Burnley 1-1 Southampton: Ashley Barnes penalty rescues point for hosts

Burnley manager Sean Dyche said he was "baffled" by the decision not to award the Clarets a first-half penalty in Saturday's draw with Southampton at Turf Moor.

Ashley Barnes' spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage-time salvaged a point for the hosts after Jack Stephens handled the ball inside the box under pressure from substitute Peter Crouch.

But Burnley were convinced they should have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Barnes appeared to be brought down by Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, only for referee Anthony Taylor to book the 29-year-old for simulation.

"Had we come away with nothing today you'd struggle to believe what was going on," said Dyche.

"I am outspoken when people go down too easy. Ashley Barnes had no other choice as the keeper takes the legs away and yet Ashley comes away with a booking.

"I can't be any more clear in my idea. That first one was just a plain, simple penalty."

Nathan Redmond had given Southampton the lead earlier in the second half when he picked up Jan Bednarek's pass and fired a low shot into the bottom corner from around 20 yards.

Saints striker Danny Ings had the best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, firing straight at Tom Heaton in a one-on-one situation before being forced off with an injury.

Barnes twice went close in the final 15 minutes of normal time - forcing a point-blank save out of Heaton before thumping against the crossbar from Johann Berg Gudmundsson's flick-on - but he made no mistake from the spot.

The two teams are locked on 24 points but sit just two points above the relegation zone following Cardiff's win over Bournemouth in Saturday's late game.

All's well that ends well for Burnley

Despite collecting 11 points from their previous five league games - fewer only than Manchester United and Manchester City - Burnley went into Saturday's clash just one place above the bottom three.

It looked as though the Clarets were going to slip to their first defeat of the new year after Redmond's magnificent strike, but Barnes' late penalty stretched their unbeaten run to six league matches.

The home supporters were incensed at the decision not to award Dyche's side a penalty in the first half when McCarthy brought down Barnes, who reacted furiously at being shown a yellow card by Taylor.

Burnley had gone 67 games without a penalty in the Premier League prior to Saturday, but that long wait came to an end when Stephens inexplicably handled the ball inside the area - under pressure from Clarets debutant Crouch.

The 38-year-old came on in the 75th minute and caused havoc in the Southampton rearguard, having a goal-bound shot blocked by Gudmundsson before forcing Stephens into conceding the decisive spot-kick.

It could prove to be an important point for the Dyche's team, who face trips to Brighton and Newcastle either side of a home clash with Tottenham later this month.

Saints rue missed chances

Southampton were perhaps fortunate to draw against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but they should have picked up a win here after defending doggedly for the majority of the second half.

They came under intense pressure towards the end of the game as Barnes missed two golden opportunities to equalise before firing past McCarthy from 12 yards, but the visitors had created the better chances up to that point.

Ings should have given Ralph Hasenhuttl's side the lead in the first half after running on to Matt Targett's long pass, but the Liverpool loanee fired straight at Heaton.

Phil Bardsley cleared off the line within minutes of the restart after Chris Wood inadvertently flicked another Targett delivery towards his own net, before Heaton produced a fine one-handed save from James Ward-Prowse's header.

Victory would have lifted the Saints level on points with 14th-placed Crystal Palace, but they remain perilously close to the drop zone despite extending their unbeaten run under Hasenhuttl to five matches.

They will be desperate to return to winning ways at home to 18th-placed Cardiff next weekend.

Man of the match - Ashley Barnes (Burnley)

Barnes had seven shots against Southampton - more than any other player on the pitch - and showed superb composure to equalise from the penalty spot with virtually the last kick of the game

Redmond continues fine form - the stats

• Burnley are winless in their past 14 Premier League games played in February (D7 L7).

• Southampton have won eight points in their past four Premier League away games (W2 D2), as many as they managed in their previous 11.

• Southampton are unbeaten in five Premier League games (W2 D3), their longest run without defeat in the competition since October 2016 (also five games).

• All five of Redmond's Premier League goal involvements for Southampton this season have come under Hasenhuttl, with five goals and two assists in 10 appearances (after none in 15 games before that this term).

• Crouch became the second oldest player to play for Burnley in the Premier League (38 years, three days) after Graham Alexander in May 2010 (38 years, 211 days).

• Burnley's Crouch has played for seven different clubs in the Premier League, with only Marcus Bent appearing for more (eight, with Craig Bellamy, Andrew Cole, Wayne Routledge and Tal Ben Haim also managing seven).

• Barnes has scored 15 goals for Burnley in the league since the start of last season, more than any other player at the club.

First-half decision 'baffles' Dyche - what the managers said

Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "We were relentless in our attitude again and that is coming back into our play at speed. The least we deserved was a point.

"What a calm penalty Barnes took at the end of the game. He stayed calm and that's a good quality."

On Crouch's debut off the bench: "Crouch can play, he knows the game and can adapt. And he causes confusion. The ball goes into the box and people are wondering who is doing what."

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl:

"The 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Wednesday felt a success but this feels like losing. But I think it was a fair result. We had a few situations where we were lucky.

"We are unbeaten in five games which is important for me. We had a big chance but it's important to keep winning points consistently and that's what we are doing. It's important steps."

What's next?

Southampton host Cardiff at St Mary's on Saturday, 9 February (15:00 GMT), while Burnley travel to Brighton in the day's late game (17:30 GMT).