Burnley 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Ben Mee header gives Clarets important win

Burnley secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the primary time in 13 months as skipper Ben Mee scored the one objective to beat Tottenham at a rain-lashed Turf Moor.

It secured a victory that takes Burnley to inside two factors of security given their higher objective distinction – and inside putting distance of three of the 4 sides instantly above them, given Sean Dyche’s aspect nonetheless have video games in hand.

Burnley may even afford Jay Rodriguez to overlook an excellent probability to wrap up victory seven minutes from time when he turned the ball over from three yards with the objective at his mercy.

But this was a bitterly disappointing night time for top-four chasing Tottenham, who have been a shadow of the aspect that gained at leaders Manchester City on Saturday.

After a tepid opening interval, skipper Harry Kane hinted at higher when he headed towards the bar initially of the second half.

Dejan Kulusevski went shut simply earlier than Burnley’s opener, with Nick Pope saving from Steven Bergwijn within the guests’ determined seek for an equaliser.

Terrible situations

After the half-time whistle blew, the TV cameras panned to Spurs boss Antonio Conte.

The Italian was strolling down the touchline to the dressing room. His darkish blue cap, pulled tight onto his head, was soaked – and his darkish blue coat the identical. Head down, Conte strode on.

After the 45 minutes he had simply watched, the polar reverse of Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win at Manchester City, he may need been tempted to march straight onto the staff coach.

This sport was presupposed to be performed in November, simply earlier than Covid-19 ripped by way of the Premier League fixture record, however was known as off 45 minutes earlier than kick-off after heavy snowfall.

The rematch survived inclement situations however the rain contributed to an terrible opening interval wherein there was only a single shot heading in the right direction, from Burnley’s Brownhill, that was simply saved by Lloris.

Rodrigo Bentancur gave an early instance of the perils of a sodden floor, shedding his footing as he turned to chase Brownhill and doing the splits. The Uruguayan was capable of proceed, though he was changed at half-time.

With the wind howling as properly, at one level Dwight McNeil actually stored maintain of the ball till referee Graham Scott signalled for Burnley to take a free-kick. At the purpose he put it down, Brownhill instantly swept the ball in the direction of the field, the place it bounced straight out for a goal-kick.

Burnley’s combating spirit

The cameras have been on Conte once more on the closing whistle, strolling alone down the identical touchline as Turf Moor celebrated a well-known win.

It was solely the second time in 13 conferences Burnley had crushed their opponents, who stay in eighth place and 7 factors off a Champions League place.

The earlier event, precisely three years in the past, triggered the collapse in type beneath Mauricio Pochettino that marked the beginning of the turmoil Tottenham are nonetheless to emerge from.

Their current issues have been epitomised by Argentine defender Romero.

Since arriving in August for £42.5m from Atalanta, Romero is clearly a promising expertise.

He can carry the ball ahead, has tempo, isn’t afraid to threaten the opposition field and, judging by the best way he eased Wout Weghorst off the ball as he threatened to run into the field onto a McNeil cross, evidently has energy.

But Romero received caught beneath the ball by Mee, who then had a transparent sight of objective for the winner.

In distinction, Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski lacks Romero’s finesse however has all of the expertise and nous wanted.

He marshalled the troops when Tottenham had their greatest spell initially of the second half, making blocks and interceptions and delivering the odd verbal volley when required.

It is that battling spirit that gives Burnley an opportunity of getting out of relegation bother – and there are groups much less properly geared up above them who will likely be beginning to get very nervous.

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