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Vincent Kompany is confident that Lyle Foster has the potential to have a "nice career" in the Premier League after scoring on his return to the Burnley side in their 2-1 win at Luton.
The 22-year-old, who was returning from a suspension for violent conduct against Nottingham Forest, scored the opening goal in first-half stoppage time and played for 80 minutes before being substituted.
Kompany was full of praise for the performance of the South African, signed in January from Belgian side Westerlo.“He looks a threat every time he plays, he took his goal really well and he also brings other players into the play so it’s promising for him, a promising start,” Kompany said.
“He had a cramp. He sat three games out and he runs his socks off every game and it took a toll on him.
“There was a mental health aspect last season and he needed to get support for that and he needed to feel at home and happy which is the biggest factor.
“He’s also a young player who has never played at this level and who’s slowly showing that hopefully he’ll have a nice career in this league.
”Burnley were under the cosh for much of the second half before Jacob Bruun Larsen’s fine 85th-minute goal sealed victory, just a minute after Elijah Adebayo had levelled for Luton.
Kompany hailed his side’s stomach for the fight as they moved up to 18th place.
“It was a complete performance in the first half and in the second half it was a battle and we showed character – from our defenders to our midfielders, coming in for second balls,” he said.
“In the second half we got punched in the face and we dug deep like we know. We knew that before the game.
“A lot of people have seen us last season, but I just wanted to show that (defensive ability) to others who might not think that’s part of our DNA. It absolutely is and any team I’ll be involved in will never shy away from a battle.”
Luton manager Rob Edwards admitted his disappointment at the late loss but credited his team for an excellent second-half showing.
“We dominated,” Edwards said.“It ebbed and flowed in the first half and I think they shaded it, but in the second half we pretty much dominated and deservedly found our way back into it so there are lots to be pleased with.
“We adjusted in the second half and I thought we were excellent, we dominated and there are mixed feelings right now. We are really disappointed we didn’t take anything from the game. But as a performance, it was a good one.”
