U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

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Young Clarets claim well-deserved point

2026-01-16T21:47:27.534Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Young Clarets claim well-deserved point

2026-01-16T21:47:27.534Z

Young Clarets claim well-deserved point

Zach Johnson’s first goal of the season helped Burnley U21s to a 1-1 draw against their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts on Friday night.

The 18-year-old’s first-half effort was cancelled out by James Rowswell on a crisp night at the County Ground in Leyland.

There were two changes to the team that started last week’s trip to Manchester City, with Oli Pimlott returning at left-back and first-team winger Jaydon Banel earning valuable minutes further forwards.

George Brierley retained the captain’s armband, with fellow scholars Kian McMahon-Brown and Brandon Pouani playing in the 10 role and up front respectively.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - Image 1

The young Clarets dominated the early running as Banel tested Spurs ‘keeper Luca Gunter within 20 seconds and McMahon-Brown flashed two efforts wide.

Their persistence paid off after 16 minutes. Pimlott crossed for Johnson, and the number seven beat Gunter low to his right at the second time of asking.

Spurs grew into the game around the half hour mark and equalised with 35 on the clock. Pimlott was able to get a touch to Luca Williams-Barnett’s cross, but Rowswell was on hand to sweep home.

Burnley responded well and McMahon-Brown had the best opportunity of the remaining first half minutes, but shot straight at Gunter when one-on-one.

Last week’s scorer Vernon Masara replaced Banel at the interval and the first action of the second half saw Charlie Casper make a smart save mid height to his right.

Manager Andy Farrell then made a quadruple change on the hour, replacing Albert Blackie, Brierley, McMahon-Brown and Pouani with Marley Leuluai, Charlie Veevers, Luca Scanlon and Tom Tweedy.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - Image 2

Tweedy almost restored our lead with an outrageous first time effort from the halfway line, but the shot agonisingly hit the cross section of post and bar and bounced clear.

The Welshman was then involved in arguably the best move of the night as the Clarets pushed forwards in the final 10 minutes.

Tweedy controlled Casper’s long pass with an excellent first touch. He then found Scanlon, who fed the ball down the inside left channel for Johnson to cross just wide of Masara’s outstretched leg on the slide.

Spurs made a raft of changes in search of a spark, but it was Burnley who looked the most threatening.

The final chance of the night saw Veevers swing a corner off the bar and behind as the Clarets recorded their seventh Premier League 2 point of the campaign.

Next up is a trip to Arsenal on Friday 23rd January.

Burnley: Casper, Blackie (Leuluai 60), Pimlott, Campbell, Ashton, Brierley (Veevers 60), Johnson, Clark, McMahon-Brown (Scanlon 60), Pouani (Tweedy 60), Banel (Masara 46)

Tottenham Hotspur: Gunter, Rowswell, King (Furnell-Gill 67), Byfield, Hardy, Cassanova, Akhamrich, Olusesi, Russell-Denny (McFadden 84), Williams-Barnett (Lehane 67), Thompson (Arganese-McDermott 90)

Unused Substitutes: Maguire

Goals: Johnson 16’, Rowswell 35’