Like a Phoenix, Burnley Wins Second Straight; Claret Win at Stoke City, 2-1; Ings Scores Twice in Two Minute Span

BALTIMORE, Maryland November 22, 2014 - The Phoenix is a mythical bird that springs back to life from the burning ashes of a failed effort. Burnley now appears ready to realize that very role. For the first two months of the current campaign the Claret could not so much as win a single match. Only a handful of draws separated them from total frustration. Their two leading scorers from one year ago were doing nothing. Sam Vokes had still not returned from a season-ending injury suffered late in the last campaign. Danny Ings returned at the start of this season, but without his scoring buddy, Vokes, Ings appeared to be lost. He did score two matches back. Now, however, he is back! Danny Ings is back! Oh, he has been back physically and playing better and better, but now he is really back to where he along with Vokes ushered Burnley into the Premier by running roughshod through the Championship. Saturday, in a two minute span, he found the back of the net twice to push Burnley past Stoke City, 2-1, on the loser's home pitch. It was Burnley's second straight win and it lifted the Claret off of the bottom of the barrel and to within a hare's breath of a far more respeotable spot on the table. With 10 points, they are tied with Leicester City and ahead of Crystal Palace and the Queens Park Rangers. They are but one point behind Aston Villa and Hull City, and just three points behind Sunderland and West Brom. Suddenly, things are looking up for Sean Dyche and company.

At Britannia Stadium in front of over 27,000 fans, Ings struck first in the 12th minute, and then, again, two minutes later. Stoke was able to pull back to within one, but no more. Official stats showed Stoke with possession for 73% of the game, for all the good it did them. Ings has now scored three goals in his past three matches after going scoreless for five.

The Claret's next match, on November 29, is with Aston Villa, and it will be at Turf Moor. Burnley will have the chance to move itself up the table, and away from the land of the relegated, with a win.