Sean Dyche made no apologies for prioritising Premier League survival over FA Cup progress after Burnley’s 2-1 fourth round home defeat to Norwich City.

The Clarets had picked up vital league wins over Leicester City and Manchester United going into the tie, to ease fears of being sucked into the relegation fight.

But defeat to the Canaries continued a miserable FA Cup run for Dyche, who has only guided Burnley past the fourth round once in his time at Turf Moor.

"The strange things about the cup is the feel of it. It's become affected by how big the Premier League has become," he said.

"I'm not doing it down because I'd love to have a really good cup run - it's the one thing that's been missing from my time here - but the fact is your eyes are still on the main prize, particularly for a club like this.

"We've just had two big results and two big performances. Would you then like a cup run? Of course you would. I'd love to win the cup.

"Would I put it in place of the Premier League? No, I wouldn't; just because of the facts.

"We've had plenty of success here and if you said to me that a cup run was the only blot, I'd take it, trust me.

"It's an oddity because you'd think that in seven seasons you would have something along the way, but there's been an awful lot of work done that will be above the idea that we haven't had a cup run yet."

Dyche singled out defender James Tarkowski for praise, who cleared two efforts of his own line and struck the Norwich bar with a header at the other end.

"James and Ashley Westwood were the two outstanding players on the pitch, full of all the energy and drive you need to be successful as a team, and alongside them there was no lack of will and desire," he said, quoted on Burnley's official site.

"We put a side out that was more than capable, but we didn't find the details you need to win games and I'm disappointed we haven't come out as winners.

"We prepared well and there was no lack of effort of energy.

"I'll reflect on whether we could have done with another round and a midweek game. That business side has to be factored in."