Vincent Kompany’s Burnley scored two stunning goals in the second half to secure an unexpected win at Fulham.
It was a historic day at Craven Cottage as Rebecca Welch became the first-ever female to referee a Premier League game.
After Fulham had dominated the first half but failed to find a breakthrough, Wilson Odobert curled home a stunner less than two minutes into the second half. Sander Berge then drove towards goal and drilled home a low effort to seal the win as the Clarets won for just the third time this season and gave themselves hope of staying in touch with the teams above the relegation zone.
With the win Burnley have 11 points and are just three points from safety. Fulham continue to be a Jekyll and Hyde side as they remain on 21 points.
Perfect away day led by solidity
Burnley barely had a chance in attack in the first half as they soaked up pressure and frustrated Fulham. Then they went for it in the second half and their gameplan went to perfection. Vincent Kompany’s side put on the perfect away display as James Trafford made fine saves in goal and then the Clarets had individual quality as they took the game to Fulham in the second half. Odobert and Berge both scored stunners and that won’t happen every week but the endeavour and attitude from Burnley was totally different in the second half as Kompany’s plan was clearly to stay in the game, be level at half time and then go for it. Burnley have dragged themselves within touching distance of safety and they have shown they are now more stable defensively and their young side are finding their feet in the Premier League. Burnley have learned that they won’t dominate most games in the Premier League and they have to be resolute and bend but not break when they’re not on top. Their performance at Fulham was the perfect example of how Burnley can keep themselves in the Premier League this season.
Fulham vs Burnley player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Odobert had himself quite a day. The teenager scored a stunner and was excellent in the second half. Sander Berge scored a beauty too and dominated midfield as he won his battle with Joao Palhinha, while James Trafford stood on his head in goal to keep Burnley in the game throughout.
What’s next?
Fulham head to Bournemouth on Tuesday, Dec. 26 for a Boxing Day clash. Burnley host Liverpool on Boxing Day.
How to watch Fulham vs Burnley live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (December 23)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Fulham vs Burnley live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Great strike from Sander Berge - Fulham 0-2 Burnley (66th minute)
What a wonderful run from midfield by Berge and he kept running and drilled a low effort in from 20 yards out.
What a goal from Wilson Odobert! - Fulham 0-1 Burnley (47th minute)
Moments into the second half Burnley almost scored with Amdouni missing a glorious chance, then Odobert plays a brilliant give and go and curls home a stunner to put the Clarets ahead. What a finish from the French teenager.
Half time: Fulham 0-0 Burnley
A tight first half with few chances but Fulham looked the more likely to score with Robinson and Iwobi causing problems down their left flank. Burnley hanging in there and will be happy it’s level at the break but they will have to take more risks in the second half.
Trafford denies Iwobi
Fulham are trying their best to get ahead before the break and Iwobi cuts in from the left and his deflected shot may have been sneaking in but Trafford palms it away. Burnley are solid but not creating much.
Chance for the marauding Robinson
Fulham are pushing hard for an opener and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson charges forward and his cross is blocked and then a rebound shot was deflected wide.
Trafford in fine form
The young goalkeeper denies Wilson and Palhinha with two really good stops as Fulham are surging into the right-side of the box early on.
Fulham lineup
Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Tosin, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Iwobi, Pereira, Wilson; Muniz
Burnley lineup
Trafford; Vitinho, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor; Larsen, Brownhill, Berge, Odobert; Foster, Amdouni
Fulham focus, team news
Jimenez being out through suspension opens up an opportunity up top and one of Carlos Vinicius or Rodrigo Muniz (he got the nod in the League Cup quarterfinal) will start as the focal point of this fluid Fulham attack. Willian, Alex Iwobi and Andreas Pereira have all been excellent in recent home wins and Silva will hoping that Vinicius can plug the gap left by Jimenez, as his red card was a real shame as the Mexico star had just regained his form and goalscoring touch. Defensively Tim Ream remains out with a calf issue and Adama Traore is also out.
OUT: Raul Jimenez (suspension), Adama Traore (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Tim Ream (calf)
Burnley focus, team news
The Clarets have a few injury issues and losing USMNT-eligible winger Luca Koleosho was a big blow. The teenager had been their bright spark in attack this season and now it’s down to the returning Lyle Foster to step up and try and make the most of the handful of chances the Clarets create each game. Kompany’s side aren’t getting blown away but they also aren’t taking enough risks. It is all well and good sticking to your principles but now is the time for Burnley to throw caution to the wind. If they don’t win a few games soon the Clarets will be cut off.
OUT: Luca Koleosho (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Johann Berg Gudmundsson (undisclosed), Jack Cork (undisclosed), Aaron Ramsey (knock)
