TURF MOOR MISERY: BURNLEY'S RECORD SEVENTH STRAIGHT LOSS PILES PRESSURE ON SCOTT PARKER
Fulham secured their first win at Burnley in 74 years, inflicting a record seventh straight Premier League loss on Scott Parker’s side. We analyse the glaring defensive errors.
Fulham secured a win at Turf Moor against Scott Parker and Burnley, their first victory there in 74 years.
Before this match, Fulham hadn't won away against Burnley in 34 tries, a streak dating back to 1951.
But Marco Silva’s team managed a 3-2 victory in East Lancashire, in a game where Burnley only had themselves to blame.
Burnley gave up two worryingly easy goals in the first half.
The hosts played okay otherwise and were more of an attacking threat, initially equalizing through Lesley Ugochukwu.
But as they chased the game in the second half, Harry Wilson, who made Fulham’s first two goals, scored on a break, leading to boos from the crowd. Many fans also left early.
Oliver Sonne came off the bench to score and make the final moments close, but Burnley couldn't create any late chances.
Burnley has now lost seven straight games in the Premier League for the first time.
Plus, this loss casts more doubt on Parker's future, as his team has been stuck at 10 points since October.
Burnley got a boost with Axel Tuanzebe's unexpected early return, as he was thought to still be injured.
The defender had missed Burnley’s previous two games due to an injury from the recent loss to Brentford.
Before the game, Parker seemed unsure if Tuanzebe would play, but he started in place of Kyle Walker, who was suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Newcastle.
Lucas Pires was also out due to a red card in the St. James’ Park game; Quilindschy Hartman replaced him.
Hannibal served the second game of his four-game suspension after admitting to misconduct.
Jordan Beyer, Bashir Humphreys, Connor Roberts, Enock Agyei, and Zeki Amdouni are still out injured.
Marco Silva was pleased to have Antonee Robinson back in the lineup; he started for Fulham for the first time since September.
This was the only change Fulham made after last week’s 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, with Timothy Castagne out of the left-back position.
Burnley needed a good start to stop their losing streak, and they tried to deliver.
They won a free kick early on when Lesley Ugochukwu was fouled by former Claret Sander Berge, but Jacob Bruun Larsen’s shot hit the wall.
However, Burnley quickly fell behind after just 10 minutes.
Quilindschy Hartman missed Harry Wilson’s low corner, allowing Emile Smith Rowe to easily score from close range.
Burnley responded well and almost equalized right away with Bruun Larsen setting up Lesley Ugochukwu, but goalkeeper Bernd Leno made the save.
Ugochukwu scored in the 20th minute, finishing a well-executed team move.
Josh Cullen passed to split the defenders, and Ugochukwu ran onto it and scored past Leno off the post.
Burnley was only level for 10 minutes before Fulham regained the lead with another simple goal.
A cleared corner was played back into the area towards Wilson, who had plenty of space.
He crossed to Calvin Bassey, who headed home unchallenged.
The game got intense near halftime when Fulham’s Joachin Andersen was booked for fouling Armando Broja as Burnley tried to break.
Burnley took the free kick quickly, putting Broja through on goal, but Leno rushed out to win the ball.
Fulham then countered, with Wilson going through on goal, but his shot was blocked by Hartman, allowing Martin Dubravka to save.
Ugochukwu nearly scored again with a powerful volley, but Leno saved it.
Burnley seemed to struggle at the start of the second half, but they almost got back into the game when a backpass landed at Bruun Larsen’s feet. But Leno made a good save.
This was a key moment, as Fulham then scored their third goal.
Burnley pushed forward, leaving space for Fulham to counter.
Wilson scored the third goal, curling a shot past Dubravka.
Marcus Edwards and Zian Flemming came off the bench for Burnley, but it was too late.
Things could have gotten worse for Burnley when a Tuanzebe mistake nearly gave Fulham a fourth goal, but Antonee Robinson shot high.
The Burnley fans cheered when Mike Tresor made his first league appearance in 582 days. He played alongside Cullen in midfield.
Sonne scored to bring Burnley within a goal, shooting home after a Fulham defender flicked on Hartman’s cross.
Burnley had six minutes of added time to try and score, but they didn't create any chances, leading to boos from the fans at the final whistle.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
Must Read
