Tuesday, August 21, 2018
EPL West Brom 1 2 Burnley
EPL West Brom 1 2 Burnley
Barnes launches himself in the air to meet Lennons cross to make it 1-0
Rock-bottom West Brom slumped to an eighth consecutive Premier League defeat as Burnley held on to win 2-1 at The Hawthorns.
Ashley Barnes brilliant acrobatic finish after 22 minutes sent them on their way to a third successive victory before Chris Wood doubled their lead with a header from close range (73).
Salomon Rondon reduced the arrears with a well-taken finish seven minutes before the end but the hosts could not complete the comeback and Alan Pardews side remain 10 points adrift of safety with six games remaining.
Burnley go from strength to strength, however, with Sean Dyches men just two points off sixth-placed Arsenal, and the sides face each other in the penultimate weekend of the season.
West Broms eight-year stay in the Premier League looks increasingly like coming to an end, and they paid the price on Saturday after an opening half which lacked the sense of urgency required for a side fighting for their lives.
Burnley dominated possession, but scored from their first meaningful attempt on goal as the impressive Aaron Lennon stood up a cross from the right for Barnes to volley past Ben Foster.
It was the fourth consecutive Premier League game in which the forward scored - the first time he has achieved the feat - and West Brom failed to test Nick Pope until Rondons header from Jake Livermores cross was tipped around the post in first-half stoppage time.
Pardew sought to inject greater endeavour and energy at the interval with Matty Phillips replacing Kieran Gibbs, and the switch had the desired effect as the substitutes cross was headed narrowly over by Jay Rodriguez 14 minutes after the restart.
But the necessary quality continued to desert the hosts, with Burnleys resolute defence absorbing their opponents best efforts and the game appeared over as a contest when Wood latched onto Matt Lowtons cute pass to head beyond Foster after his initial shot was saved.
It was only after Rondon pounced on a loose ball from Jonny Evans cross to fire past Pope with seven minutes remaining that Burnley showed any signs of weakness, with Chris Brunt unable to convert from Phillips cross moments later as the visitors held on for victory.
