April 30, (THEWILL) – Burnley produced a late comeback win over Watford to enhance their Premier League survival hopes, while simultaneously worsening the relegation troubles of the Hornets.
Clarets centre-back James Tarkowski scored an own goal, but late goals from Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill turned the game around.
Burnley are now 16th in the table, one point ahead of Leeds before the latter’s evening kick-off, while Watford remain nine points from safety and have now lost 11 consecutive home games.
Watford started as if their life were on the line, and they were well rewarded when Tarkowski accidentally turned the ball into his own net after Juraj Kucka’s shot had struck the crossbar and fallen onto the Burnley defender.
The Clarets were down for the first time under caretaker manager Mike Jackson. However, he took advantage of a stoppage in play to gather his players and provide some new instructions, which appeared to succeed because there was a quick response.
Dwight McNeil, who has improved in recent weeks, felt he had won a penalty when referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot following a clumsy challenge from Moussa Sissoko midway through the first half.
However, after a VAR review, it was demoted to a free-kick on the edge of the box, and McNeil’s subsequent goal attempt was weak and easily cleared. Nick Pope had to be alert as the tide reversed back in Watford’s favour, tipping Emmanuel Dennis’ narrow angled drive wide and preventing the hosts from increasing their lead before the break.
Aaron Lennon tried to throw the ball low across Ben Foster, who was equal to it, and Burnley had the first big chance of the second half only moments after the restart. However, Pope was quickly called to action on the opposite end, diving to his right to deflect a powerful Kucka shot.
Foster saved Watford’s advantage as the game approached the final stages, diverting a close-range header from substitute Ashley Barnes against the crossbar.
But the Hornets could not hold out as Burnley piled up the pressure, losing their 16th and 17th goals of the season in the final 15 minutes of games, as Cork and Brownhill scored in the dying minutes of the tie.
Burnley’s left flank offered little pressure on the ball, allowing Charlie Taylor to cross to the far post, where Cork met it with a soaring header for his first goal of the season. Brownhill then kept his cool as the ball fell to him late in the game after Watford failed to clear.
Norwich has been relegated to the Championship as a result of the final score, with only the possibility of an implausible goal difference swing keeping Watford from joining them immediately.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
