Poor first half cost Clarets, says manager Howe (From This Is Lancashire)

Poor first half cost Clarets, says manager Howe

5:48pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in Football

BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe blamed a “poor” first-half performance for defeat to promotion favourites Southampton.

The Clarets succumbed to a first half header from Adam Lallana and Ben Mee own goal as Saints recorded their first home win of 2012.

Burnley were brighter in the second half after making two midfield changes at the break - bringing on Josh McQuoid and Marvin Bartley for Keith Treacy and Dean Marney. But they couldn't make an impact in front of goal.

“The first half was as poor as we've played for a long time,” said Howe.

“We did better in the second half but Southampton were too strong for us.

“The goals were disappointing. Adam Lallana's not known for his heading ability and he's got in between us.

“We were disappointed the cross came into the box in the first place because that's something we'd worked on all week.

“We knew Southampton were a threat, they have a number of big lads and I don't think we dealt with that.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game. We didn't compete very well in the first half, we had a real go in the second half but couldn't get that goal we needed to make a contest of it.”