LUTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Lyle Foster of Burnley during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Burnley FC at Kenilworth Road on October 03, 2023 in Luton, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Burnley striker Lyle Foster set a new record in the Premier League for a South African, after becoming the quickest player to score his first three goals but can he reach the level set by Benni McCarthy in his debut season?
Foster scored his first three goals in five games and has now raised expectations on whether he can reach the level set by South African legendary striker McCarthy.
READ: Steven Pienaar Lands New Job Following Ajax Exit
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany says he hopes Foster can look back on the impact he has had on the team this season and thinks that he can be a good striker in the Premier League.The Bafana Bafana forward missed the Clarets' previous two games due to suspension and marked his return with a goal against Luton Town on Tuesday evening, as he helped them win their first league game.
"Lyle has had a massive impact on us this season and anytime he plays he looks a threat and I'm sure he'll look back at this game and thinking he's on the way to hopefully being a good striker in this league," Kompany told Burnley media.McCarthy scored 18 goals in his debut season in the Premier League at Blackburn Rovers in the 2006/7 campaign and followed it up with eight goals and then scored 10 goals in his third season and scored one goal in his last season before he joined West Ham United in 2010. In his latter seasons, McCarthy struggled with injuries and fitness so Foster has an opportunity to have a better overall record if he is consistent.
Burnley had a tough fixture schedule in the opening games, as they have had to play against the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur but Foster showed he has the quality to score against the top sides after he also scored against Spurs, as he opened the scoring in that game but Kompany's charges went on to lose 5-2.
The biggest challenge for Foster in hitting double figures in his debut season in the Premier League is that he will be away with Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January next year and will miss a number of Premier League games for Burnley.
The Clarets' upcoming game is against Chelsea at home on Saturday afternoon.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
