BURNLEY need their luck to change if they are to turn around their Premier League fortunes, according to Stephen Ward.

The versatile left back, who made his second Clarets start on Sunday, said the luck had been going against them so far this season.

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The Republic of Ireland international replaced Ben Mee for the Turf Moor clash with Everton, having previously started at Leicester City in the centre of midfield, and he highlighted his block on Romelu Lukaku for the Toffees second goal as a prime example of the bad luck the Clarets have experienced so far.

“I got the block in on the first effort but it just seems to be the way our luck is going,” said Ward.

“It ricocheted off one or two people and it’s just landed right at his feet.

“Even the finish Tom (Heaton) said he didn’t hit it very cleanly and that’s caused him a bit of a problem. It’s unfortunate.

“There are positives to take again but we haven't got the points we've merited.”

Despite making it nine top flight games without a win Ward said he enjoyed his return to the team, but was disappointed to come away from the game with nothing.

"I enjoyed it and I enjoyed being back in there,” he said, “I felt as though I acquitted myself well.

“We're disappointed, we know they're a good side and they play some good football, but we need to take more of our chances.

"Against teams like Everton it's very difficult. You're coming up against some of the best players in the league.

“I didn't think they caused us too many problems, other than the goals. They didn't create a lot but they were nice on the ball, neat and tidy, and they're a good side.”

Life in the Premier League doesn’t get any easier for Sean Dyche’s side, with a trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal next up on Saturday.

Five years ago Burnley twice put up good performances against Arsene Wenger’s side, drawing 1-1 at Turf Moor, and losing 3-1 at the Emirates, after David Nugent’s 50th minute goal had drawn them level.

The Clarets will head to the capital with nobody expecting them to get a result, and it is a scenario that Ward thinks could work in their favour.

“The games against the top five or six are very tough and going to Arsenal next week nobody will give us a chance.

"There's always pressure to perform. We want to go out, give it a go, and hopefully cause an upset. You just never know in this league.”

After that road trip Burnley face Hull, Aston Villa and Newcastle at Turf Moor, with a trip to Stoke sandwiched in between, and Ward knows it is a run of games that will be absolutely crucial in getting their season up and running.

“We've got a run of games where we'll really need to take something from them. People won't give us a chance to stay up now but it's up to us to keep the spirit.

“We've got a really good group of lads and hopefully in the next four or five games we can start taking points to give ourselves a real fighting chance come the second half of the season."