Burnley beat Spurs to boost survival bid

Burnley secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 13 months as skipper Ben Mee scored the only goal to beat Tottenham at a rain-lashed Turf Moor.

It secured a victory that takes Burnley to within two points of safety given their better goal difference – and within striking distance of three of the four sides immediately above them, given Sean Dyche’s side still have games in hand.

Burnley could even afford Jay Rodriguez to miss a glorious chance to wrap up victory seven minutes from time when he turned the ball over from three yards with the goal at his mercy.

But this was a bitterly disappointing night for top-four chasing Tottenham, who were a shadow of the side that won at leaders Manchester City on Saturday.

After a tepid opening period, skipper Harry Kane hinted at better when he headed against the bar at the start of the second half.

Dejan Kulusevski went close just before Burnley’s opener, with Nick Pope saving from Steven Bergwijn in the visitors’ desperate search for an equaliser.

terrible conditions

After the half-time whistle blew, the TV cameras panned to Spurs boss Antonio Conte.

The Italian was walking down the touchline to the dressing room. His dark blue cap from him, pulled tight onto his head, was soaked-and his dark blue coat the same. Head down, Contestrode on.

After the 45 minutes he had just watched, the polar opposite of Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win at Manchester City, he might have been tempted to march straight onto the team coach.

This game was supposed to be played in November, just before Covid-19 ripped through the Premier League fixture list, but was called off 45 minutes before kick-off after heavy snowfall.

The rematch survived inclement conditions but the rain contributed to an awful opening period in which there was just a single shot on target, from Burnley’s Brownhill, that was easily saved by Lloris.

Rodrigo Bentancur gave an early example of the perils of a sodden surface, losing his footing as he turned to chase Brownhill and doing the splits. The Uruguayan was able to continue, although he was replaced at half-time.

With the wind howling as well, at one point Dwight McNeil literally kept hold of the ball until referee Graham Scott signaled for Burnley to take a free-kick. At the point he put it down, Brownhill immediately swept the ball towards the box, where it bounced straight out for a goal-kick.

Burnley’s fighting spirit

The cameras were on Conte again at the final whistle, walking alone down the same touchline as Turf Moor celebrated a famous win.

It was only the second time in 13 meetings Burnley had beaten their opponents, who remained in eighth place and seven points off a Champions League place.

The previous occasion, exactly three years ago, triggered the collapse in form under Mauricio Pochettino that marked the start of the turmoil Tottenham are still to emerge from.

Their present problems were epitomized by Argentine defender Romero.

Since arriving in August for £42.5m from Atalanta, Romero is clearly a promising talent.

He can carry the ball forward, has pace, is not afraid to threaten the opposition box and, judging by the way he eased Wout Weghorst off the ball as he threatened to run into the box onto a McNeil pass, evidently has strength.

But Romero got caught under the ball by Mee, who then had a clear sight of goal for the winner.

In contrast, Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski lacks Romero’s finesse but has all the experience and nous needed.

He marshalled the troops when Tottenham had their best spell at the start of the second half, making blocks and interceptions and delivering the odd verbal volley when required.

It is that battling spirit that gives Burnley a chance of getting out of relegation trouble – and there are teams less well equipped above them who will be starting to get very nervous.

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