Burnley Edge Notts County on Penalties as Nicky Hayen Starts with Win
In a thrilling encounter at Turf Moor, Burnley secured their place in the Carabao Cup second round with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Notts County. New manager Nicky Hayen got off to a winning start in his first competitive match in charge, as the Championship side overcame a stubborn League One opponent. The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Burnley prevailing 4-3 on penalties, thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Max Weiss.
Notts County took the lead just before half-time when Callum Roberts found the net, silencing the home crowd. However, Burnley responded early in the second half, with Zian Flemming leveling the score just two minutes after the restart with a smart finish. The game remained deadlocked, forcing the tie to be decided from the spot. In the shoot-out, Max Weiss saved two penalties, from Emile Acquah and Jacob Bedeau, while Zian Flemming, Zeki Amdouni, Mike Tresor, and veteran defender Kyle Walker all converted their kicks. Walker held his nerve with the winning penalty, sending Burnley through.
The match highlighted the gulf in experience between the two sides, with Burnley fielding a team that included 10 players with Premier League experience. Despite this, Notts County, who play in League One, three divisions below Burnley, pushed their hosts all the way. The result will be a relief for Hayen, who was appointed as manager in the summer, and it gives him a positive start to his tenure.
For Notts County, the defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow, but they can take pride in their performance against higher-level opposition. Burnley, meanwhile, will look to build on this victory as they continue their campaign in the EFL Cup and the Championship. The win also provides a boost for the club and its fans, who will hope this is the beginning of a successful era under Hayen.
Shimanta Das 
