Under the management of Sean Dyche, Burnley defied the doubters, critics and those with bigger budgets to earn promotion to the Premier League during the 2013-14 Championship campaign.

The Clarets were last in the top flight back in 2010 when they finished 18th, some five points adrift of West Ham United in the final survival spot.

So, how have they fared this time around? With five months of the season gone, Sports Mole has reflected on Burnley's season to date.

August

As a newly-promoted side, ideally a winnable home encounter is want you want on the opening day. While Burnley were indeed at Turf Moor, they were dealt a clash with title favourites Chelsea. Scott Arfield got the hosts off to a dream start, but the visitors, who were buoyed by summer arrivals Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, eventually won through 3-1.

It would turn out that Arfield's 14th-minute strike was the only goal that the Clarets would score in August. Next up was a trip to Swansea City, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the home side.

However, Burnley's first point of the campaign arrived against Manchester United, who were unable to break down their stubborn hosts. Indeed, Burnley actually went closest to breaking the deadlock when midfielder David Jones curled his effort against David de Gea's crossbar.

There would be disappointment in the League Cup, though, as Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday returned to Yorkshire with a place in the third round of the competition thanks to a 1-0 win.

September

If August was viewed as a slow start to the campaign for Burnley, then the events of September turned it into a worrying time. A credible 0-0 draw was recorded from the trip to Crystal Palace after the international break.

However, the same scoreline achieved at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland was not as positive. Dyche's men created some good opportunities against the Wearsiders, but their inability to convert them was starting to prove costly.

This was followed by a hefty 4-0 hammering at the hands of a Saido Berahino-inspired West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. In the Black Country, Burnley registered just two shots on target over the course of the 90 minutes.

It meant that six games into the season, Burnley were without a victory and had not found the net since the opening day. Dyche, as you would expect, remained defiant, but it seemed that his team were in real danger of being cut adrift at the bottom.

October

After 565 minutes of waiting, Burnley scored a Premier League goal in early October. Michael Kightly was the scorer in the first half at the King Power Stadium, where a stoppage-time equaliser from Ross Wallace earned Burnley a dramatic point against Leicester City.

Yet, the remainder of the month would be disappointing for the Clarets as their wait for a first victory continued.

West Ham United and Everton visited Turf Moor and both left with 3-1 victories, leaving Burnley as the seemingly permanent residents of the basement.

As the campaign headed into November, Burnley were the only side in England's top four divisions without a win to their name.

November

Despite some stubborn resistance, Burnley were defeated 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on November 1, thanks in part to Arsenal's big summer signing Alexis Sanchez, who scored twice.

However, next time out and at the 11th time of asking, Burnley tasted victory. Ashley Barnes was the hero, scoring the only goal of the game in their home encounter against Hull City.

This seemed to breathe confidence into the Burnley squad. Away at Stoke City on November 22, a quickfire brace from striker Danny Ings secured a 2-1 win. So, having waited so long for a victory, like London buses, two had come along in quick succession.

A home encounter with Aston Villa concluded the month and it seemed that they would be heading back to Birmingham with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Joe Cole. Yet, Ings kept his cool from the spot three minutes from the end to rescue a 1-1 draw. November's exploits had seen Burnley haul themselves into the relegation battle, when before that they had appeared doomed.

December

Following a positive November, December got underway with a hard-fought 1-1 draw played out at Turf Moor against Newcastle United.

Next, there was disappointment as former Burnley frontman Charlie Austin was among the goals as QPR defeated the Clarets 2-0 at Loftus Road. However, Burnley then took advantage of a faltering Southampton side as Barnes's deflected second-half effort proved to be the match-winning moment.

Slender defeats were then inflicted by Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, but the team's famous fighting spirit in their final outing of 2014 ensured that there would be plenty of positivity heading into the New Year.

When the half-time whistle was blown at the Etihad Stadium, hosting Manchester City were two goals to the good and seemed to be on their way to a routine victory. Burnley rallied after the restart, though, as goals from George Boyd and Barnes secured a 2-2 draw.

Position at start of 2015: 19th

Star player so far: Ashley Barnes

Must do better: Lukas Jutkiewicz

Where they need to strengthen in January: Midfield

Mid-season grade: C

To see Burnley's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.