Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster was on target to help Burnley claim their first win in the Premier League following their 2-1 victory over Luton Town on Tuesday evening.
The three points were crucial in a matchup between two clubs trying to find their footing after being promoted from the Championship last season, and Vincent Kompany’s squad came out on top.
Lyle Foster, a forward from South Africa, scored the winning goal for the Clarets at the end of the first half at Kenilworth Road.
Elijah Adebayo of Luton scored an equaliser with six minutes remaining, but Bruun Larsen of Norway scored his first Premier League goal mere seconds later to steal all three points.
Winners of the Championship After their first six games, Burnley had only managed to pick up one point while losing five.
However, after a long wait, they finally got their first win, which gave them renewed hope and moved them up to 18th place, just behind Luton on goal differential.
“It feels great, three points in the Premier League. We had to battle for it and I am proud of the team for what they showed,” Kompany said.
“We showed what got us through in the Championship last season. Too much is said about what we do on the ball.
“If you really want to judge us, watch us in the battles. This is a team that enjoys this type of work.”
Saturday’s victory over Everton at Goodison Park marked the first league victory of the season for any of last year’s three promoted teams.
The Hatters, who last competed in the Premier League in 1991–1992, had a two-game unbeaten streak snapped, which served as a rude awakening.
“We’re disappointed. They’re difficult to play against but we showed our true selves tonight,” Luton boss Rob Edwards said.
“We kept fighting to get back in the game. This is where we want to be. We want to compete and win games. I do think we deserved to tonight.”
In a match that was originally scheduled for August but postponed due to construction as Luton rushed to improve the dilapidated Kenilworth Road, Burnley started out on top.
Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski made a spectacular save on a header from Zeki Amdouni, and then Josh Brownhill blasted a shot from 20 yards out that went just wide of the post.
Foster, set free by Sander Berge’s pass, took a touch, raced clear, and buried a clinical finish into the bottom corner to give Burnley a deserved first-half lead.
After missing three games for his ejection against Nottingham Forest, Foster replaced Aaron Ramsey in the starting lineup.
The 23-year-old scored his third goal of the year, and Burnley nearly added another shortly after the break when Brownhill was denied by Kaminski.
When Josh Cullen headed away a goal by Jacob Brown, Luton showed signs of life.
In the 84th minute, Edwards’ team tied the game when Reece Burke crossed the ball to Adebayo, who scored from close range.
Bruun Larsen cut in from the right flank and curled a superb strike into the top corner to bring Luton level for a brief moment.
