Burnley striker David Nugent marked his home debut with his first goals since February to give the Clarets a 3-1 win over Sunderland yesterday.
Nugent joined Owen Coyle’s team in a six-month loan from Portsmouth on transfer deadline day and the England international made an immediate impact on his first appearance at Turf Moor.
The former Preston star hadn’t found the back of the net since scoring for Portsmouth against Liverpool last season, but he finally ended the drought in his 16th game since then to give Burnley a third home win in three attempts.
Coyle’s side, promoted via the play-offs last season, had taken the lead through a Graham Alexander penalty, but Darren Bent leveled before the break.
Then Nugent came off the bench just after the hour and turned the course of the game with two fine finishes.
Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell caused early panic in the Burnley defense with an incisive run and cross that was parried by Brian Jensen and hacked clear by Wade Elliott.
Steven Fletcher had Burnley’s first chance when he took Clarke Carlisle’s pass and drove a powerful shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
Burnley captain Alexander lashed a penalty past Craig Gordon to open the scoring.
Steve Bruce’s team mounted an impressive response to that setback. Bent should have punished a mistake by Andre Bikey but shot straight at Jensen in the 21st minute.
Campbell almost put the visitors ahead in the 52nd minute when his low drive was blocked well at close range by Jensen after a neat lay-off by Steed Malbranque. But with clear chances at a premium, Coyle sent on Nugent just past the hour.
Nugent scored just three goals in 34 league games for Portsmouth, but he had two for Burnley in less than half an hour after curling home a superb strike from long-range in the 86th minute.
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