MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 0 OXFORD UNITED

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Clarets take all three points in dominant display at Turf Moor

2025-02-04T23:16:10.158Z

MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 0 OXFORD UNITED

Clarets take all three points in dominant display at Turf Moor

2025-02-04T23:16:10.158Z

GALLERY: BURNLEY V OXFORD UNITED - Gallery Photo 15

Burnley continued their fine form and extended their unbeaten run to 19 games on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over Oxford United at Turf Moor.

The Clarets could and should have been three goals to the good, before U's defender Michał Helik turned the ball into his own net just past the half-hour mark, with that goal proving to be the difference.

It was a dominant and impressive first-half from the home side, with the treacherous conditions in the second-half playing it's part, as the Clarets secured a 22nd clean sheet of the campaign.

Head Coach Scott Parker made two changes from the side that drew at Portsmouth last weekend, with Jeremy Sarmiento and Lucas Pires making way for Hannibal and Bashir Humphreys.

Deadline day signing Marcus Edwards was named as a substitute, after the forward joined on loan until the end of the season on Monday morning.

GALLERY: BURNLEY V OXFORD UNITED - Gallery Photo 18

An early chance fell Burnley’s way when Zian Flemming latched onto Jaidon Anthony’s pass, but the Dutchman could only lift it over the target from inside the area.

The Clarets then had a glorious opportunity just minutes after, as Flemming’s back-heel was picked up by Foster at the back-post, but the striker’s effort skimmed wide of the goal.

Burnley were dominating and had a third chance with just 12 minutes played, after Foster intercepted Jamie Cumming’s clearance, but Flemming’s follow-up strike was pushed just wide for a corner.

Parker’s men carved open another chance midway through a one-sided first-half, as Foster did well to keep the ball in play down the left, before breaking into the box and crossing for Josh Laurent, but the midfielder could only fire over the target with a first-time snapshot.

The hosts’ more than deserved a breakthrough that came just past the half-hour mark, when Josh Cullen’s ball across the area was turned in by Oxford defender Helik to give the Clarets the lead.

2024/25 SEASON REVIEW: FEBRUARY - Image 2

United’s first opportunity of the game came shortly after the opening goal when Helik headed the ball into the path of Greg Leigh, but the former Bradford City full-back saw his header sail wide of the post.

Following a dominant and strong first-half from the Clarets, Parker’s side headed into the break with the advantage.

It was a quiet opening to the second-half, with the Clarets then beginning to apply the pressure again on the hour mark.

Burnley made their first change of the night with 20 minutes left on the clock, as Hannibal made way for Sarmiento.

GALLERY: BURNLEY V OXFORD UNITED - Gallery Photo 16

Egan-Riley, who was putting in another defensive masterclass, then came close to doubling the lead after playing a one-two with Foster, but saw his effort turned round the post by Leigh.

With the game approaching the final whistle, there was a debut handed to midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who replaced Foster in the final stages.

Despite the Clarets pushing for a second goal to put the game out of sight, Oxford held on to ensure the score remained at just 1-0.

Burnley: Trafford, Esteve, Egan-Riley, Roberts, Humphreys, Anthony, Hannibal (Sarmiento 70), Foster (Shelvey 90), Laurent, Cullen, Flemming (Barnes 82)

Unused substitutes: Hladky, Sonne, Worrall, Benson, Pires, Edwards

Oxford United: Cumming, Long, Brown, Vaulks (Dembele HT), Placheta (Phillips 76), Brannagan, Matos, Goodrham (Mizouni 76), Leigh, Helik, Bradshaw (Harris 60)

Unused substitutes: Ingram, Rodrigues, Ter Avest, Kioso, Romeny

Goals: Helik OG 33’

Attendance: 18,187 (413)