Burnley manager Scott Parker has issued a defiant rallying cry to his struggling squad, vowing they will continue to fight after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace marked their fifth consecutive Premier League loss.
Defeat Deepens Turf Moor Gloom
The crucial moment arrived just before half-time on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, when Daniel Munoz headed in the only goal of a match low on quality. The result leaves Burnley languishing second from bottom in the table, having failed to score in four of their seven home league games this season.
Despite the poor result, Burnley created chances. Jacob Bruun Larsen struck the crossbar, while a handful of late opportunities went begging. The Clarets managed 11 attempts on goal compared to Palace's three, with Larsen's effort, a first-half curler from Jaidon Anthony, and a header from Armando Broja that was hacked clear after a Dean Henderson error, posing the greatest threat.
Parker's Defiant Message to Critics
Amid an edgy and nervous atmosphere at Turf Moor, Parker was steadfast in his post-match assessment. He insisted he was not concerned by the dismal run of form, instead praising his team's spirit.
"I'm not concerned," Parker stated. "All I'm concerned about is maintaining, keep learning, keep pushing. We're fighters. I'm a fighter and this group are fighters. This football club – this is what we are."
He acknowledged the challenge facing his relatively young squad, describing their current struggles with adversity as part of the necessary journey. "I've got a group here that fight. That may not be enough but my God when the curtain comes down at the end of this season we'll all be judged. Between now and then we'll fight and do everything in our power to try and be successful," he affirmed.
Palace Bounce Back to Fifth
For Crystal Palace, the victory was a welcome return to winning ways, lifting them to fifth in the Premier League. It ended a run of two frustrating defeats against Strasbourg and Manchester United, games in which they had led at half-time only to lose 2-1.
Eagles boss Oliver Glasner hailed his team's resilience. "What makes me really proud today was their resilience, their togetherness and the fight for each other," he said. "It's very tough for the players because this is a third game in six days... It's about staying resilient and that's why I'm really pleased with what I've seen today."
While the statistics offered some consolation for Parker, the stark reality is another match without points. The Burnley boss now faces the immense task of translating his squad's fighting talk into tangible results, with the Premier League table beginning to cast a long shadow over Turf Moor.
