For 79 minutes, it was the morning Burnley wanted. James Tarkowski, standing in for yet another injured Claret—Ben Mee this time—struck one home near the end of the first half. Opportunities had been missed, but the lads were still pitching a shutout. Europa League hopes filled the empty stands at Turf Moor.
Then, they allowed a goal. The game ended in a draw. And after the dust has settled (Tottenham and Everton have played), Bertie’s Boys will be in tenth place once more, seven points back of the Europa League with just five to play, and ten points back should Man City win their appeal, which is evidently possible (I often Google whether that’s been resolved before writing a Burnley post because there’s no way I would notice the news coming out on my own, and today the headlines were all about how the club thinks they’ll win the appeal, which is yet another blow for the aspirations).
So, not the best day for Burnley. Yes, there are still chances, but home draws don’t cut it in crunch time. Heartbreaking for Burnley fans everywhere—perhaps most heartbreaking for those of us who slept through the game, but who am I to draw lines? Five matches remain. No one knows when the next one is (just kidding I can and will google it I just am not telling you).
