Burnley 1 Wolves 1
Vincent Kompany is still upbeat about his side being able to pull off ‘the great escape’. As Wolves visited Turf Moor, the game was halted as part of the stands were having to be cleared due to a loose roof tile. Quite the analogy for the season so far for Burnley.
It has been a strange season for The Clarets, struggling to put performances together. They have looked impressive in moments but even doing so for a full 90 minutes has been too much to ask of them. Now in the business end of the season, they needed to produce.
Home games have been a strange atmosphere for Vincent Kompany’s side as you feel you can cut the tension with a knife. Burnley fans always get behind their side but while the scores are level, they seem nervous that they are going to be undone once again.
Their first real chance of the game did not come until the latter stages of the half. A superb cross from O’Shea picked out Bruun Larsen at the back post who struck a sublime volley into the bottom corner of the goal. There was nothing Jose Sa could do about that one.
Credit: @premierleague
Turf Moor erupted as Kompany and Bellamy celebrated on the touchline. There have been so few moments to enjoy for The Clarets this season, who could blame them. After all they could have won at Stamford Bridge on the weekend but came away with a draw.
In added time at the end of the first half, Wolves ventured forward. Ait-Nouri beat two players on the halfway line before striding towards goal. As a challenge came in, he looked to pirouette past the defender but slipped and ended up on the floor.
It was clear there was no contact from the Burnley player but nevertheless, the referee awarded the visitors a free kick. To rub salt in the wound, Sarabia clipped a ball into the box and it was headed home by Ait-Nouri to equalise. When luck is just is not on your side.
Wolves grew in confidence after the break and Ait-Nouri was causing constant problems for the hosts. He ghosted past the Burnley defence to find himself one on one with the keeper. On this occasion, his shot was well saved by Muniz in The Clarets’ goal.
Burnley’s confidence seemed to be dented but Vitinho got to the byline and picked out Bruun Larsen in the box. He smashed his effort towards goal but it was well saved by Jose Sa. You felt that was their big chance to take the lead once again.
As The Clarets pressed for a winner, Wolves failed to clear a long throw and it fell to Odobert in the box. He drilled a shot through a sea of players and somehow Sa pulled off a fantastic one-handed reaction save. What made it even better is the fact he would have seen that ball so late.
Credit: @premierleague
Gary O’Neil’s side almost served up the perfect sucker punch as Ait-Nouri swung in a teasing cross which was met by the head of Semedo. His solid header crashed against the outside of the post. So close to sealing all three points for the visitors.
Neither side could find that winner and the points were shared. It does not help Burnley’s plight and they are starting to run out of games despite now being four games unbeaten. Wolves remain in tenth spot but are within touching distance of the European spots.
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