Burnley secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 13 months as skipper Ben Mee scored the only goal to beat Tottenham at a rain-lashed Turf Moor.
Mee rose above Cristian Romero to meet Josh Brownhill’s 71st-minute far-post free-kick perfectly and send it back past Hugo Lloris and into the far corner.
It secured a victory that takes Burnley to within two points of safety given their better goal difference – and within striking distance of three of the four sides immediately above them, given Sean Dyche’s side still have games in hand.
Burnley could even afford Jay Rodriguez to miss a glorious chance to wrap up victory seven minutes from time when he turned the ball over from three yards with the goal at his mercy.
But this was a bitterly disappointing night for top-four chasing Tottenham, who were a shadow of the side that won at leaders Manchester City on Saturday.
After a tepid opening period, skipper Harry Kane hinted at better when he headed against the bar at the start of the second half.
Dejan Kulusevski went close just before Burnley’s opener, with Nick Pope saving from Steven Bergwijn in the visitors’ desperate search for an equaliser.
“We’ve not been far away all season,” said Dyche. “We are beginning to get the details right. People are ready to play and taking on the challenge.
“I believe in the players. When we are right we can compete with everyone – statistically we are strong during the second half of the season.”
Terrible conditions
After the half-time whistle blew, the TV cameras panned to Spurs boss Antonio Conte.
The Italian was walking down the touchline to the dressing room. His dark blue cap, pulled tight onto his head, was soaked – and his dark blue coat the same. Head down, Conte strode on.
After the 45 minutes he had just watched, the polar opposite of Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win at Manchester City, he might have been tempted to march straight onto the team coach.
This game was supposed to be played in November, just before Covid-19 ripped through the Premier League fixture list, but was called off 45 minutes before kick-off after heavy snowfall.
The rematch survived inclement conditions but the rain contributed to an awful opening period in which there was just a single shot on target, from Burnley’s Brownhill, that was easily saved by Lloris.
Rodrigo Bentancur gave an early example of the perils of a sodden surface, losing his footing as he turned to chase Brownhill and doing the splits. The Uruguayan was able to continue, although he was replaced at half-time.
With the wind howling as well, at one point Dwight McNeil literally kept hold of the ball until referee Graham Scott signalled for Burnley to take a free-kick. At the point he put it down, Brownhill immediately swept the ball towards the box, where it bounced straight out for a goal-kick.
Burnley’s fighting spirit
The cameras were on Conte again at the final whistle, walking alone down the same touchline as Turf Moor celebrated a famous win.
The Italian suggested afterwards he might not be the right man for the job following a fourth defeat in five Premier League games that has left them eighth and seven points off a Champions League place.
It was only the second time in 13 meetings Burnley had beaten their opponents,
The previous occasion, exactly three years ago, triggered the collapse in form under Mauricio Pochettino that marked the start of the turmoil Tottenham are still to emerge from.
Their present problems were epitomised by Argentine defender Romero.
Since arriving in August for £42.5m from Atalanta, Romero is clearly a promising talent.
He can carry the ball forward, has pace, is not afraid to threaten the opposition box and, judging by the way he eased Wout Weghorst off the ball as he threatened to run into the box onto a McNeil pass, evidently has strength.
But Romero got caught under the ball by Mee, who then had a clear sight of goal for the winner.
In contrast, Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski lacks Romero’s finesse but has all the experience and nous needed.
He marshalled the troops when Tottenham had their best spell at the start of the second half, making blocks and interceptions and delivering the odd verbal volley when required.
It is that battling spirit that gives Burnley a chance of getting out of relegation trouble – and there are teams less well equipped above them who will be starting to get very nervous.
Player of the match
WeghorstWout Weghorst
with an average of 7.76
Burnley
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Squad number9Player nameWeghorst
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Squad number10Player nameBarnes
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Squad number8Player nameBrownhill
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Squad number14Player nameRoberts
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Squad number5Player nameTarkowski
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Squad number6Player nameMee
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Squad number19Player nameRodriguez
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Squad number23Player namePieters
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Squad number11Player nameMcNeil
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Squad number4Player nameCork
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Squad number17Player nameLennon
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Squad number1Player namePope
Tottenham Hotspur
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Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-Min -
Squad number10Player nameKane -
Squad number21Player nameKulusevski -
Squad number1Player nameLloris -
Squad number33Player nameDavies -
Squad number4Player nameRomero
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Squad number15Player nameDier -
Squad number30Player nameBentancur
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Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
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Squad number19Player nameRyan Sessegnon
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Squad number12Player nameEmerson Royal
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Squad number8Player nameWinks -
Squad number27Player nameLucas Moura -
Squad number23Player nameBergwijn
Line-ups
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Pope
- 14Roberts
- 5Tarkowski
- 6Mee
- 23Pieters
- 17Lennon
- 4Cork
- 8Brownhill
- 11McNeil
- 9WeghorstSubstituted forBarnesat 89′minutes
- 19Rodriguez
Substitutes
- 2Lowton
- 10Barnes
- 13Hennessey
- 16Stephens
- 22Collins
- 26Bardsley
- 28Long
- 37Thomas
- 38Richardson
Tottenham
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Lloris
- 4Romero
- 15Dier
- 33Davies
- 12Emerson RoyalSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 65′minutes
- 30BentancurSubstituted forWinksat 45′minutes
- 5Højbjerg
- 19R SessegnonSubstituted forBergwijnat 79′minutes
- 21Kulusevski
- 7Son Heung-Min
- 10Kane
Substitutes
- 2Doherty
- 3Reguilón
- 6D Sánchez
- 8Winks
- 14Rodon
- 23Bergwijn
- 27Lucas Moura
- 40Austin
- 44Scarlett
- Referee:
- Graham Scott
- Attendance:
- 19,488
Live Text
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Match ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0.
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Second Half ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0.
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Foul by Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur).
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Connor Roberts (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jack Cork (Burnley).
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Attempt missed. James Tarkowski (Burnley) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Josh Brownhill with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur).
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Ashley Barnes (Burnley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Substitution, Burnley. Ashley Barnes replaces Wout Weghorst.
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Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Wout Weghorst (Burnley).
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Attempt saved. Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Son Heung-Min.
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Attempt missed. Josh Brownhill (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Connor Roberts.
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Attempt missed. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Cristian Romero with a headed pass.
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VAR Decision: No Penalty Tottenham Hotspur.
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Attempt missed. Jay Rodriguez (Burnley) right footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ben Mee following a corner.
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Attempt missed. Ben Mee (Burnley) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Jack Cork following a corner.
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Attempt missed. Ben Mee (Burnley) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right following a corner.
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Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Ben Davies.
- Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
Burnley skipper Ben Mee opens scoring against TottenhamBurnley secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 13 months as skipper Ben Mee scored the only goal to beat Tottenham at a rain-lashed Turf Moor.Mee rose above Cristian Romero to meet Josh Brownhill’s 71st-minute far-post free-kick perfectly and send it back past Hugo Lloris and into the far corner.It secured a victory that takes Burnley to within two points of safety given their better goal difference – and within striking distance of three of the four sides immediately above them, given Sean Dyche’s side still have games in hand.Burnley could even afford Jay Rodriguez to miss a glorious chance to wrap up victory seven minutes from time when he turned the ball over from three yards with the goal at his mercy.But this was a bitterly disappointing night for top-four chasing Tottenham, who were a shadow of the side that won at leaders Manchester City on Saturday.After a tepid opening period, skipper Harry Kane hinted at better when he headed against the bar at the start of the second half.Dejan Kulusevski went close just before Burnley’s opener, with Nick Pope saving from Steven Bergwijn in the visitors’ desperate search for an equaliser.”We’ve not been far away all season,” said Dyche. “We are beginning to get the details right. People are ready to play and taking on the challenge.”I believe in the players. When we are right we can compete with everyone – statistically we are strong during the second half of the season.”Terrible conditionsAfter the half-time whistle blew, the TV cameras panned to Spurs boss Antonio Conte. The Italian was walking down the touchline to the dressing room. His dark blue cap, pulled tight onto his head, was soaked – and his dark blue coat the same. Head down, Conte strode on. After the 45 minutes he had just watched, the polar opposite of Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win at Manchester City, he might have been tempted to march straight onto the team coach.This game was supposed to be played in November, just before Covid-19 ripped through the Premier League fixture list, but was called off 45 minutes before kick-off after heavy snowfall.The rematch survived inclement conditions but the rain contributed to an awful opening period in which there was just a single shot on target, from Burnley’s Brownhill, that was easily saved by Lloris.Rodrigo Bentancur gave an early example of the perils of a sodden surface, losing his footing as he turned to chase Brownhill and doing the splits. The Uruguayan was able to continue, although he was replaced at half-time.With the wind howling as well, at one point Dwight McNeil literally kept hold of the ball until referee Graham Scott signalled for Burnley to take a free-kick. At the point he put it down, Brownhill immediately swept the ball towards the box, where it bounced straight out for a goal-kick.Burnley’s fighting spiritThe cameras were on Conte again at the final whistle, walking alone down the same touchline as Turf Moor celebrated a famous win.The Italian suggested afterwards he might not be the right man for the job following a fourth defeat in five Premier League games that has left them eighth and seven points off a Champions League place.It was only the second time in 13 meetings Burnley had beaten their opponents,The previous occasion, exactly three years ago, triggered the collapse in form under Mauricio Pochettino that marked the start of the turmoil Tottenham are still to emerge from.Their present problems were epitomised by Argentine defender Romero.Since arriving in August for £42.5m from Atalanta, Romero is clearly a promising talent.He can carry the ball forward, has pace, is not afraid to threaten the opposition box and, judging by the way he eased Wout Weghorst off the ball as he threatened to run into the box onto a McNeil pass, evidently has strength.But Romero got caught under the ball by Mee, who then had a clear sight of goal for the winner.In contrast, Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski lacks Romero’s finesse but has all the experience and nous needed.He marshalled the troops when Tottenham had their best spell at the start of the second half, making blocks and interceptions and delivering the odd verbal volley when required.It is that battling spirit that gives Burnley a chance of getting out of relegation trouble – and there are teams less well equipped above them who will be starting to get very nervous.Follow Burnley v Tottenham text commentary, plus Wednesday’s Premier League latestPlayer of the matchWeghorstWout Weghorstwith an average of 7.76BurnleySquad number9Player nameWeghorstSquad number10Player nameBarnesSquad number8Player nameBrownhillSquad number14Player nameRobertsSquad number5Player nameTarkowskiSquad number6Player nameMeeSquad number19Player nameRodriguezSquad number23Player namePietersSquad number11Player nameMcNeilSquad number4Player nameCorkSquad number17Player nameLennonSquad number1Player namePopeTottenham HotspurSquad number7Player nameSon Heung-MinSquad number10Player nameKaneSquad number21Player nameKulusevskiSquad number1Player nameLlorisSquad number33Player nameDaviesSquad number4Player nameRomeroSquad number15Player nameDierSquad number30Player nameBentancurSquad number5Player nameHøjbjergSquad number19Player nameRyan SessegnonSquad number12Player nameEmerson RoyalSquad number8Player nameWinksSquad number27Player nameLucas MouraSquad number23Player nameBergwijnLine-upsBurnleyFormation 4-4-21Pope14Roberts5Tarkowski6Mee23Pieters17Lennon4Cork8Brownhill11McNeil9Weghorst19Rodriguez1Pope14Roberts5Tarkowski6Mee23Pieters17Lennon4Cork8Brownhill11McNeil9WeghorstSubstituted forBarnesat 89’minutes19RodriguezSubstitutes2Lowton10Barnes13Hennessey16Stephens22Collins26Bardsley28Long37Thomas38RichardsonTottenhamFormation 3-4-2-11Lloris4Romero15Dier33Davies12Emerson Royal30Bentancur5Højbjerg19R Sessegnon21Kulusevski7Son Heung-Min10Kane1Lloris4Romero15Dier33Davies12Emerson RoyalSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 65’minutes30BentancurSubstituted forWinksat 45’minutes5Højbjerg19R SessegnonSubstituted forBergwijnat 79’minutes21Kulusevski7Son Heung-Min10KaneSubstitutes2Doherty3Reguilón6D Sánchez8Winks14Rodon23Bergwijn27Lucas Moura40Austin44ScarlettReferee:Graham ScottAttendance:19,488Live TextMatch ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0.Second Half ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0.Foul by Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur).Connor Roberts (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Jack Cork (Burnley).Attempt missed. James Tarkowski (Burnley) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Josh Brownhill with a cross following a set piece situation.Foul by Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur).Ashley Barnes (Burnley) wins a free kick on the right wing.Substitution, Burnley. Ashley Barnes replaces Wout Weghorst.Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Wout Weghorst (Burnley).Attempt saved. Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Son Heung-Min.Attempt missed. Josh Brownhill (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Connor Roberts.Attempt missed. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Cristian Romero with a headed pass.VAR Decision: No Penalty Tottenham Hotspur.Attempt missed. Jay Rodriguez (Burnley) right footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ben Mee following a corner.Attempt missed. Ben Mee (Burnley) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Jack Cork following a corner.Attempt missed. Ben Mee (Burnley) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right following a corner.Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Ben Davies.Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment