STEVEN Defour might not have been Burnley’s record signing for very long but he showed he could turn out to be a £7.5million bargain at Turf Moor on Saturday.

In a game that both sides seemed determined not to lose rather than desperate to win the Belgian international produced a moment of sublime individual brilliance to hand the Clarets initiative.

Unfortunately Hull City’s Robert Snodgrass produced his own moment of quality to salvage an injury time point for the visitors, and while it may have been deserved on the balance of play, Defour’s strike was worthy of winning almost any match.

When he was one of Europe’s hottest talents as a teenager at Standard Liege Defour might not have envisaged the circuitous route he has taken to the Premier League.

But the 28-year-old looks happy to now be plying his trade in the world’s most-watched league. His fitness might not be up to speed for the Premier League just yet, but his technique and his quick thinking certainly are.

Defour’s piece of brilliance aside - to be fair Snodgrass’ free-kick was a special strike too - this was no classic.

Burnley hardly created a chance in the first half and while the Tigers weren't exactly roaring they had the better opportunities and twice came agonisingly close to taking the lead.

These two teams came up with each other last season and if the bookmakers are to be believed - and after last season’s Premier League it is probably wise not to pay too much attention to the odds makers - they are the favourites to go straight back down.

That would suggest they are evenly matched and with taking points off each other potentially crucial it was clear neither side were going to take unnecessary risks.

It appeared either a mistake or a moment of quality would break the deadlock and it was nearly the former when Michael Keane produced some rare sloppy footwork to allow Abel Hernandez the ball, but Tom Heaton palmed the Uruguayan’s shot away.

The Clarets passed the ball well in the first half but they struggled in the final third. Andre Gray had just seven touches in the first half, and Sam Vokes only five more than that.

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A Defour corner that caused chaos inside the Hull six-yard box and a Stephen Ward drive over the bar after Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s volley had been blocked were the sum total of their threat to Eldin Jakupovic’s goal.

And on the stroke of half-time the Clarets were nearly behind. Snodgrass was the architect, threading a brilliantly weighted ball into the path of David Meyler, who had snuck in behind Matt Lowton but saw his shot clip the far post and go behind.

The visitors saw another gilt-edged chance come and go after the break. Andy Robertson’s low cross was turned wide by Adama Diomande from six yards out with the goal gaping.

The Clarets had started to up the shot count after the break. Gray and Dean Marney had shots blocked, George Boyd forced Jakupovic into a routine save with an effort from distance while Vokes drilled a shot wide.

Snodgrass remained a threat for City and his volley was turned over by Heaton, and the Scot would have to wait for his moment as Burnley’s Belgian stole the show first.

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With the ball dropping out of the sky in the centre circle Defour produced a wonderful first touch to spin away from Sam Clucas, opening up space to charge towards goal. He continued unopposed until he was 25 yards out before unleashing a fierce, swerving drive into the bottom corner.

Hull came close to an equaliser when Curtis Davies headed against the bar, but when Ben Mee slipped and brought Tom Huddlestone down in the final minute of injury time 25 yards from goal, Turf Moor held its breath.

Snodgrass, who had been the Tigers best player all afternoon, gave Heaton no chance with what proved to be the last action of the game.

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