To anyone who says they predicted this result at half-time – I don’t believe you.

The Clarets were under the pump and while this was no Sheffield United debacle it was looking like another tough day away from Turf Moor.

Home really had become where the heart was for Burnley with Sean Dyche’s side still needing to tick off that all important box of a first win on the road in the Premier League this season.

And as unlikely as it was at the interval it was emphatic by the final whistle at Vicarage Road.  

Chris Wood scored with the Clarets’ first real effort eight minutes into the second half with other chances coming and going before Ashley Barnes’ penalty and James Tarkowski’s thumping finish made sure of things in the final 10 minutes.

A first three points away from Turf Moor this season not only got things up and running for the Clarets on their travels but also saw them keep a clean sheet on the road in the Premier League for the first time since their last visit to Watford in January.

Moreover, it is back-to-back wins, both by a 3-0 scoreline no less, at a time when it’s really nice to be building some momentum.

The same can’t be said for the struggling Hornets who saw a promising first half display unravel tamely in the second as they returned to the foot of the table.

There were many key protagonists here and Dyche rightly singled out his goalkeeper for praise.

Clearly buoyed by a first England start in Kosovo, Nick Pope put in performance that will mean support for him to be a future England No.1 stretches beyond East Lancashire and further afield.

There were eye-catching saves, two in the first half from Gerard Deulofeu of particular importance, the second from a free-kick with the opening 45 minutes almost up arguably a key moment in the game.

But more than that, Pope dominated his area and was happy to rise above crowds of players to relieve pressure at key points.

After hanging on in truth before the break Burnley then flipped the game on its head in the second period with those at the other end of the pitch coming to the fore.

The visitors scored three of their five shots on target and also hit the crossbar through substitute Jay Rodriguez.

Ben Mee was denied an almost certain goal by a fine defensive header from Adrian Mariappa with some neat footwork also setting Jeff Hendrick in on goal with the Irishman then thwarted by Ben Foster.

As for the goals that did come, it’s now six in six for Wood, the Kiwi hooking home a volley eight minutes into the second half after Tarkowski’s header from Dwight McNeil’s corner had deflected into his path.

Not to be outdone by his striker partner, Barnes made sure they were both on the scoresheet for the second game running with a little help from VAR eight minutes from time.

The frontman felt he was fouled in the box by Jose Holebas but play had moved to the other end of the field with the hosts threatening before referee Paul Tierney and the crowd were informed of the check, resulting in a spot kick.

Barnes just about did enough to join Wood on six for the season, Foster getting plenty on the effort but unable to keep it out.

It was then left to Tarkowski to finish the job on 88 minutes, his first effort saved before a second was lashed home for a first goal since December 2018.