Burnley

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

Chris W asked: It seems to me that Vincent Kompany has largely escaped criticism for a very poor season at Burnley and a stubborn refusal to alter his approach. Would you agree with that?

Phil answered: Hello Chris. I wouldn’t say he has escaped criticism because I’ve said myself that he has been guilty of a failure to adapt to the Premier League, sticking to principles that were fine in the Championship but looked like trouble in the Premier League, especially over-playing. Principles should also have an element of pragmatism.

He kept faith with his style and also an inexperienced squad and it is clear he took too long to change goalkeeper James Trafford for Arijanet Muric. And let’s not forget, Burnley also spent a lot.

It does seem that Burnley will keep faith with Kompany who is the central figure at the club, in the hope he will bring them back up again next year. But he will come under increasing scrutiny after a poor season in which his methods (principles if you like) were found wanting.

His stock has certainly fallen.

Follow the rest of the Q&A

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport journalist

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Having won the Championship title at a canter last season, Burnley were hoping the dynamic and attacking style developed under Vincent Kompany would translate into success in the Premier League.

The top flight is a different beast, however, and the gulf has proved too big for the Clarets.

A young and inexperienced side has been punished by defensive mistakes and a failure to take the chances which they created.

This defeat at Spurs illustrated why they have gone straight back down to the Championship.

With all three promoted sides instantly relegated, questions have been asked about whether the gap between the two leagues is becoming untraversable.

Kompany says Burnley will keep trying to bridge it. If they do return to the Premier League under the Belgian, he hopes some of the harsh lessons learned this season will help them secure a longer stay next time.

Vincent Kompany, spoke to BBC Sport after Burnley's defeat against Tottenham: "I'm very lucky to be surrounded by good people, hardworking players, staff and fans who have backed the club for generations. That's who we try to do it for every weekend.

"Today the Premier League is over but tomorrow we start day one of doing everything we can to get back to the Premier League.

"The game has gone a bit like others have gone for us this season. We created chances but the one where we missed the final pass.

"I'm not here sulking and feeling sorry for us but if you take every game, every season as a learning experience, this is step we need to get into our game."

• Tottenham have rescued 25 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, their most in a campaign (previously 24 in 2010-11). Indeed, only Liverpool (28) have come from behind to win more points in the Premier League this term than Spurs.

• Since their debut Premier League campaign in 2009-10, no side has been relegated from the top-flight on more occasions than Burnley (4 times, level with Norwich), facing the drop in 2009-10, 2014-15, 2021-22 and now 2023-24.

• All three of Micky van de Ven’s Premier League goals for Tottenham this season have been winners, also netting against Luton in October and Nottingham Forest last month.

• Burnley have dropped 27 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, with only Brentford (30) losing more. Indeed, the Clarets have won just five of their 16 league games in which they’ve led this term (D6 L5).

• Tottenham have gone 1-0 down in each of their past five Premier League games, their longest such run since conceding first in seven consecutive league matches between October 2022 – January 2023.

• Five of Jacob Bruun Larsen’s six Premier League goals this season have put Burnley one goal in the lead, with each of his past four strikes being the opening goal of the game.

Burnley have been relegated from the Premier League after they could not secure a win at Tottenham which would have kept their hopes alive.

The Clarets, who knew a draw or defeat meant they would no longer be able to catch fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, took the lead when Jacob Bruun Larsen slid in a 25th-minute opener.

The joy among the travelling fans was tempered seven minutes later when Pedro Perro hammered in an equaliser.

After dominating the second half without finding a way through, Spurs were finally rewarded when defender Micky van de Ven burst forward and expertly slotted the winner into the bottom corner.

The draw would have done few favours for fifth-placed Tottenham, who needed a win to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the race for the Champions League.

Were you at the ground or following along from home?

Spurs fans, give us your thoughts on the game.

Tell us what you made of the performance, Burnley supporters.

Follow all the reaction here

There are eight Premier League games taking place today, and you can stay updated with all of them via our live page.

Keep up with all the action and reaction here.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

From Burnley's perspective, the fact Nottingham Forest's points deduction was upheld means they are not down yet, but if they don't win here then they will be relegated.

It felt like the end for them after the Newcastle game last weekend and while they have not quite been given a reprieve, I suppose the good news is that they are still not out of it. They might even think this is a good time to play a Tottenham team who have lost four in a row.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will be concerned about his side's loss of form but this is the ideal fixture for them to bounce back. I would still say Spurs have a had a good season even if fourth place appears beyond them now, and they will have a point to prove here.

Serge's prediction: 2-0

It's win or bust for Burnley but I can't see Spurs dropping points here. Ange needs a performance - the Spurs fans are happy but the team needs to show them something for next season now.

Read all of the predictions here

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Vincent Kompany has rejected suggestions Burnley's game at Tottenham is "high pressure" this weekend.

The Clarets must win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and hope Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest to avoid an instant return to the Championship.

Despite the stakes, Kompany is insisting his team travel south intending to play with freedom.

"I wouldn't describe this game as high pressure for us," Kompany said. "I don't think we have anything to lose.

"If you go into this weekend protecting a two-point lead I can see how that's a different mindset. Perhaps I'd be trying to convince myself if I was saying there is no pressure at that moment, but in this case I genuinely believe it's all opportunity for us."

Tottenham have lost four in a row in the league, a run that has all but ended their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Should Burnley win, and Forest lose, Kompany's side would close the gap to two points before hosting the Reds on the final day of the season.

"I don't want to think about the Forest game right now," Kompany said. "I think of Spurs as our last game and if we give ourselves a final versus Forest, then that's a final.

"This is our last game of the regular season, and anything can happen on the final day of the season as you know."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Researcher

Vincent Kompany has been speaking to the media before Burnley's trip to Tottenham on Saturday.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• On Nottingham Forest losing their appeal against their points deduction: "I didn't pay attention to it. Of course, I'm desperate for us to stay up but I've taught myself how to handle these situations by not paying too much attention to it. It's not something I could have affected anyway. The decision has been made."

• On the attacking nature of the Premier League in 2023-24: "I think this year [has been] a striker's league. You can rattle through and 80% of the teams are on the front foot and the strikers are having really big spaces [in which] to attack."

• He contrasted this statistic with his own team's struggle for goals: "We have to work hard for our goals. I think we've been constant in raising the amount of chances we've had this season. We know that we have to have players that improve during the season, not players who are ready to make 20 goals. I'd like the numbers to improve, but I'm willing to take the journey with them to get there."

• On Sander Berge winning the club's player of the season award: "His improvement puts a highlight on everybody else's improvement. In nearly every game he's been at the same level, if not at a better level than the midfielders we have faced. He belongs at this level and he's important for us in every game."

• On if he expects interest in the Norway international in the summer. "I haven't thought about it. I want him to get better to help Burnley - that's my role as the coach. Good players always attract interest so that wouldn't surprise me."

• Kompany confirmed Maxime Esteve is back in contention after illness meant he was replaced during last week's game against Newcastle. However, Luca Koleosho remains out of contention.

• He made the following comment about Burnley's on-loan striker Michael Obafemi being left out of Milwall's squad last week due to a 'disciplinary issue': "As a club, I don't think we're too pleased with the fact there was a big statement about it. We always have a duty of care for the players we have but I don't want to get involved in other club's affairs."

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

A lot of teams play their penultimate Premier League game of the season this weekend.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League. Aston Villa can finish no lower than fifth so will be in the Europa League at worst. Liverpool’s Europa Conference League place for winning the Carabao Cup reverts to the league and Sheffield United have been relegated.

But much is still to be decided.

Despite nobody being able to win the title just yet, here is what could happen...

Aston Villa can clinch the fourth and final Champions League place despite not playing until Monday:

• If Tottenham lose on Saturday, Villa qualify without kicking a ball;

• If Tottenham draw, Villa qualify if they draw with Liverpool on Monday;

• If Tottenham win, Villa qualify if they beat Liverpool.

Tottenham can ensure a top-five finish:

• If they win, Newcastle United lose and Chelsea and Manchester United both fail to win.

Failing that, Spurs can ensure a top-six finish - Europa Conference League at worst:

• If they win AND Chelsea and Manchester United both fail to win;

• If they win AND Newcastle lose AND one of Chelsea and Manchester United fail to win;

• If they draw AND Chelsea and Manchester United both lose.

The other two relegation places could also be settled this weekend.

Burnley will be relegated:

• If they fail to win at Tottenham on Saturday, whatever happens elsewhere;

• If Nottingham Forest win against Chelsea.

If Burnley win and Forest draw, the Clarets will be teetering and will need a huge swing in goal difference on the final day of the season when the two sides meet.

Luton Town are slightly better off than Burnley, but will be relegated:

• If they lose at West Ham AND Nottingham Forest avoid defeat;

• If they lose AND Burnley win, even if Forest lose;

• If they draw AND Forest win.

If Forest match Luton's result, the Hatters will be on the brink as they would need a big swing in goal difference on the final day.

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Tottenham and Burnley in the Premier League.

• Tottenham have won seven of their eight Premier League home games against Burnley and have won the past four without conceding. Only against Crystal Palace between 2015 and 2019 have they won five in a row at home and kept a clean sheet each time in the competition.

• Burnley have not won in their past 10 away league games against Tottenham since a 3-2 win at White Hart Lane in October 1974.

• Spurs have conceded four or more goals in four different Premier League games this season - most recently doing so more in 2013-14 (five). They have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past 13 home league games - their longest streak since a run of 15 between December 2002 and September 2003.

• Failure to win for Burnley will see them relegated from the Premier League for the fourth time. The Clarets have lost all seven of their league games against sides starting the day in the top five this season by an aggregate score of 24-7.

• Tottenham’s Son Heung-min has been directly involved in eight goals in his past six Premier League games against Burnley (five goals, three assists). He scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor in September.

• Burnley’s Arijanet Muric has the highest save percentage of any keeper in the Premier League this season (81.3%). Despite playing just eight games so far, he has also got the second highest goals prevented rate (seven).

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have announced Castore will be the club's new kit supplier next season, replacing Umbro who have been designing the Clarets' kits since 2019.

The club has penned a "multi-year" contract with the brand, which will see the Manchester-based company supply training and playing kits for the men's, women's and academy teams.

Burnley chairman Alan Pace said: "As organisations we have similar values, the desire to push boundaries, a passion for innovation and a mission to make athletes better.

"Castore's philosophy of 'Better Never Stops' is perfectly aligned with our vision as a forever forward-thinking football club.

"With an esteemed portfolio of world-class athletes and brands from across the world of sport, I look forward to together developing a powerful partnership to build our brand globally and one that our fans can enjoy."

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest's unsuccessful appeal over their four-point deduction for breaking the Premier League's financial rules will be greeted with a few cheers in Lancashire.

Had Nuno Espirito Santo's side been given two points back, it would have mathematically confirmed Burnley's relegation back to the Championship.

Vincent Kompany's side were humbled 4-1 at home by Newcastle United on Saturday, severely denting their prospects of Premier League football next season by leaving them five points adrift of safety.

They will have been keeping an eye on developments at the City Ground. The Clarets now retain a glimmer of hope but will need results to go their way.

Burnley must win at Tottenham on Saturday and hope both Nottingham Forest (home to Chelsea) and Luton Town (away at West Ham) lose to take it to the final day of the season.

Kompany has asked for "one opportunity" in their bid to stay up and that would come at Turf Moor with everything to play for against... Forest!

Just imagine the scenes if Burnley were to pull off the greatest survival story the Premier League has seen.

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

A thoroughly miserable season is nearly at an end.

While my competitive nature and logical brain understand that as a professional sports entity the aim has to be playing at the very top along with the elite, my overwhelming feeling will be relief to see the back of it.

Vincent Kompany said again after Saturday's match that he could not fault the effort of the players and he felt pride that they did not give up. I personally have not seen that effort. I see a side that conceded the first goal and just let the drive and optimism seep out of them. We seemed to practically sleepwalk through another three goals.

I felt so underwhelmed when I left the ground that I was convinced we had lost 4-0 and had completely forgotten about Dara O'Shea's [albeit lovely] header.

I have seen this same comment - a perceived lack of effort - so much online this weekend that it seemed sensible to address it. Are we being unfair? I have sympathy for the mental toll that persistent losses must inflict on athletes. It cannot be easy.

Kompany knows these players and sports science far better than me, so maybe mental resilience shows itself in other forms not immediately obvious to the humble fan? If that is true, is there a way that Kompany can communicate that message better in his post-match analysis, so it does not feel like a PR piece? Fans are not stupid and can see through tricks like that.

I think everyone has reached that point now where we just need to get to the end of this horrible campaign. Reset in the summer. Rebuild a squad. Build some bridges. Win the Championship. Enjoy our football again.

Because football is a way of life for so many of us in our community - and we want the smiles back.

Natalie can be found at No Nay Never podcast, external

On the latest episode of Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says the points deduction situation has been unfair on Burnley and Luton, describing it as an "absolute shambles".

Listen to the full episode here

We asked for your reaction to Saturday's match between Burnley and Newcastle.

Here are some of your answers:

Burnley fans

Mike: That's what capitulation looks like. Miserable game and miserable Bank Holiday weather. [Vincent] Kompany must be wondering how he ended up here. Championship football cannot come soon enough.

Bob: Just when there was a small ember of hope, this team finds a way to snuff it out before you get too excited. Vincent, this season is down to you. Playing youngsters who had little or no experience of first-team football, let alone in England and not playing the team that walked the Championship. The [James] Trafford v [Arijanet] Muric debate all season. Why ?

Jack: Was a really good start but we just weren’t able to hold on and Newcastle showed why they were in the Champions League earlier this season. Have to accept our fate now after Nottingham Forest won, but hopefully we can do it again in the Championship.

Steven: Don’t know where that performance came from after the first 15 minutes but remember they are a very good side! Poorest performance for a while in the biggest game of the season. Let’s get ready for next week - stranger things have happened!

Newcastle fans

Simon: Very positive team performance, We managed the game well and were quick and strong going forward. Given our injuries, particularly in defence, the back row performed well. Dan Burn is in form in his more natural centre back role. I am feeling positive about our final few games and chase for sixth place. Well done team - Eddie, staff and above all fans.

Kegs: Cracking performance. [Jacob] Murphy had probably his best game for the club. The whole team stepped up and we looked so dangerous when attacking. The goals are flowing at just the right time of the season.

Liam: Eddie Howe is more a manager of the year candidate this season than last. In contention for top five, with a threadbare squad and the most lost minutes due to injury and missing players in a season is incredible. If we get above media darling Ange's [Postecoglou] Spurs, he's pulled off one of the greatest seasons ever.

Geoff: This is what we’ve been waiting for - a rampant Newcastle team. In a mood like this they are difficult to contain but what a joy to watch. When all of our players are back, they will dominate no matter the opposition. Well done the Toon.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 presenter Alistair Bruce-Ball says Burnley "look doomed" after a demoralising 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle left Vincent Kompany's side five points from safety with two games to play.

The Clarets needed to beat the Magpies to maintain a realistic chance of survival but the limp performance coupled with Nottingham Forest's win at Sheffield United put them on the brink of an immediate return to the Championship.

"It looks like that could be that for Burnley," Bruce-Ball told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Beating the drop now feels a real long shot. They are going to have to win their last two games to have any chance - the last one of course against Nottingham Forest if it goes that far.

"First and foremost before they go to Tottenham next week they are going to have to recover after being blown away simply by Newcastle, who were in pretty irresistible form.

"Burnley started pretty well and thought they should have had an early penalty, but once Callum Wilson gave Newcastle the lead they never looked back.

"By half-time Burnley fans were already headed for the exit. Not a good day. They look doomed."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Friday and Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Burnley v Newcastle United

• Manchester City v Wolves

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany to BBC Match of the Day: "We came up against a better side, the team gave it everything. A very good start to the game. I don't think we lacked opportunities to be dangerous ourselves, we just couldn't match Newcastle in most areas of the pitch.

"They have lot of good players. We can't let ourselves get beaten down, it is what it is. We have to pick ourselves up and go again."

On how he will pick up the players: "It won't be difficult. We go again. Anyone that is looking at the season at the end of everything or the start of everything is a fool in this game. You have to continue, to keep going. You don't always get the reward for the hard work you put in but eventually you have to believe you will get the reward."

On their final match against Nottingham Forest: "I'm not going to focus on that. The fact of the matter is we play the last game against Forest. We can't control what they do, we can't control what Luton does. We have one game to play in between and that one game we need something special."

On the Burnley fans: "It's special town, a special club. It's the heartbeat of this community. It's every household that has a vested interest in Burnley. They were there in the Championship as well and we just have to work hard everyday for them because they deserve it."