.

50’ - PENALTY APPEAL! Burnley win a corner which Mee flicks on with a header, the ball then appears to strike Shawcross on the arm but Kevin Friend dismisses the appeals. It was clearly accidental but you've seen them given.

58’ - GOAL - Burnley are ahead! They've barely been in the game but George Boyd pops up with the opener for the Clarets and could this be the goal that ensures their Premier League survival? Hendrick goes on a surging run before picking out the unmarked Boyd in the penalty area and he makes no mistake by finishing coolly into the far corner.