Scott Parker delighted as Burnley win in front of Hollywood royalty

Posted Saturday, September 14, 2024 by PA

Scott Parker hailed matchwinner Luca Koleosho after Burnley won 1-0 at Elland Road to destroy Leeds’ unbeaten start to the season in front of Hollywood actor Will Ferrell.

The Clarets struck in the 18th minute when Leeds winger Manor Solomon, on loan from Tottenham, slipped and lost the ball inside his own half.

Koleosho, 19, collected possession and raced into the hosts’ 18-yard box unopposed before firing a superb low, right-foot shot into the bottom corner of Illan Meslier’s net.

The visitors lost defender Bashir Humphreys to a second yellow card in the closing stages but they held on for a huge win.

Clarets boss Parker said: “It’s a massive three points for us, especially at such a tough place to come and where we are in the stages of our development as well.

“The foundation that got us the result was everything we stand for as a team – grit, determination and battling spirit to a man.

“We showed every bit of that, which was the reason we got the three points, and it was a brilliant finish from Luca.

“Not many players can run 60 or 70 yards up the pitch at full pace with the calmness Luca showed to execute the finish.

“I’m delighted for him and thought he was brilliant in his moments today.”

Leeds generally dominated possession and had chances during the first half as striker Mateo Joseph fired wide when clean through inside the opening minute following a mistake by Burnley defender Maxime Esteve.

Solomon had a penalty appeal turned down after taking a tumble under the challenge of Joe Worrall midway through the first half.

But they could no way through a resolute Burnley rearguard with goalkeeper James Trafford in fine form throughout.

Parker added: “He was brilliant today and that was exactly what Traffs needs to be quite honest with you.

“I’m very pleased for him, he needed a result and a game like he had today.

“This is a boy who had a tough year last year and I think he’d be the first to say that.

“Mentally and psychologically, it was a tough season for him and we’re going to need every bit of him this year. I thought he was brilliant.”

At a packed Elland Road, Ferrell watched on from the directors’ box in the West Yorkshire sunshine, having come on board as an investor in Leeds earlier this year.

The 57-year-old Anchorman star is one of many high-profile personalities, including athletes, who have made investments in the Whites through 49ers Enterprises.

But he was left disappointed as Daniel Farke’s men tasted defeat in the league for the first time this season as the Clarets displayed their own promotion credentials.

Leeds boss Farke reflected: “It’s the most frustrating thing in football when you go back to the dressing room and you can’t explain how you didn’t win this game.

“If I’m honest, after the international break I didn’t expect us to be as dominant as we were today.

“I’m really happy with our dominance and how we started the game but, being self-critical, in the decisive moments we weren’t effective enough.

“We should have scored in the first two minutes and we should have had a penalty as well.

“Credit to Burnley – although they had an 85-yard sprint, it was a really good finish into the bottom corner.

“We had the better and easier chances but we didn’t take them and this is where we have to be self-critical.

“It was also disappointing to concede out of such a situation but to dominate a good side like Burnley, I was pleased with the way we played.

“But obviously we’re not happy with our effectiveness and this is why we lost.”

On Leeds’ penalty claim when Solomon went down under Worrall’s challenge, Parker insisted: “I didn’t think it was a penalty in real time – he looked like he got a toe on it.”