Vincent Kompany said David Fofana offers Burnley “something different” after the on-loan Chelsea striker came off the bench to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw against Fulham.
Burnley looked destined to lose their 10th home game in 12 this season after Fulham took control with two goals in the space of five first-half minutes from Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz – the Brazilian scoring his first Premier League goal.
But Fofana, making his home debut, came off the bench just after the hour and headed Burnley back into the game in the 71st minute before bundling in an equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time – two goals in 20 minutes matching his return from 17 appearances for Union Berlin during his last loan move.
“We can use any help we can get and David showed today that he gives us something different and we will need it,” said Kompany.
“I’ve not spent one second talking with him about what he did in the Premier League or with Chelsea. But he’s played in the Bundesliga, which is a very, very tough league and he’s a player that comes back with a wealth of experience.”
All three of Burnley’s January arrivals featured, with Lorenz Assignon making his debut from the start and fellow deadline-day arrival Maxime Esteve coming on at half-time to reinforce a defence too easily breached in the 17th and 21st minutes.
“I think that was a turning point for us, the performance of Fofana, the performance of Maxime Esteve, the performance of Assignon and the other players who came off the bench, that was a turning point for us,” Kompany said. “We have to have this week-in, week-out.”
Burnley, still seven points from safety, have been on the wrong end of late drama recently, but this result ended a run of 19 Premier League games in which conceding the first goal had spelled defeat for the Clarets.
“That’s what football is made for,” Kompany said. “In the first half we didn’t start badly at all but kind of out of nothing we’re 1-0 down and out of even less we’re 2-0 down and then, the first half, there was no real momentum in it, we didn’t really get going.
“But I saw a team at half-time that had character and passion and wanted to fight. The guys had a go at each other, five minutes later they’re in a huddle and they were ready to run their socks off and they got their rewards.”
While Burnley celebrated, Fulham rued what had looked like a golden opportunity to end a winless run away from home that stretches back to the opening day of the season, and a winless league run at Turf Moor which dates back to 1951.
“There is frustration of course in our dressing room at the way we lost two points this afternoon,” Marco Silva said.
“Until the moment they scored for 2-1 we are the best team in the pitch. We could have made it 3-0 instead of 2-1 but for their exceptional goalkeeper who kept them in the game.
“We lost two points because they punished the mistakes, it’s not the first time it has happened.
“You have to be stronger at this level. If you make mistakes of course you are punished. For 70 minutes we played so well but you cannot switch off and be naive like we were.”
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debuts in the United States with a fresh format, gathering 32 elite clubs for the pinnacle of inter-club competition. This edition spotlights Group D, which brings together the newly crowned UEFA Conference League champions Chelsea F.C., South American powerhouses CR Flamengo (RJ), and African dark horses Esperance Sportive de Tunis. However, Club Leon were banned from...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. One of the best left-backs in the world meeting one of the best wingers in the world.Nuno Mendes came out on top vs. Lamine Yamal Cristiano Ronaldo's impact with Portugal has been heroic Finding players for these teams Man City now Will Gyokeres join United? Only real football fans will get this.. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fu...
Bournemouth agree deal for Kerkez replacementBournemouth have reached an agreement with Rennes for the transfer of left-back Adrien Truffert.Le Parisien claim a deal worth around €17m has been agreed between the two parties and the move is expected to help Milos Kerkez secure his anticipated switch to Liverpool.Man City to send youngster to Lyon in Cherki dealManchester City will send one of...
Arsenal will be in the market for a new left winger this summer, and one of their targets is believed to be Man United's Alejandro Garnacho.The Gunners have been linked with several left wingers in recent months, with the expectation being that a signing will be made to replace one of Gabriel Martinello or Leandro Trossard – neither of whom have overly impressed when called upon over the las...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun claims Grealish has accepted his City career is over, and now Leverkusen are set to enter the race for his services. The 29-year-old is said to be valued at around £40 million ($54.2m), with ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag telling Leverkusen chiefs he could be the 'perfect replacement' for Liverpool-linked Wirtz.THE BIGGER PICTUREGrealish has gone from being a ...
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed terms with Thomas Frank to become their next manager.Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham last week after winning the Europa League for the Lilywhites and ending the club's 17-year wait for silverware, with Spurs releasing an intriguing statement blaming the Australian's dismissal on league form.The club finished 17th in the table last term and are now preparing f...
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plansLiverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has ruled out returning to the Netherlands before calling time on his incredible career.The 33-year-old came through the academy with Eredivisie side Groningen before leaving to join Scottish giants Celtic back in 2013.Van Dijk has since won two Premier League titles and a Champions League, among other tro...
Belgium celebrate De Bruyne's late winnerWales manager Craig Bellamy saw his unbeaten start to life in the hotseat ended after 10 games, but his charges put up a brave fight in Belgium, going down 4-3 to the Red Devils in an unforgettable FIFA World Cup qualifier (WCQ) that saw them fight back from 3-0 down.Despite their manager’s strong record, Wales knew this was going to be their biggest ...
Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack GrealishBayer Leverkusen are the latest club showing an interest in Man City winger Jack Grealish who looks set to leave the club this summer.Grealish, 29, has been left out of Man City’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and is seemingly unwanted by Pep Gauardiola.The England international has struggled to live up to the 3100 milli...
Chelsea dealt major blow in Hugo Ekitike pursuitChelsea are reportedly struggling to agree on a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for striker Hugo Ekitike who they are hoping to sign this summer.Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly value the 22-year-old forward at €100 million, a valuation that Chelsea are currently unwilling to meet.Ekitike had a breakout season in Germany, scoring 22 goals and provi...
- 1 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 2 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 5 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 10 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent