Burnley moved to the cusp of an immediate return to the Premier League with a 2-1 comeback victory over nine-man Watford at Vicarage Road that was decided in the space of 11 chaotic second-half minutes.
Josh Brownhill’s 14th goal of the Championship season had given the visitors the lead before Watford imploded with midfielders Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe sent off within nine minutes of each other, both for collecting two yellow cards.
Burnley equalled a club record of 30 league games without defeat and Scott Parker’s men know that victory over Sheffield United at Turf Moor on Monday will secure them automatic promotion.
The visitors had entered the game with another record in their sights, hoping to equal Port Vale’s all-time English league record of record of 30 clean sheets set in the 1953-54 season.
That ambition was thwarted in the eighth minute when Rocco Vata sent in a curling cross that was headed home by Mamadou Doumbia in spite of James Trafford’s sprawling effort to keep it out.
The goal kindled a challenge for Watford to become the first side to score two goals against Burnley in a single game this season.
They should have done so in the 23rd minute when Caleb Wiley drove forward and picked out Kayembe with an inviting cross which the midfielder headed wastefully over the bar.
A cagey game exploded into life in the final five minutes before the interval.
First, Marcus Edwards cut inside from the Burnley right and struck a shot on the run that was creeping in at the near post until Egil Selvik plunged to his left to hold it.
If Kayembe had wasted his earlier header, he was desperately unlucky not to increase the home side’s lead after 42 minutes with a rasping, rising drive that shook the Burnley crossbar.
Within 30 seconds Burnley had equalised. A raking CJ Egan-Riley pass to the wing found Jaidon Anthony whose pinpoint cross was headed downwards and in at the near post by Zian Flemming.
The game had been ignited into a free-for-all and Anthony saw a curling effort beaten away by Selvik before Kayembe had another opportunity at the other end.
On this occasion the midfielder tried to place his left-foot shot into the bottom corner only for Trafford to make a superb save.
If the second period began slowly, it erupted in an 11-minute spell around the hour.
Intricate interplay between Edwards and Anthony paved the way for Connor Roberts to float a cross to the far post where Mejbri’s mistimed cross-shot bounced up perfectly for Brownhill to head home.
Burnley’s advantage on the scoreboard was mirrored numerically as the teams lined up for the kick-off.
Flemming gave Sissoko a short push, but nothing that could excuse the Watford captain from putting both hands on the Burnley player’s chest and pushing him forcefully to the ground.
A first yellow card to Sissoko was immediately followed by a second one for dissent.
Kayembe became the second Watford player to receive his marching orders in the space of nine minutes when he clattered into the back of Lucas Pires having been cautioned just three minutes earlier for a foul on Edwards.
With the hosts down to nine men, the contest became increasingly tetchy with the yellow card total rising to 11. Selvik was required to make an astonishing point-blank save to beat away a Brownhill shot before Trafford pushed aside a Ryan Andrews drive in injury time as Watford sought to salvage an unlikely point.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga