Life sweet at Turf Moor

Last season it took Stan Ternent's side 18 matches to pass the 20 goal mark, this campaign they have done it in the first seven games.

They went nap against Walsall on Saturday but it could have been many more and big striker Gareth Taylor admitted: "We are scoring for fun."

Taylor, back in the side for Paul Weller who was ruled out with a hasmtring injury, opened the floodgates with a powerful header in the first half and he might have had more.

"We are creating a lot of chances and we have a lot of players who are capable of scoring," he said.

Already 11 players have found the net in the league and Taylor is confident there are plenty more goals to come.

"We only got 50 goals last season and were one of the lowest scorers in the division but everything has changed this season," he said.

"We have scored at least two goals in every game and there is a great belief amongst the players.

"We believe in what the manager is doing, we believe in each other and we just can't get enough matches at the moment."

Taylor thrives on the type of service he received from Mitchell Thomas in the 31st minute to net the opener and he praised the fit again defender.

"It was a good move and it was a difficult ball for Mitch to cross," he said. "But if I get that type of ball I am confident that I will score. I'm just not too sure what Mitch was doing that far up."

The goal came at an important time for the home side as, after a bright opening, Walsall had got back into the game.

The match started after an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of those who had lost their lives in the terrorist outrage in America five days earlier.

Clarets skipper Steve Davis was immediately in the thick of the action knocking long balls forward and in the fourth minute he almost created a goal. Ian Moore flicked his pass on and Paul Cook was denied by a fine save from James Walker.

The visiting keeper was again called into action when Kevin Ball met Alan Moore's corner, his header being blocked on the line.

But after the early domination Walsall showed that, like Rotherham a week earlier, they posed a threat. Darren Wrack should have done better when through on goal but he dragged his shot wide having got behind the Clarets defence.

Walsall took heart from that incident and forced a series of corners, the first of which Fitzroy Simpson got on target with Nik Michopolous having to punch clear from under his bar.

The Greek stopper then denied the same player again, touching the ball over the top after Simpson's delicate chip looked to be floating under the bar.

When Walker's fumble gifted Ian Moore a second on the stroke of half time it looked like game over but no-one had told the visitors.

With Wrack a menace, repeatedly finding space left by Burnley's defence it was obvious that goals could come at either end.

It was therefore no surprise when Wrack converted a tougher chance than that he missed in the first half, lashing a fierce drive past Michopoulos.

More chances came Walsall's way and in the 59th minute Stan Ternent made his first change.

The fans were unhappy that Lee Briscoe replaced Ian Moore and when Davis turned past his own keeper just past the hour the disquiet grew.

The Clarets had a valid claim for a penalty turned down after the ref failed to spot Matthew Gadsby's handball and the frustration was growing until Briscoe took centre stage.

In the 69th minute Paul Cook picked out Alan Moore with a ball that switched play from left to right and the winger's low cross was tapped in by the sub.

If that was a simple goal his second was simply superb. Glen Little burst forward and looked to collect a return ball from Taylor. But the ball broke to Briscoe who controlled it, shaped to shoot and planted a left foot shot into the top right hand corner of the goal.

His effort was then bettered by Cook who showed tenacity to win the ball off Ian Brightwell, vision to see Walker AWOL from his goal and skill to plant the ball in an empty net for this third goal of the season.

The last ten minutes could easily have been flat with the game won but it was not that kind of contest. Chances came and went at both ends in a match where there were many more attempts on goal than free kicks.

Both managers will have enjoyed seeing their teams create so many opportunites but neither can be happy with their defences.

But this was entertainment on a grand scale and come the final whistle there was no room for complaint from the home fans.

The tricky trip to Birmingham tomorrow is one to relish, safe in the knowledge that they will kick off on Saturday as league leaders no matter what happens at St Andrews.

And with every game at the top the confidence and self-belief in Ternent's squad appears to grow.

Taylor insists that there is no reason why the flood of goals should dry up and he expects the Clarets to be a handful for everyone this season.

First division defences can consider themselves duly warned.

RESULT: BURNLEY...5

Taylor 31, I Moore 45, Briscoe 69, 71, Cook 80

WALSALL...2

Wrack 51, Davis o.g 64