MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 2

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MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 2 - 1 BRENTFORD

Clarets pick up three points against the Bees!

2024-03-16T19:24:37.249Z

MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 2 - 1 BRENTFORD

Clarets pick up three points against the Bees!

2024-03-16T19:24:37.249Z

MATCH PREVIEW: BRENTFORD V BURNLEY - Image 4

Burnley battled for a vital three points against Thomas Frank's Brentford in an exciting encounter on Saturday.

In front of a full Turf Moor, Vincent Kompany made a change in goal with Arijanet Muric making his Premier League debut and Lyle Foster returned to the side as a substitute.

It took just ten minutes for Burnley to take the lead.

The early drama started with shouts for a penalty inside four minutes when Vitinho was knocked over in the box by Sergio Reguilon. After the referee initially waved play on, a lengthy VAR check resulted in the penalty being given and Reguilon being shown a red card. Jacob Bruun Larsen stepped up to the spot and calmly found the corner to put the Clarets ahead.

Brentford very nearly came level when a pass from Dara O'Shea left Muric with lots to do as he flew across his goal to keep the ball from crossing the line. Striker Toney followed up the rebound, but the Kosovan was well positioned to help it around the post.

Positive play from the home side as they pushed for a second worked the Brentford backline. Bruun Larsen had an effort blocked and Fofana was lively in the box.

Fofana who almost doubled the home lead before half time. Assignon did well to beat his man and flashed a brilliant ball across goal, but the Clarets striker couldn't quite get his feet right to tap home.

MATCH PREVIEW: CHELSEA V BURNLEY - Image 3

Burnley were now moving the ball well and Odobert managed to get a shot away, but it travelled over the bar.

Muric was again called into action shortly before half-time, making an excellent save to deny Wissa one on one. Then down the other end Flekken made a great save to keep a Bruun Larsen effort out.

The drama continued right up until the whistle for the break as Fofana snook up behind Flekken as he dropped the ball on the edge of his box to clear downfield. However, before the Ivorian could capitalise he slipped giving the Brentford defence time to recover and clear for a corner.

There were no changes for either side at half-time as Burnley came back from the break keen to keep the positive momentum of the first half going.

Vincent Kompany's side showed their intent early, Bruun Larsen sent a tantalising ball in but Vitinho couldn't quite steer it home. Then Charlie Taylor managed an effort, but it flew over Flekken's bar. The Clarets were knocking on the door.

There was a lengthy break in play while a bleeding Roerslev, who took a hit to the face, received treatment from medical staff.

Before play resumed Thomas Frank took the opportunity to make a double change, with Lewis-Potter replacing the injured Roerslev and Onyeka made way for Yarmolyuk.

Burnley then doubled their scoreline.

After initially losing the ball Vitinho made a great recovery run to stop Lewis-Potter from getting a shot away. From the block Burnley swiftly moved from end to end. Wilson Odobert picked up the loose ball and found Fofana deep in opposition territory - pushing the ball past Flekken to make it two nil.

MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 2 - 1 BRENTFORD - Image 2

Brentford's Vitaly Janelt picked up a yellow for a foul on Fofana. He was then called into action when his well timed tackle denied teenager Odobert from netting a third.

In the first change for the home side, goalscorer Bruun Larsen left to rapturous applause from the crowd as he was replaced by Amdouni.

The Swiss did well when his driving run saw him take a shot at goal but it was collected again by Flekken. He then also got on the end of a Charlie Taylor cross but his header was also claimed by the Bees keeper.

A triple change for Brentford saw Mbeumo, Maupay and Baptiste come on for Wissa, Jensen and Janelt.

As the Bees threatened Amdouni found himself in the referee's book for a foul on former Claret Nathan Collins who had broken forward.

A corner for the visitors was punched away by Muric and he managed to keep out the rebound in what was a positive showing from the Clarets keeper.

Brentford did pull a goal back in the 83rd minute when Kristoffer Ajer's header from a Baptiste cross nestled into the bottom corner.

With two minutes of the 90 to go, Lyle Foster made a welcome return as he replaced Fofana before heading into nine additional minutes which saw plenty of action including Charlie Taylor being booked and another Burnley chance, this time for Wilson Odobert.

As the additional time ticked on another big moment came when a VAR check found Toney, who thought he'd found the equaliser, to have fouled Muric and the goal was disallowed.

The foul on Muric by Toney saw the striker pick up a yellow card, before teammate Baptiste joined him for a challenge on Cullen in what was the final action of the game.

With the whistle blown the team and the fans could finally celebrate and claim an important three points in their fight for survival.

Burnley: Muric, O'Shea, Taylor, Berge, Assignon, Vitinho, Fofana (Foster 88), Cullen, Esteve, Bruun Larsen (Amdouni 69) (Brownhill 90+5), Odobert

Unused substitutes: Trafford, Cork, Gudmundsson, Rodriguez, Benson, Ekdal

Brentford: Flekken, Jensen (Maupay 80), Wissa (Mbeumo 79), Reguilon, Zanka, Onyeka (Yarmolyuk 59), Toney, Ajer, Collins, Janelt (Baptiste 80), Roerslev (Lewis-Potter 60)

Unused substitutes: Strakosha, Ghoddos, Damsgaard, Ji-Soo

Goals: Bruun Larsen 10', Fofana 62', Ajer 83'