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REPORT: STOKE CITY 0 - 1 BURNLEY

Cullen's first goal of the season secures victory on the road

2022-12-30T21:47:37.653Z

REPORT: STOKE CITY 0 - 1 BURNLEY

Cullen's first goal of the season secures victory on the road

2022-12-30T21:47:37.653Z

GALLERY: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY - Gallery Photo 13

Burnley continued their magnificent form on Friday night beating Stoke City 1-0 in the Sky Bet Championship, as a fifth consecutive league win sees Vincent Kompany's men enter the new year at the top of the table.

Josh Cullen's strike in the 61st minute proved to be the difference between the two sides at the bet365 Stadium, moving the Clarets 14 points clear of the play-off positions.

Manager Kompany made two changes from the side that beat Birmingham City 3-0 on Tuesday night, with Ashley Barnes and Darko Churlinov coming in for Jay Rodriguez and Anass Zaroury.

First Half

There was an early scare for the Clarets, as Potters striker Tyrese Campbell nipped onto a loose ball and rounded Muric, but his effort was cleared away from danger in the nick of time from Jordan Beyer.

REPORT: STOKE CITY 0 - 1 BURNLEY - Image 1

Shortly after, Burnley’s appeal for a penalty was waved away by Keith Stroud, after Manuel Benson was brought down just inside the area by Ben Wilmot.

It was a quiet half from both sides in terms of chances, with no real efforts on goal coming until the 37th minute and it fell to the hosts.

Jordan Thompson’s corner was whipped into the area, with the ball falling to Morgan Fox in the six-yard box but his strike was saved well by the body of Muric.

Josh Brownhill then tried his luck from range with a free-kick, but his effort fizzed straight into the hands of Jack Bonham.

GALLERY: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY - Gallery Photo 8

Second Half

City came out searching for the opener and came close as Jacob Brown’s header inside the box was palmed away by Muric, before eventually being cleared.

Kompany then turned to his bench just five minutes into the second half, introducing the attacking duo of Rodriguez and Zaroury for Barnes and Churlinov.

And on the hour mark, the visitors had their breakthrough, as Benson’s teasing ball into the box was palmed away by Bonham into the path of Cullen, who turned it home close range before wheeling away in front of the travelling Clarets faithful.

Benson, who impressed once again on the night, made way for Nathan Tella with 20 minutes to play at the bet365 Stadium.

Despite late efforts from Alex Neil's side to claw an equaliser, the Burnley defence stood strong to secure back-to-back clean sheets.