Burnley 1 Wolves 1: Clarets stretch unbeaten run to four games but let lead slip again to stay well short of safety
TIME is running out for Vincent Kompany’s Burnley despite their recent upturn in fortunes.
Keeper Aro Muric produced an outstanding second half save to extend the Clarets unbeaten run to four matches.
Yet the likelihood is it will be too little too late for the Lancashire side with just seven matches remaining – barring a late miracle.
These are the sort of games they simply have to win if they are to produce one of the Prem’s greatest escapes.
Jacob Bruun Larsen set them up to do that with a well-taken first half goal – but once again they could not hold on to their lead.
Rayan Ait Nouri’s header on the stroke of half-time secured a point for the visitors – and left Burnley kicking themselves yet again.
Turf Moor was once thought of as a fortress but Burnley have won just two of their last 17 top flight games here – keeping only one clean sheet.
Yet five points from their last three Prem matches had given the Clarets a flicker of hope after looking doomed to the Championship in recent weeks.
The weekend draw at Chelsea – when they twice battled back with 10 men to earn a point – shows they have not thrown in the towel yet.
What’s more, their run-in could be worse – with Saturday’s trip to Everton surely pivotal if they are to have any chance at all of surviving.
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Even so, it will still take a monumental effort and only a run of wins will save them now as they lie six points from safety.
Mid-table Wolves were in no mood to do them any favours – creating some decent early chances.
Rayan Ait Nouri made space for himself in the box but Vitinho got back to make a last ditch clearance.
Matt Doherty should have done better as he curled an effort wide but then nodded one back for Joao Gomes who planted his header off target.
Burnley were being pegged back after a bright opening but then took the lead with a lightning break.
Quick thinking from keeper Muric sent Dara O’Shea away down the wing and his cross was volleyed in emphatically by an unmarked Jacob Bruun Larsen.
It was just what Burnley needed as Wolves were in danger of losing back to back games for the first time since December.
Yet Gary O’Neil’s men got themselves level just before the break.
Ait Nouri had been causing the Clarets problems all night and his darting run won a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Pablo Sarabia swung it over and Ait Nouri himself ghosted in to plant a header beyond Muric into the corner.
A VAR check showed the Algerian had timed his run perfectly and the visitors had the leveller with their first effort on target of the night.
Both teams had opportunities within minutes of the re-start.
Ait Nouri got on the end of a ball over the top and held off Maxime Esteve but Muric stood up brilliantly to save.
Vincent Kompany made a big call to axe record £19 million signing in favour of the Kosovan – but right now it looks like the right one.
Then Vitinho pulled one back for Bruun Larsen but the Dane’s low shot was stopped by the feet of Jose Sa.
The Wolves keeper had to be there again to keep out a long range effort from Wilson Odobert as both sides went in search of a winner.
At the other end, Mario Lemina’s header was just off target after he got on the end of a super cross from Ait Nouri.
Sub Jay Rodriguez thought he had bundled in a late winner for the Clarets – but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag.