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Burnley missed a big chance to boost their slim Premier League survival hopes as their wasteful attack allowed Bournemouth to secure a 2-0 win and the Cherries’ first victory of 2024.
Vincent Kompany’s Clarets dominated possession and chances at Turf Moor but some clumsy defending allowed Justin Kluivert to open the scoring on 13 minutes with a clinical finish.
The Clarets had over 75 per cent possession and 20 shots on the Bournemouth goal – but Cherries goalkeeper Neto denied Jacob Bruun Larsen by clawing out his free-kick from underneath the bar, while Vitinho also headed over a good first-half chance.
Burnley thought they found an equaliser when Josh Cullen tapped home from close range but Bruun Larsen was penalised for a push on Bournemouth’s Adam Smith in the build-up. But Antoine Semenyo sealed the result with a stunning run and finish late on.
The result means Burnley have lost 11 out of their 14 home games this season and remain 11 points away from safety with just 11 games remaining.
While the Clarets moved a step further towards Championship football next season, Bournemouth can sit on an 11-point gap above the bottom three – all but sealing their survival.
How the Cherries put the Clarets in further trouble
In a must-win game for them, Burnley started the brighter and their sharp right-hand side nearly saw an opener as Lorenz Assignon cut the ball back to Wilson Odobert, who could only fire straight at Neto.
But as often has been the case for Burnley, their defence let them down. They were given a warning as Charlie Taylor had to clear from under his bar under pressure from Semenyo – but the opener came on 13 minutes.
A harmless Lewis Cook long ball bounced in the Burnley box and Kluivert pounced on it, turned past Dara O’Shea and smashed past James Trafford.
Burnley were not disheartened by the early setback and created 13 shots in the first half. Maxime Esteve miskicked a close-range effort from a corner, while Vitinho and Wilson Odobert fired harmlessly wide. And the Clarets’ best chances came towards the end of the half.
Bruun Larsen’s direct free-kick brought a brilliant stop from Neto, which the Goal Decision System revealed was inches away from crossing the line. In first-half stoppage time, Vitinho headed over Charlie Taylor’s cross when David Datro Fofana was in a better position behind him.
Despite Burnley having the better of the first half, Bournemouth started the second period much better and should have made it two on two occasions.
First, Kluivert was released on the break and fed top scorer Dominic Solanke in the box. The angle was tight but Trafford did well to parry the effort. Then Kluivert was at it again as his crossfield ball was touched on by Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier fired into the side netting from close range.
Cullen then curled straight at Neto and the same Burnley midfielder thought he had an equaliser when he tapped home from close range – but Bruun Larsen, who headed the ball onto him, was penalised for a foul on Smith.
That was Burnley’s last big chance for an equaliser as Bournemouth cruised to a result. Semenyo put two big chances wide of goal when played through by Solanke – he would not be denied a result-sealing effort on 88 minutes.
The excellent Cook played the winger in down the right and he kept his composure to fire into the net – something Burnley had failed at dismally all afternoon.
What’s next?
Burnley travel to West Ham next Sunday (kick-off 2pm) before hosting Brentford in a big relegation match on March 16 (kick-off 3pm) before the international break.
Bournemouth face the other two newly-promoted sides over the next 10 days as they host Sheffield United next Saturday (kick-off 3pm), before facing Luton on March 13 (kick-off 7.30pm).
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