Swansea City boss Francesco Guidolin full of pride after Burnley win
13th August
Francesco Guidolin spoke of his pride in his players after Swansea City kicked off the new Premier League campaign with victory at Burnley.
The Swans were the better side in the first half at Turf Moor, but had to handle a spell of home pressure after the break.
Having weathered the Burnley storm, the visitors pressed again in the final quarter and snatched victory six minutes from the end when Leroy Fer notched up his first goal for the club.
After substitute Jefferson Montero crossed from the left, Fernando Llorente's header forced Tom Heaton into a sprawling save.
But the ball dropped perfectly for Fer, and the former Queens Park Rangers man swept home from close range.
"Everyone in our group is very happy because we have won a difficult game at a difficult ground against a good team," Guidolin said.
"This is the first time for Burnley this year in the Premier League and the atmosphere was very, very strong, but we played a good game and I am proud of my players.
"I am happy because I think this will be a difficult ground for all teams in the Premier League."
The Swans might have taken the lead earlier, with Llorente having a couple of sights of goal before Wayne Routledge volleyed wide after Mo Barrow had picked him out at the far post.
Federico Fernandez shot straight at Clarets keeper Tom Heaton just before the break, then fired over when he seemed certain to score at a 64th-minute corner.
At the other end, Andre Gray, Sam Vokes and Dean Marney all forced fine saves from Swans keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
"We suffered sometimes, especially in the middle of the second half," Guidolin added.
"If Burnley had drawn the game, they would have felt it was right.
"But I am happy because I think last season we would have lost this game.
"It is early, but I hope we can see something has changed for us - for example set-pieces both defensively and offensively.
"Today we defended very well against a strong team and we attacked well also. This was a good sign."
Guidolin was impressed with Llorente, who was a strong presence in attack on his debut in the Premier League.
"It was a good game for him," Guidolin said.
"He played 90 minutes which I thought wasn't possible because he has only been with us for one week, but he played very well.
"He isn't only strong in the air, he is also a very, very good player. Now I understand why he played with his national team - and I hope he will again."
Burnley boss Sean Dyche, meantime, reckoned his team were unfortunate not to get a point on their return to the top flight.
"I thought we deserved something," he said.
"I thought it was a case of welcome back to the Premier League. Second half we were very strong and we had them on the back foot for long enough periods.
"But then you get your pocket picked after some good play from them. That's the reality of the Premier League."
