BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle celebrated Martin Paterson’s hunger for goals, after the striker instigated the Clarets’ first home win of the season last night.

Coyle’s record signing hit the first, as derby rivals Blackpool were beaten 2-0, to take his tally to six in all competitions so far.

Graham Alexander’s 76th minute penalty – his second in two games and third goal in total – moved him ahead of Paterson in the league count.

But Coyle admits that after two defeats and two goalless draws at the start of the new campaign, it is breeding healthy competition within the squad.

“We had a wee joke that Pato had got level with league goals and then Graham goes and gets ahead of him again, which is great because I’ve got a striker now who’s hungry to be the top scorer,” said Coyle.

“But I thought he really benefited from Steven Thompson’s play.

“That’s two games now and he’s given so much to the team, and he adds another facet and another dimension to our play, which we’re very pleased with.

“Martin can get goals, we know that, but we’re not putting any targets down.

“We want him hungry and to have that desire to get in where it hurts and score goals.

“And from the lads that have come on, Robbie Blake’s been unlucky not to score, Ade Akinbiyi’s been a whisker away from getting his head on one late on as well.

“I think we’ve shown we have a real goal threat.

"As much as with the two nil-nil draws people think you’re not scoring goals, we know we’ve got players in all departments who are capable of scoring goals; Chris McCann’s a goal threat, Kevin McDonald will score, and he’ll get better as the season goes.

“Overall it's very pleasing.”

Coyle added: “We’re delighted to get back on track because we were certainly hurt by the first two games this season.

“So to bounce back with the two draws and two wins on the back of that, it’s been a good bit of work.

“But that’s all it’s been. We have to now kick on and we’ve got a tough game on Saturday against Swansea.”