Diarra sets Sunderland on the right path in a decisive victory over Burnley

Diarra sets Sunderland on the right path in a decisive victory over Burnley

Habib Diarra delivered a pivotal performance in the first half, propelling Sunderland to a comfortable 3-0 victory over the struggling Burnley in the Premier League on Monday.

The midfielder, who joined from Strasbourg last summer, scored one goal and had another deflected into the net during a dominant first half, while Chemsdine Talbi rounded off the scoring for the Black Cats.

Sunderland extended their unbeaten home streak to 12 games — a record for a newly promoted team — and climbed above Fulham and Everton to secure eighth place in the standings.

Diarra's opener in the ninth minute was somewhat fortunate, as his right-footed shot took a significant deflection, misleading Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. This touch was later credited as an own goal by Axel Tuanzebe, marking him as the 12th player in Premier League history to score three own goals for three different clubs (Manchester United, Ipswich Town, and Burnley). However, Diarra's second goal was entirely deserved, as he struck from nearly the same position 23 minutes later. Dubravka managed to get a hand on the powerful shot but was unable to prevent it from entering the net. Talbi secured the third goal after cutting in from the left and delivering an outstanding shot.

Burnley failed to register a shot on target and finished the night in second-to-last place in the standings.

Scott Parker’s team has not achieved a victory in 15 league matches since October. The Lancashire side was seven points ahead of last-placed Wolves but five points behind West Ham and nine points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Nottingham Forest.