Burnley

Natalie Bromley, No Nay Never podcast, external

The benefit of a January transfer window, in my eyes anyway, is twofold. First, you need cover for long-term injuries. Secondly, you make improvements.

We didn’t get the left-back we really needed, but when Burnley did bring in a striker, a centre-back and a right-back, we could genuinely say we’d improved the squad depth.

And how that become obvious on Saturday. Until all three new signings were on the pitch together, the Clarets looked a side devoid of confidence and fight, and with no idea what to do.

I hate to be critical, but sometimes you can’t avoid the painful truth. The first-half display against Fulham was one of the most appalling we’ve seen in a long time.

I never boo my team, but I understood the frustration and the chorus that resonated around Turf Moor at half-time. Fans couldn’t work out why the team had been set up as it had or what the plan was. And it seems the players couldn't either, given the serious lack of any leadership.

We got something out of the game in the end, albeit some fans noted it merely painted over some cracks and enabled Vincent Kompany to avoid some hard questions. I don’t believe that’s true - he’s got a winning mentality and knows what’s going wrong - but communication could be improved between manager and supporters.

A point is probably unhelpful in the grand scheme of this season, but fans want to see their team go down with a fight. And we just about saw that for a few glorious minutes.

Ultimately, though, the end of this season probably can’t come quickly enough.

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Tom Gayle, BBC Final Score at Turf Moor

For 60 minutes Fulham looked more than good value for their first win away at Burnley since 1951. However, the introduction of David Datro Fofana saw a huge momentum shift in the game.

Lyle Foster and Zeki Amdouni seem most comfortable in the number 10 role, getting on the ball inside the pocket and driving at defences. Fofana is more of an old school striker. For both of his goals on Saturday the Ivorian's preference appeared to simply be getting himself into the box, and becoming a target for his team-mates to find.

Not only was the 2-2 draw the first time this season the Clarets have picked up a point from a losing position, it was also the first time, for both goals, where the assist has come from a cross. Vincent Kompany has been very dogmatic with his approach to Burnley's playing style. There is a clear emphasis on possession, and trying to control games with their passing and patient build-up.

Now however, he has a striker well suited to a more direct approach. It may be too little too late, but if they want to increase any hope of remaining in the division, they need to place more emphasis on 'putting it in the mixer'.

David Datro Fofana's late double to secure a 2-2 home draw with Fulham on Saturday may have avoided the situation looking even bleaker, but the numbers still reveal what an uphill battle Burnley face to survive in the Premier League this season.

After 23 games, the Clarets have just 13 points - the lowest total a team has ever had at this stage and survived relegation in the Premier League.

This was achieved by Bryan Robson’s West Brom side 19 years ago in 2004-05 - their 'great escape' season.

The 34 points West Brom eventually stayed up with is also the lowest ever tally by a surviving side, so even replicating that total is unlikely to be enough for Vincent Kompany's team.

With their next two games away to Liverpool and at home to Arsenal, the landscape heading into March could be one of further despair.

Potential points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest offer the possibility of a lifeline, but wins are needed soon to avoid being cut completely adrift regardless.

Clarets fans, let us know what needs to change to give you a chance of survival

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Burnley and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments

Burnley fans

Peter: A very poor performance. Gave the ball away too many times. Team selection was puzzling - why wasn't Fofana on from the start? We are clearly going down but my worry is some of the players may not be good enough for the Championship. Lack of pace at the back is a worry.

Francis: Very lucky. Second best in every department. We have no leaders or strong characters. Good debuts for three new players. Vitinho was a second-choice full back in Championship and out of his depth. Kompany needs to keep a settled side. We are as good as relegated now but go down fighting with a view on next season. Kompany was lucky today given his poor choices.

Ian: This may be the turning point of the season for Burnley. The three new loan players made an immediate impact. If we can finally work out how to defend corners then with Foster and Fofana up front we can pick up at least 20 more points which might just prove to be enough.

Fulham fans

Graham: Fulham were OK until the subs came on. They need to play for 98 minutes and not stop playing at 90 minutes. Goalkeeper was totally at fault for Burnley’s first goal, he is too eager to come off his line. Had he stayed he would have an easy save.

David: Fulham could've won the game 10 times over. The fact that they allowed Burnley a draw was almost criminal, especially with two poor goals conceded. It was a combination of failing to finish Burnley off while so dominant and poor tactics/substitutions from Silva that allowed Burnley a foothold which they grabbed.

Giles: Boys look out of legs. Blame the owners for not buying in new players. Broja not good enough, what about Brereton Diaz? Did he really prefer Sheffield United over us? To let a two-goal lead slide against Burnley is criminal.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League matches.

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

Listen back to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle United v Luton Town

• Sheffield United v Aston Villa

• Fulham have won just one of their past seven Premier League games (D2 L4), while they’re winless on the road in 11 games since beating Everton 1-0 in August.

• Burnley (10) are just the second Premier League side this season to concede at least 10 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) after Nottingham Forest (12).

• This is the first time Fulham have failed to win a Premier League game when leading by at least two goals since September 2018 against Brighton (2-2), while this is the first time Burnley have avoided defeat when trailing by at least two goals since drawing 2-2 with Manchester City in December 2014, losing their previous 76 such games before today.

• David Datro Fofana has been involved in three goals in his two Premier League appearances for Burnley (2 goals, 1 assist), while he’s just the fourth player to score a brace as a substitute for them after David Nugent (September 2009), Chris Wood (March 2018) and Ashley Barnes (September 2018).

• João Palhinha has scored as many Premier League goals this season for Fulham (3) as he did last season (3), while four of his six goals have come from corners.

Emma Smith, BBC Sport

While most teams had a quiet January, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany was busy dipping into the loan market.

His winter shopping could prove crucial in giving the Clarets a fighting chance of producing one of the Premier League's greatest escapes.

David Datro Fofana has hit the ground running following his loan from Chelsea, an assist on debut followed by a brace here.

His first goal was assisted by full back Lorenz Assignon, who was lively in both defence and attack following his deadline day arrival from Rennes.

At half-time, Montpellier loanee Mazime Esteve was introdcued at centre-back and provided much greater assuredness to the Burnley back line.

There is a huge amount of work still needed for Burnley to survive this season - but they now have a lot more useful tools to work with.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The two goals we conceded, that's not something we can be happy about. The second half we had a go, it was exciting, and a great contribution from the new boys.

"We conceded from a set piece and our own throw-in. But the biggest thing for us is to keep together."

On the performances of their new signings: "It was all round positive from the players we recruited. [Lorenz] Assignon against Willian played really well, and [David] Fofana with his intensity gave us something different."

On their fight against relegation: "The fans are brilliant, they have stuck behind us. There is fight in this team, we are going to carry on. 15 games left, we'll go full steam ahead."

David Datro Fofana scored twice on his home debut as Burnley came from 2-0 down to draw with Fulham at Turf Moor.

The Clarets looked set for a 10th home league defeat of the season as two first-half goals put Fulham in complete control.

Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz scored in quick succession before the break, but Chelsea loanee Datro Fofana changed the game after being introduced as a second-half substitute.

The draw earned Burnley only a fifth home league point of the season and they remain in the relegation zone, seven points from safety, while Fulham have moved up to 12th.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Burnley fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Fulham fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are five games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle v Luton

• Sheff Utd v Aston Villa

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is taking on Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh for this weekend's Premier League predictions.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

How many times can we say a game is a must-win for Burnley? This feels like another one, with the Clarets seven points adrift of safety.

Fulham are not out of the woods yet though. They are still huffing and puffing but not exactly free-scoring at the moment either, and we will have to wait and see if signing Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea changes that.

Burnley's home form is terrible but Fulham have been awful on the road, so a draw seems like the obvious result to go for.

Ed's prediction: I watched Fulham against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and really enjoyed the way they played. They looked really good playing out from the back - but they have just got nothing up front.

You could say the same for Burnley, really, so I am going for a turgid goalless draw.

0-0

Read the full predictions

• Burnley are unbeaten in their past 28 home league games against Fulham (W22 D6) since a 2-0 loss in April 1951. It is their longest run without defeat against an opponent at Turf Moor in their league history.

• Fulham have lost six of their past eight Premier League away games against promoted sides, with their only win in this run coming at Nottingham Forest last season (3-2).

• Burnley have won fewer home points than any other side in the Premier League this season (four), losing nine of their 11 games at Turf Moor so far (W1 D1). Only in 2018-19 (10) have they ever lost 10 or more home games in a single league campaign.

• Fulham are winless in 10 Premier League away games, losing the past five in a row and failing to score in the past three. They last lost more consecutive top-flight away games between January and April 2019 (seven).

• Since a run in which they netted at least three goals in four consecutive Premier League matches in November and December, scoring 16 times, Fulham have failed to score in five of their past six league games, and are the lowest scorers in the league since the date of the first game in that run (16 December, two goals).

• Burnley have lost 16 of their 22 Premier League games this season (W3 D3), just one fewer than they did in their relegation campaign of 2021-22.

Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha has sympathised with the players who have moved to struggling clubs during the January transfer window, on The Football News Show: "I only had one move in January and that was from Manchester City - who were winning the league - to QPR - who were fighting relegation - so it was a bit of a change, you could say.

"Getting to learn about your team-mates, when you are also fighting fires in real time, it's not the best time to integrate with a new side. Things weren't great.

"When you're winning games, it's far easier but we weren't in that position.

"It was tough and then making the adjustment and stuff with family, halfway through the season, but again it's something you have to do if you want to find football.

"I was going somewhere to try to find more football. If you're someone who is being signed because you are the pinnacle, then maybe it is different but that wasn't the experience for me."

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have confirmed defender Connor Roberts has joined Leeds United on loan for the rest of the season.

Roberts joined the Clarets in August 2021 from Swansea City and has made 88 appearances for the club over the last two-and-a-half seasons.

The Wales international will join Daniel Farke’s Championship promotion-chasers for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have signed Rennes defender Lorenz Assignon on loan until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old right-back, who progressed through Rennes’ academy after joining in 2015, has made 60 appearances for the Ligue 1 side to date.

"I’m really happy, said Assignon. "It’s been a long day and it’s been a day of hard decisions but I’m very pleased to be here.

"I had a number of clubs to choose from but I spoke to the manager and straight away knew that I wanted to be here.

"I’m ready to go. It’s the best league in the world and I’m really excited to be a part of it."

Have your say on the new signing

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley will join Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old joined the Clarets from Manchester City in July 2022, spending the second half of his first season on loan at Hibernian.

Egan-Riley will now link up with the Dutch league leaders for the rest of the current campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have confirmed the signing of France under-21 defender Maxime Esteve from Ligue 1 side Montpellier on loan until the end of the season

The 21-year-old centre-back joined the club as a child in 2011, and has played 62 times since making his first-team debut in 2021.

After joining the Clarets, Esteve said: "I feel very good, I’m really happy and ever since I first heard about the move I wanted to move here.

"I have followed the Premier League since being a young child and had only pictured myself ever being here, so I am really excited.

"The manager (Vincent Kompany) spoke really positively about the project here and I just wanted to be a part of it straight away."

Clarets fans - what do you think about your teams' January business? Have you done enough to mount a survival bid?

Let us know here