Vincent Kompany has shown class in his first win.
With a 1-0 victory at Huddersfield to kick off the 2022–23 Championship season, Vincent Kompany had the ideal debut as Burnley’s manager.
Both teams are disappointed to not be playing in the top division after the Terriers lost the play-off final to Nottingham Forest and the Clarets were relegated. But at the John Smith’s Stadium, just one team appeared to be of Premier League caliber.
After an excellent pass from Ashley Barnes to Ian Maatsen on the edge of the Huddersfield box, the Chelsea loanee scored with a lovely right-footed effort to give Burnley the lead after 18 minutes of dominating play.
At halftime, Kompany’s team had completed an astounding 301 passes; in contrast, they had only reached that mark in a full game twice the previous year.
After the break, the Clarets continued to play electrifying football, but debutant Scott Twine’s free-kick hit the post and kept the score at one.
Burnley notched up 70 percent possession with 507 passes and managed to keep Huddersfield at arm’s length for the majority of the evening. Kompany’s joy at the sound of the final whistle was difficult to suppress.
The following week, when Burnley hosts Luton Town at Turf Moor, the Belgian assumes control of his first home game.
