Lancashire

Adam Cottier
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Twelve years to the day since he joined Burnley from Brighton, Ashley Barnes scored twice as his side displayed a ruthless edge so badly lacking for them in the Premier League this season.

At the age of 36, these were his first goals since last March and his first brace in a game since a memorable derby victory over Blackburn Rovers in November 2022.

Barnes' game time is limited these days, but he offers more to Burnley than just making up the numbers - much more than that. It's the reason why they brought him back to the club a year ago after a brief stint with Norwich.

And Burnley boss Scott Parker was effusive in praise of the striker after seeing his side win for the first time since October.

In his post-match interview with me, Parker alluded to the professionalism leadership Barnes exudes as well as the help and support he offers to the coaching staff, being a player who has seen it all in the years he has been at Turf Moor.

They were not just tokens of credit from Parker; these were heartfelt words of gratitude for Barnes' presence in good times - and the more testing ones - like now.

Barnes is adored by Burnley fans. He's been a super servant to the club with plenty of standout moments in front of goal. The wily veteran was willed on to complete his hat-trick on a winter afternoon that gave Burnley some hope for the challenges ahead.

Barnes will be there through it all, on the pitch - and off it.

His goals against Millwall were a reminder of the abilities he still possesses in the twilight of his career.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Scott Parker on the dominant FA Cup win over Millwall: "I'm really pleased. It is not always easy when you face a team who are going for a play-off spot [in the Championship] but I thought we approached the game incredibly well.

"Our general demeanor was spot-on and we showed some real quality by scoring some good goals. A really good performance and one we can hopefully build on.

"We have a really tight group here, who are really together and work tirelessly. When they get an opportunity they take it and we needed to freshen it up for this game because we have had a lot of games over the Christmas period.

"The boys that came in played superbly well and it has given food for thought in terms of their performances.

"There was a lot on this game because we have been searching for a win for some time now. Getting that weight off our back was key. We understand there are levels but this was about turning up and putting in a strong performance to get the win. That is what we did.

"We take the leanings and hopefully, this young group take some confidence because it is a positive."

Did you know?

• Burnley have won each of their last three home matches in the FA Cup – their longest winning streak on home soil in the competition since a run of four between January 2009 and January 2011.

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Having won promotion from the Championship in 2024-25, Burnley have struggled in the Premier League with only three wins in 21 games, the most recent of those coming on 26 October with a 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Wolves.

When the draw was made, this looked like being a tough FA Cup third-round tie for the Clarets as they are only six places higher in football's pyramid than a Millwall side that are fifth in the Championship and pushing for promotion.

Burnley boss Scott Parker made eight changes while Lions manager Alex Neil made seven, although it was one of the Clarets most experienced players that put them ahead.

Ashley Barnes, 36, was making his first start of the season after four substitute appearances and provided a clinical finish with his first chance after fine work from the impressive pair of Jaidon Anthony and Jacob Bruun Larsen.

Parker will have been pleased with the performance of back-up goalkeeper Max Weiss, with the 21-year-old German goalkeeper, in only his third match for the club, making three saves to thwart a potential Millwall fightback.

Weiss denied Aidomo Emakhu and kept out two Liam Cooper headers before French midfielder Tchaouna doubled Burnley's lead with his second goal following his £13m move from Lazio last summer.

Goals from Anthony and a second for Barnes took Burnley four goals clear, before Banel scored at the second attempt as the Clarets hit five in front of a disappointing attendance of only 6,856.

A late consolation from Coburn denied Burnley a rare clean sheet, although the game provided some welcome relief for the Clarets in a tough campaign that has them 19th in the Premier League and eight points from safety.

Parker will be hoping his side can build on this and start to replicate this form in the league.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Burnley boss Scott Parker has named eight changes to the squad which drew 2-2 with Manchester United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Maxime Esteve, Lesley Ugochukwu and Josh Laurent are the players who retain their place in the starting 11.

Burnley XI: Weiss, Hartman, Esteve, Laurent, Bruun Larsen, Ugochukwu, Anthony, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Sonne, Barnes.

There are seven changes for Millwall, who beat Swansea 2-1 in their previous outing in the Championship.

Jake Cooper, Thierno Ballo, Billy Mitchell and Macaulay Langstaff all keep their places in Alex Neil's line-up.

Millwall XI: Benda, Cooper, Ballo, Mitchell, Doughty, Langstaff, Leonard, Emakhu, Bryan, Grant, Bangura-Williams

There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Cheltenham v Leicester (12:15) - BBC Radio Leicester

• Everton v Sunderland (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Macclesfield v Crystal Palace (12:15) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Manchester

• Wolves v Shrewsbury (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 & BBC Radio WM

• Boreham Wood v Burton Albion

• Burnley v Millwall - BBC Radio London

• Doncaster v Southampton - BBC Radio Solent

• Fulham v Middlesbrough - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Blackpool - BBC Radio Suffolk

• Man City v Exeter City - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v Bournemouth - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Salford P-P Swindon

• Sheff Wed v Brentford

• Stoke v Coventry - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio CWR

• Bristol City v Watford (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Three Counties Radio

• Cambridge United v Birmingham (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Grimsby v Weston (17:45)

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (17:45) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

• Charlton v Chelsea (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire following North End's 1-0 defeat by Wigan in the FA Cup third round:

"From the first minute, we weren't playing how we want to play.

"I'm not talking about loose passes, a lack of energy or anything like that. I'm on about the things we constantly work on that I think give us an edge and we didn't do it.

"Everything to do with organisation really, things we pride ourselves on, we weren't as good as we normally are and it makes the game harder for yourself.

"One thing we've been pretty good as a group is reflecting properly, being really honest and then trying to put it right, so we'll do that again.

"It's just a frustrating performance. You get them, but you don't want to have them. We all feel the same because they've been few and far between."

I have a feeling this will be quite close. Millwall are really well organised under Alex Neil and I am not surprised they are doing well this season.

Burnley have started picking up a few draws, but they still haven't won since the end of October.

This could be the day that changes, although Scott Parker's side will have to work hard to finish Millwall off.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1 aet

Read the full predictions and have your say here