HT Burnley 0-1 Stoke: Tuncay strike piles on the misery for Clarets

Stoke midfielder Tuncay made the breakthrough at Turf Moor with his fifth goal since arriving from Middlesbrough in the summer.

It came in the 23rd minute of this Barclays Premier League match after a long throw from Rory Delap unsettled the Burnley defence.

Mamady Sidibe flicked the ball on and Tuncay showed good awareness to head it beyond goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

Brian Laws made one change to his Burnley side for the crucial Premier League clash with Stoke.

Laws boosted his attacking options by bringing in striker Steven Thompson for Kevin McDonald.

Thompson was part of a three-pronged attack alongside Martin Paterson and David Nugent with Burnley looking for a win that would take them out of the relegation zone.

Stoke showed two changes from the team that lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup with Matthew Etherington and Liam Lawrence replacing Ricardo Fuller and Glenn Whelan.

With another home game to follow on Saturday against fellow strugglers Wolves, Burnley were looking for a morale-boosting win.

Stoke were the first to show and Abdoulaye Faye clipped a shot wide of the post in the third minute following a corner from Liam Lawrence.

Play switched back down the other end and Danny Fox whipped in a free-kick that was diverted to safety by Danny Collins.

Then Chris Eagles was set up by Paterson in the 14th minute following a a little bit of pressure by the home side.

However, much to his frustration, the former Manchester United midfielder sent his effort nearer the corner flag than the goal.

Stoke again found themselves on the back foot when Jack Cork found space in the area but like Eagles failed to test Thomas Sorensen.

The visiting goalkeeper, however, then turned away a low drive from Fox in the 17th minute as Burnley stepped up the pace.

Stoke took the lead six minutes later following a long throw from Rory Delap. It was flicked on by Mamady Sidibe to Tuncay, who headed in.

It was Tuncay's fifth goal for the club following his arrival in the summer from Middlesbrough.

This was a test of character now for Burnley after they lost their last home league game to Portsmouth.

They came under pressure in the 31st minute when Etherington released Delap, only for Alexander to show good positioning to block his shot.

Etherington then set up Tuncay in the area but his first touch was poor and Leon Cort was able to get the ball away.

Burnley hit back and Eagles delivered a cross to Paterson at the back post in the 39th minute.

It was a good opportunity for the Northern Ireland striker, who had recently returned to the side after injury.

However he showed a lack of confidence and sent his effort weakly into the side-netting.

Burnley seemed to be riddled with nerves with even veteran Alexander affected, sending a pass into the crowd when under no pressure at all.

Etherington then latched on to a good ball from Andy Wilkinson and delivered it into the area but Cort was able to clear.