Burnley edged into the Championship’s prime two on aim distinction as Michal Helik’s first-half personal aim gave Scott Parker’s aspect a 1-0 win over Oxford and his outdated Charlton team-mate Gary Rowett.
It prolonged the Clarets’ unbeaten run to 18 video games and was a ninth straight clear sheet, however Burnley’s goalscoring struggles endured in opposition to a aspect within the backside half of the desk, albeit one which arrived on a nine-game unbeaten run as Rowett has steered them away from bother since taking on in December.
Turf Moor had witnessed three consecutive goalless attracts earlier than this and the house followers sarcastically chanted ‘We have scored a aim!’ – their first at dwelling since December 21 – after taking the lead within the thirty third minute, even when it was truly Oxford who scored it for them.
Lyle Foster noticed the run of Josh Cullen into the field and the midfielder’s low cross was geared toward Zian Flemming however earlier than it may attain him the unlucky Helik turned it into his personal web.
It was solely Burnley’s thirty seventh aim in 31 league video games this season. However they have been worthy of the lead and the win as, eight days after failing to register a shot on course at dwelling in opposition to Leeds, they created greater than sufficient probabilities to have made this far more comfy.
Early on Jaidon Anthony mis-hit a shot from Hannibal Mejbri’s cross however the ball went straight to Flemming, who spooned his effort narrowly over.
They need to have been forward within the twelfth minute when Flemming back-heeled Anthony’s cross to go away Foster with a transparent sight of aim, however the South Africa ahead someway despatched it broad.
Seconds later, Jamie Cumming took too lengthy to clear and Foster closed him right down to deflect the ball to Flemming, however the Oxford goalkeeper shortly atoned for his error as he pushed a strong shot across the publish.
Helik then hooked Foster’s shot away from aim earlier than Josh Laurent despatched a half-volley narrowly over.
Burnley’s aim roused Oxford right into a response. Alex Matos’ shot deflected off Maxime Esteve for a nook that Burnley did not take care of, however when Helik despatched it again throughout aim Greg Leigh put a transparent header the fallacious aspect of the publish.
However Burnley re-established management over the sport and progressively strangled it as probabilities dried up at each ends.
As a hailstorm battered Turf Moor within the second half Burnley lastly discovered recent impetus as the sport moved into the ultimate 20 minutes, and will have added to their lead.
CJ Egan-Riley burst ahead from defence, swapped passes with Foster, after which prodded the ball dangerously throughout aim. Leigh nudged it out for a nook from which Foster had a shot straight at Cumming.
Foster’s effort from an angle was bending in earlier than Cumming palmed it away, along with his clearance simply eluding the onrushing Flemming on the far publish, and the goalkeeper then punched clear a strong effort from substitute Jeremy Sarmiento.
As time ticked down January signing Jonjo Shelvey got here on to make his Burnley debut, the previous England midfielder’s first senior soccer since his closing look for Turkish aspect Eyupspor on October 28, however fellow new boy Marcus Edwards stayed on the bench.
The win put Burnley two factors behind Leeds and stage with Sheffield United, though either side have a recreation in hand.
The managers
Burnley’s Scott Parker:
“We missed some good chances, that’s clear. I’m more pleased we had those big chances, in the right positions, that conviction about us, not hiding, putting yourself on offer to miss that chance is key for me as a coach. We did that, and we didn’t execute.
“There’s positively strain on us and there is been strain on us all season, that is an extremely younger squad, and I’ve talked about many occasions some gamers are enjoying a full season within the Championship for the primary time. The expectation is clearly big and we’re 18 unbeaten, one other clear sheet, received one other soccer match within the Championship so it is nothing however optimistic.”
Oxford’s Gary Rowett:
“They’d a few good alternatives [early on] they possibly ought to have scored earlier than the aim, and the aim finally ends up being one of many least threatening of these. I used to be most likely upset however I could not say it hadn’t been coming. However thought we had intervals within the recreation and we carried a menace, and we held on within the recreation.
“I thought we chased the game reasonably well, got in some good areas, put them under pressure and made it a little bit nervy without creating that one big moment where you’d say we should get something out of the game.
“I do not essentially suppose that will have been honest on Burnley’s efficiency, in order that’s the subsequent evolution of our efficiency. I believe we have proven we will compete on this division.”
