Work ethic pleases boss

New Burnley boss Owen Coyle was pleased with his side's work-rate in their goalless draw at home to Stoke.

New Burnley boss Owen Coyle was pleased with his side's work-rate in their goalless draw at home to Stoke. A fine display from Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen kept the Clarets at bay but Coyle was impressed with his players' efforts. "From start to finish we were terrific and on any other day we would have had three points," he said. "We had a nice shape to the team and the players gave every ounce of effort. "I have stressed to the players to be creative in the final third of the field but there was a real energy about our play and I am excited about working with the talent at the club. Simonsen made the first of many saves inside the first 60 seconds to deny striker Andy Gray. After Alan Mahon wasted a good opportunity Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty was then denied by Simonsen with the game barely five minutes old.

Spectacular

A brilliant save from Simonsen denied Mahon a spectacular goal as the midfielder's volley from 25 yards was pushed behind for a corner. Stoke's only opportunity in the first half came after 44 minutes when Rory Delap's header brought a save out of Gabor Kiraly. Simonsen was quickly into action in the second half to deny Robbie Blake and Chris McCann but Burnley's best chance fell to Lafferty after 65 minutes and following good work by Mahon and Blake. Delap provided Stoke's only opportunity in the second period but his strike from 20 yards wasn't good enough to beat Kiraly. Burnley substitute Joey Gudjonsson twice went close to give Coyle a dream start to his Burnley career but Simonsen had other ideas. Despite the hosts' dominance Stoke boss Tony Pulis felt his side did enough for the draw. "I was very pleased with the effort and commitment for our first clean sheet in 11 games but we deserved a point because of the effort we put in," he said.