Clarets boss Sean Dyche always says the Premier League is about fine margins… and they don’t get much finer than 29.59mm! 

That’s the distance the ball crossed the line by to give Manchester City a 1-0 win at the Turf on Sunday, and with it – in all probability – the Premier League title.

Matt Lowton tried his best to keep it out and the title chase alive but when Paul Tierney looked down at his magic watch, you knew the goal would be given. 

The Clarets turned in another decent performance though and there’s certainly no shame in a 1-0 defeat to one of the world’s best sides. 

We didn’t create very much but we had City rattled to such an extent that Pep Guardiola started throwing on defenders like they were going out of fashion as the game wore on. 

Aside from a blistering period early in the second half – when Tom Heaton pulled off a couple of superb saves and the visitors had a clear penalty turned down – City weren’t at their usual, fluid best. 

Ben Mee turned in another man of the match performance against his former side and the two central midfielders did an excellent job of stifling the creativity of their counterparts. 

After the draw at Chelsea it proved that the Clarets have found their rhythm again, too late for this season, of course, but good for momentum into next year’s campaign. 

Dyche has said this week he doesn’t know how much he’ll get to spend in the transfer window but I’d suggest he has the biggest job he’s ever had this summer. 

We look a little threadbare in places and I just hope our new head of recruitment Mike Rigg is prepped and ready for a long summer of negotiations. 

I think the shopping list has to include new fullbacks – mainly due to the fact I think Stephen Ward may be off and Phil Bardsley isn’t getting any younger – more competition in the centre of the park, especially if Steven Defour is continually plagued by injury problems, and probably more options out wide. 

Given the fact that Matej Vydra hasn’t played much, he might also look for a move and that, coupled with the disappearance of Nahki Wells, means we probably need reinforcements up top as well. 

Quite a list, eh? We’ve been slow out of the traps for the last couple of windows but with survival secured, there’s little excuse for the same again this time!