Dominant Burnley show off swagger as Clarets start Championship season in style

Burnley opened the season in style with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town on Friday night.

Vincent Kompany's new-look Clarets dominated the first half with a stunning showing and although they didn't quite replicate that after the break they still fully merited the three points. It was a huge feather in Kompany's cap with the Belgian overseeing a Turf Moor rebuild that has seen 11 senior departures and nine new signings.

To kick off with a win, and something of a statement showing - in the first 45 minutes particularly - will have been exactly what the new manager will have hoped for and there is plenty to be encouraged by. Here's how the national media viewed the Clarets' performance.

The encouraging takeaway from Kompany’s first evening in charge was that the Clarets retained the high-intensity of a vintage Sean Dyche team while adding a control in possession rarely seen over the past decade. On the surface, anything more than a transitional season would still feel like representing a major achievement for Kompany. Yet even with a depleted squad and much left to do in the market, Burnley operated in Kompany’s image.

The new-look Clarets, who have made nine new signings during the summer and included five in their starting line-up, dominated the first half from start to finish. Backed by a raucous, sold-out away following, they popped the ball around with a swagger and led through debutant Maatsen in the 18th minute.

Huddersfield upped the tempo after the restart but failed to make it pay as the Clarets defended doggedly. Burnley almost added a second when substitute Scott Twine’s superb free-kick rebounded off a post. In the end, the Clarets were worthy winners and a jubilant Kompany roared his approval at the final