Sunderland hold Burnley to a draw at Turf Moor

Burnley started Friday night as the elite in the Championship. Burnley not only has the most goals in the league, but also the fewest goals conceded.

On Turf Moor, Burnley is even more dominant. Twelve wins and a draw in the last 13 home games are in fact the reason why Burnley entered this game with a 13-point lead over the top of the table.

Vincent Kompany’s side were the clear favourites, especially considering the visitor was Sunderland, who took five points in their last seven entering this game. However, by the time 90 minutes had passed a scoreless draw was deserved, if not a little harsh for Sunderland.

Equal opportunities for both clubs

In the 68th minute, Amad Diallo’s shot took a huge deflection and went over Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. Fortunately for the hosts, the ball bounced off the crossbar and back into Muric’s grateful gloves. Then, immediately after, Burnley rifled forward. Nathan Tella had room on the left and he played a looping ball towards the back post of the Sunderland net. However, Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson easily claimed that ball.

With a handful of minutes to play, Burnley had another strong chance. Jóhann Guðmundsson was behind Sunderland’s defence. After Josh Brownhill missed a header in the top of the box, the ball fell to Manuel Benson. However, United States international Lynden Gooch made a tackle to force a corner kick and disrupt the chance.

Disallowed Sunderland goal ensures a draw at Burnley

Sunderland did shoot the ball into the net with seven minutes to go. However, Abdoullah Ba blocked Muric’s view of the incoming shot. Even though Ba didn’t touch the ball, he was clearly offside, just ahead of Muric. It prevented the shot stopper from seeing the ball until it was under him and in the back of the net.

Despite six minutes of stoppage time, neither side got a clear chance after the disallowed goal. The match would end 0-0, a first this season at Turf Moor. For Burnley it is only the second time this season that the club has not scored in a league game.

The Claret and Blue have already secured at least a spot in the promotion play-offs. However, a win against Sunderland would have left the club one win away from guaranteed promotion to the top flight.

Sunderland are happy to take a draw away from Burnley. As a result of the tie, Sunderland are six points behind the final playoff spot, having played at least one more game than any other team in the Championship. Still, participation in the play-offs is not excluded.

PHOTO: IMAGO / News images