Charlie Austin strikes twice, takes the Saints into top eight

Charlie Austin scored twice as Southampton beat Burnley 3-1 at St Mary’s on Sunday to climb into the top eight of the Premier League.

The south coast club were in dominant form, with Nathan Redmond also on target before Sam Vokes pulled a goal back for the visitors late on. It was a fine way for the Saints to start a run of seven fixtures in 22 days, with their next game a Europa League clash against Italian giants Inter Milan.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche felt his side should have had a penalty when the game was still goalless only for referee Mike Dean to take no action when Johann Berg Gudmundsson was halted by Virgil van Dijk.

“We knew they were a good side and in a good run of form, especially defensively,” Dyche said.

“It’s very difficult when you come to these places, particularly when we can’t get a decision. I’m stunned by our penalty that wasn’t given.”

Burnley kept the game goalless until the second half before the Saints scored three times in 14 minutes.

They might have been ahead earlier in the match but Austin’s fifth-minute header was well-saved by Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Southampton’s Dusan Tadic was also denied by Heaton when one-on-one with the keeper in the 31st minute.

Redmond and Austin had chances in the first half but poor finishing kept the game goalless.

Southampton’s pressure, however, told in the second period with a quickfire three-goal burst.

In the 52nd minute, Tadic’s corner was headed across goal by Van Dijk and former Burnley striker Austin, at the second attempt and amid some poor defending by the Clarets, scored from in front of goal.

On the hour, Southampton doubled their lead courtesy of a fine goal from Redmond.

Following another corner, he waited for the ball to arrive before striking a low finish beyond the reach of Heaton and into the bottom right corner.

Burnley managed a consolation goal 18 minutes from time when referee Mike Dean pointed to the penalty spot for a foul by Tadic on Ben Mee and Vokes scored as the Saints conceded for the first time in over 10 hours.