Burnley’s long odds of escaping the relegation zone got a huge boost, as the Clarets took an early lead to beat 10-man Brentford 2-1 at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Sergio Reguilon conceded an early penalty and was sent off as well, as Jacob Bruun Larsen scored from the spot in the 10th minute. David Datro Fofana made it 2-0 after the hour mark, and the Clarets held on for all three points despite Kristoffer Ajer’s 83rd-minute goal for Brentford.
WATCH BURNLEY vs BRENTFORD FULL MATCH REPLAY
The Clarets were denied a valuable three points when they blew a 2-0 lead at West Ham at the weekend, but these three points make it four this week and definitely help the vibes. Burnley’s 17 points are eight back of Nottingham Forest and Everton, with both of the relegation rivals poised for possible points deductions.
Brentford’s injury-ravaged season sees them 15th but their advantage over 18th-place Luton is down to four points.
Kompany’s ideas there, but squad requires overachievement
You saw it on Burnley’s second goal — a clear idea of what to do on the counter attack and the ball in the back of the opponent’s net.
Yet that required substandard effort from 10-man visitors, and this is the problem for Burnley. Their manager, Vincent Kompany, might have them in a better situation if some of their January personnel moves happened in August. Lorenz Assignon should’ve had an assist from right back and Maxime Esteve’s effort to put off a Yoane Wissa break was notable (although it also appears that maybe Kompany waited too long to plug in Arijanet Muric for summer buy James Trafford).
Instead, Burnley need points deductions for Everton and Forest and wins at Everton, Sheffield United, and home to Forest just to have hope of safety. Kompany deserves to rebuild this team this summer — likely for a Championship campaign.
What’s next?
International break, then Burnley head to Chelsea at 11:30am ET Saturday, March 30, four-and-a-half hours before Brentford host Manchester United.
How to watch Burnley vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 11am ET Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Stream online: Premier League on Peacock
Burnley vs Brentford live updates — By Nick Mendola
Burnley vs Brentford final score: 2-1
Goals: Bruun Larsen (pen 10'), Fofana (62'), Ajer (83')
Burnley vs Brentford player ratings (fotmob.com)
Burnley vs Brentford player ratings (fotmob.com)
Burnley vs Brentford player ratings (fotmob.com)
Bees have equalizer taken off the board
It looked like Ivan Toney had solved Arijanet Muric, but the only solving of the keeper today besides Ajer has been fouling him. No goal.
Ajer pulls one back — Burnley 2-1 Brentford (83rd minute)
Wow.
David Datro Fofana makes amends! Burnley 2-0 Brentford (62nd minute)
This is a clinical counter attack, so much quality from Vincent Kompany’s Clarets against a slow-to-react Brentford.
Wilson Odobert plays the entry for David Datro Fofana — perfect-weight for a perfectly-timed run — and amends have been made for a huge first-half miss.
Brentford make pair of subs
Yegor Yarmolyuk and Keane Lewis-Potter enter for Frank Onyeka and Mads Roerslev as the Bees fight for an equalizer.
Bryan Mbeumo is on the bench for Brentford, the star forward still working his way back to full fitness. Might he find minutes today?
Halftime — Burnley 1-0 Brentford
The Clarets are letting the 10-man Bees hang around.
Burnley have 2.06 xG and are out-attempting Brentford 8-3 while holding 61 percent of the ball.
Arijanet Muric has had to make two terrific saves and a goal line clearance, and looks very good in place of young James Trafford.
Huge save!
Yoane Wissa is 1v1 with Burnley keeper Arijanet Muric as Ivan Toney quickly restarts following a foul.
Wissa has to shoot a bit early as he’s pressured from behind by Maxime Esteve, but it’s a terrific left-handed save to keep this 1-0 for the hosts.
Huge miss
It should be 2-0.
Lorenz Assignon picks out David Datro Fofana at the back post and all he has to do is pass it into the goal.
But Fofana turns his foot too much and angles it wide of the gaping goal. Oh no.
Ten men not stopping Brentford
The Bees have not controlled the ball with 10 men, but they’ve managed a healthy bit of it.
Burnley is pressing for the second goal that would make a second-straight heart-wrenching capitulation far less likely.
Fun and frenetic at Turf Moor.
Red card and penalty! Burnley 1-0 Brentford (10th minute)
VAR is checking a possible foul on Sergio Reguilon inside the box and not only is it a penalty, it’s a red card!
Josh Cullen sprung Vitinho on goal and Reguilon yanked him down. He’s been shown a red for his foul.
Jacob Bruun Larsen steps to the spot and beats Mark Flekken. 1-0!
Burnley lineup
Muric, O’Shea, Taylor, Esteve, Assignon, Berge, Cullen, Bruun Larsen, Odobert, Vitinho, Fofana.
Brentford lineup
Flekken, Roerslev, Ajer, Collins, Reguilon, Zanka, Janelt, Onyeka, Jensen, Wissa, Toney.
Burnley focus, team news
OUT: Nathan Redmond (hamstring), Luca Koleosho (knee), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Lyle Foster (undisclosed), Aaron Ramsey (knee), Ameen Al-Dakhil (undisclosed)
Brentford focus, team news
OUT: Christian Norgaard (back), Ben Mee (ankle - out for season), Ethan Pinnock (ankle), Rico Henry (torn ACL - out for season), Kevin Schade (adductor), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Josh Dasilva (torn ACL - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Sergio Reguilon (thigh)
