EYE-CATCHING Chris Eagles has vowed to stay on top of his game to help Burnley reclaim their place in the Premier League.

The former Manchester United winger was the star of the show as the Clarets dumped former manager Owen Coyle out of the Carling Cup third round with a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday.

Eagles, who Coyle signed from Manchester United in his first pre-season at Turf Moor, made up for being denied by the woodwork for the second game in a row by providing the cross from which Wade Elliott grabbed the winner.

“They couldn’t touch him!” beamed manager Brian Laws, who last month secured Eagles on an extended deal.

The 24-year-old was the subject of speculation over the summer after failing to secure a place in the starting 11 last season.

But the Burnley boss has worked hard with wing wizard behind the scenes, specifically on defending, to improve his all-round game.

And Eagles is determined for the Clarets to reap the benefits.

“I want to take Burnley back up there and I'm not going to stop until I do,” said the Londoner, who received a standing ovation for his efforts in achieving another cup scalp at Turf Moor.

“If you hear the fans cheering for you it makes it better. I was struggling with my legs in the last half an hour but you hear the fans and you just want to keep going for them.

“I thank the fans for sticking with me because when the season started there were a lot of rumours saying I was leaving.

“My head was all over the place and I went up to Rangers but it didn't feel right.

“I'm pleased I'm settled now.

“It feels right here. I can't explain it, I just feel happy, and I thank Brian for what he's done for me, for having faith in me and pushing Brendan Flood for my contract and start playing me so I can prove what I can do.”

Of his defensive duties, he added: “I think learning the game you have to do it, and growing up I haven't done that.

“That's why I came out of the team last season when Brian came in because he didn't think I did that enough.

“I've had a lot of talks with him and asked him to talk to me and tell me what he wants from me and where he wants me and I'll do it because I know I'm fit and I know I can do it. It's just a matter of someone talking to me.

“In pre-season that went really well, and that's when Brian sat down with Brendan and myself and wanted me to sign. When it was finally done I started playing, and I'm loving every minute of it.”

Eagles particularly enjoyed making progress in the Carling Cup at the expense of former boss Coyle, who came in for torrents of abuse from the Burnley faithful.

“It was brilliant. I love those nights when the crowd's hyper,” he said.

“When you're playing you don't notice as much, it's more when the ball's out of play. That's when I heard the stick that Owen was getting. It was quite funny.

“I expected it, because you hear rumours around the town about what's going to happen, but it's all fun and all part of the game.

They're going to give him a bit of stick, but then he did a lot for the club.

“He brought me here and he give me the faith to play, and I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him. I'll always have respect for him like I do for Sir Alex.

“I wish him all the best, but obviously I'm playing for Burnley and I want Burnley to win. It doesn't matter if I'm playing against Owen or whoever, I want to win.

“But obviously it made it special that it was against Owen.

“We weren't concentrating on beating him, it was 11 players versus ours, and we know if we defend as a team our attacking side will come because of the players we've got.

“For myself and the team it was a very enjoyable night.”