As it happened - Burnley boost survival hopes with 2-0 win against Southampton

WHAT A WAY TO OPEN THE SCORING 🤯

Connor Roberts curls home an absolute beauty to fire Burnley ahead 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OjYjbvWq2v — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2022

𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙃𝙐𝙂𝙀 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 🙌

A nervy VAR check rules out a possible offside and breathes life into Burnley's mission for #PL survival 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gGJOVcgdMs

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2022

Thanks for joining me!

Be sure to check VAVEL for post-match content and for coverage of the remainder of this season, it is going to be exciting at both ends of the table.

My name is Luke Williamson, I hope you have enjoyed tonight's commentary!

Have a goodnight!

FULL TIME. That's just about all from me tonight, thank you for joining me. 

A very entertaining game, plenty of chances and a great atmosphere too. 

Burnley deserved it in the end. Despite Romeu's first half headers, they had the better of the chances and should have been out of sigh at half-time. 

Saints didn't really show up, it was hardly their best performance of the season but, as I said yesterday, they are safe and can't feasibly get in to Europe so their season is all but done. 

Connor Roberts stood out for sure, but Dwight McNeil looked like his old self. 

He hasn't had a great season, maybe the rumours of big money moves got in his head, but he looked to be enjoying himself out there tonight.

The big question is, who is in charge of Burnley at home to Wolves on Sunday? Mike Jackson and his interim team have done a good job at settling the ship.

Southampton travel to Brighton next. 

FULL TIME. Turf Moor erupts at full time as Burnley claim a much needed three points. 

After starting on the back foot, Connor Roberts gave Burnley the lead with a fine left-footed strike from outside the area. 

The Clarets could have doubled and trebled their lead shortly after with Forster denying Weghorst before the Dutch striker then hit the post. 

The hosts did get their second before half-time, Nathan Collins - who looks a class act and the future of that back-line - rose highest to head home from a corner. 

The second half was tense, with Southampton more of the good opportunities - Che Adams seeing his powerful volley tipped over the bar by Nick Pope, before the England shotstopper pushed away a James Ward-Prowse free-kick. 

The result takes Burnley to within a point of Everton and five of Leeds United, albeit playing a game more than The Toffees. 

Southampton miss the opportunity to go into the top half, and stay 13th. 

FULL TIME. That is that and a massive win for Burnley!

90+3. My man of the match tonight has got to be Dwight McNeil. 

Fantastic to see him back at his best, whether it is the start of a run of form will be seen soon enough, but nonetheless a fantastic performance.

Special mention to Connor Roberts, who is a close second. 

90+1. Into five added minutes now. 

89. The game is coming to a slow end now. 

Burnley fans applaud as "There's only one Sean Dyche" rings around the Turf. 

86. Handball appeals from The Clarets. 

Tarkowski's volley hits the arm of Ward-Prowse, but VAR have a look and say nothing doing. 

McNeil then curls an effort wide, his best game in a long time. He is then replaced by Matt Lowton. 

84. Six minutes to go and the olés come out from the Clarets faithful. 

Lennon wins Burnley a corner. 

83. Final change for Southampton.

Tino Livramento is on for Walker-Peters. 

80. A lovely set piece move by Burnley.

Roberts slides it down the line for Rodriguez, the striker fizzes it across the six yard box behind both Vydra and Collins. 

80. Perraud is the latest name into the book.

He brings McNeil down, after the winger got by him on the halfway line. 

76. Brownhill gets the delivery horribly, horribly wrong. 

Burnley are going to make a change here: Weghorst is off and Matej Vydra comes on in his place. 

75. 15 minutes or so left to play and the atmosphere is tense at Turf Moor. 

Burnley have been breached a couple of times recently but Pope has only had one save to make. 

Free kick for The Clarets in a crossing position for a foul by Perraud on Roberts. 

72. Taylor makes a definite goal-saving block from Adams.

Collins goes down with a head injury and the Southampton players don't like that and a skirmish occurs. 

Bednarek and Tarkowski receive yellow cards.

71. Pope gets two strong hands on it, behind for another corner. 

70. Southampton get out of trouble and find themselves high up the pitch. 

Rodriguez fouls Redmond and it is in definite James Ward-Prowse territory. 

69. Rodriguez flicks it on, but Tarkowski can not get on the end of it. 

69. At the other end, Lennon wins a corner with his first action since coming on.

67. What a reaction save from Pope!

The cross is floated in for Adams, and the Scotland striker hits a volley straight at Pope who gets a strong palm to send it over the bar. 

Burnley deal with the set piece. 

65. After a VAR check, the goal is ruled out for offside against Cork. It was pretty conclusive. 

Substitutions here: Burnley first and Cornet seems to hobble off, Aaron Lennon in his place. 

Southampton make a double switch: Che Adams and Nathan Redmond replace Armstrong and Elyounoussi.

63. There might be a Burnley third here.

McNeil stands it up for Tarkowski who heads it back across for Rodriguez, colliding with Forster. 

It hits the striker and then bounces into the back of the net off of Jack Cork. 

62. Better from Cornet.

He turns and runs towards the visiting penalty area and hits his cross against Lyanco for a corner. 

It is headed behind for a second set piece by Valery.

60. An hour played and Southampton haven't really looked like getting back into the game.

The hosts look comfortable so far.

59. Another Southampton corner as Pope tips over a deflected cross from the left. 

Burnley only half clear but the referee stops play as Roberts goes down after a collision with Romeu. 

Nothing malicious, I don't think. 

57. Now Southampton have a corner.

Great work from Romeu to dispossess Taylor before Walker-Peters crosses it against Brownhill.

Pope claims to kick and sets Cornet on his way, but he loses out in the end to Perraud. 

54. Southampton cleared. It wasn't the best delivery from Cornet. 

Hasn't been his best game full-stop, to be fair. 

53. Weghorst thinks he should have a free-kick. Nothing given.

But Burnley do now have a corner, what can they do this time?

46. Tarkowski heads over from the set piece. 

46. The Clarets win a corner within 17 seconds. 

46. Back underway at Turf Moor.

Can Southampton get back into it?

Half Time. And here is the second goal from Nathan Collins.

𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙃𝙐𝙂𝙀 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 🙌

A nervy VAR check rules out a possible offside and breathes life into Burnley's mission for #PL survival 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gGJOVcgdMs

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2022

Here is Roberts curling opener...

WHAT A WAY TO OPEN THE SCORING 🤯

Connor Roberts curls home an absolute beauty to fire Burnley ahead 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OjYjbvWq2v

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2022

HALF TIME. It was a frenetic first half at Turf Moor. 

Connor Roberts opened the scoring for Burnley, moments after blocking a shot at the other end. 

From then on, The Clarets had many opportunities, Wout Weghorst seeing a header hit the post before Nathan Collins finding the net for the second goal before half time. 

Saints have come close twice, both times through Oriol Romeu, who put two free headers past either side of the post. 

See you for the second half!

HALF TIME. Burnley lead at the break. 

45+2. We have two minutes of added time to play, but we will play probably two more after that VAR check. 

That was Collins' second goal in as many home games for the Clarets. 

45. There was an offside check on Cork, debating whether he is disrupting Forster in an offside position. 

He wasn't. Goal given. Burnley have a deserved two goal lead. 

44. Centre back Nathan Collins gets his second Burnley goal!

Cornet had won a corner which Brownhill took.

The Ireland defender got up highest to head past Forster into the bottom corner. 

BURNLEY FINALLY GET THEIR SECOND!

40. Play stops so players observing Ramadan can get some nutrients on board and break their fast. 

38. The first yellow card of the game goes to Jack Cork.

He slides in on Armstrong and mis-times it and gets his just punishment. 

36. Another fine save by Forster. 

Brownhill into Roberts, lays it off for rejuvenated McNeil who sees a low drive put behind by the Saints 'keeper. 

Clarets are still on top as we head towards the half time interval. 

35. Brownhill urged to shoot by the crowd.

Brownhill clips the ball aimlessly behind for a goal kick. 

31. Broja wins his side a corner, after his shot deflects behind off of Roberts. 

The first corner is palmed behind by Pope but the second almost spells danger for Burnley.

Romeu again has a free header but, like before, can't get his effort on target, putting it past the other post this time. 

Plenty of good chances for either team in this game so far. 

28. Burnley fans inside Turf Moor are loving this performance so far.

McNeil looks to set Cornet away but Forster is off his line to clear, as Pope is seconds later to put the ball out for a Saints throw.

25. Burnley have a corner. 

And somehow Burnley haven't scored.

First, Forster gets down well to deny the first header from Rodriguez, the second header by Weghorst from three or four yards out - unchallenged - smacks the far post and Southampton eventually get it clear.

You do feel Burnley will regret these misses. 

23. As things stand at the quarter way mark of this game, Burnley sit just one point behind Everton albeit having played a game more. 

The last few weeks of this season are going to be very interesting

21. McNeil is looking up for this one tonight.

He forces Perraud into conceding a corner, which is eventually claimed by Forster.

17. What a spell by Burnley, but what a save by Forster.

Weghorst's header down is sliced into Roberts path, who deflects the ball to Rodriguez on his 200th Clarets league appearance, but his volley is well saved by the Saints 'keeper.

A big moment in the game!

14. Another great chance by Burnley and for Weghorst!

McNeil slides the Dutchman in who takes an extra touch and Forster spreads himself to get down well to save the shot.

Probably should have taken the shot sooner. 

12. What a strike by Connor Roberts!

A spell of good pressure from Burnley sees McNeil have a shot blocked. 

It makes its way out to Brownhill on the right who plays in the full back, cutting on to his so-called weaker left foot and curls a beauty past Forster!

CONNOR ROBERTS GIVES BURNLEY THE LEAD

8. Southampton have taken control now the game has calmed down. 

Taylor gives the ball straight to Broja, it eventually drops for Armstrong, whose shot is blocked by Roberts before Elyounoussi takes a wild swing at it. 

6. The free kick is eventually cleared, but Southampton come again.

Walker-Peters is found excellently by Elyounoussi who cuts in and sees a shot deflected.

Romeu has a great chance with a free header, and should score but he puts it wide.

Let off for Burnley

5. Cagey opening 5 minutes to start us off here. 

Burnley have had their foot on the ball keeping possession, but Southampton have a good chance from a wide free kick here.

1. Armstrong gets us underway!

The teams are making their way out onto Turf Moor!

🤝 Skip ❤️ #UTC pic.twitter.com/zvUEzXE9nX — Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 21, 2022

Let's just run back over the teams...

Burnley: 

Pope; Roberts, Collins, Tarkowski, Taylor; McNeil, Cork, Brownhill, Cornet; Rodriguez, Weghorst

Southampton:

Forster; Lyanco, Bednarek, Valery; Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Perraud; Armstrong, Broja, Elyounoussi

❤️ A message from Ashley Westwood 💪 #UTC pic.twitter.com/nF7Re9d1lL — Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 21, 2022

The rumour mill has been stirring since Sean Dyche left Burnley last week.

Alan Pace has made an attempt at squashing some of the rumours with his programme notes tonight.

"I wanted to take this column to firstly explain just how difficult a decision this was, but as one that fell on me to make I wanted to expand on it directly to you. Firstly, Sean and his coaching staff are all fantastic men and true professionals, respected by myself and throughout the Club and community and I honestly wish them all the very best for the future.

"However, there can be no denying that it has been a difficult season on the pitch and results and performances have been disappointing. Therefore, while the decision to part ways was not one that was taken lightly at all; with four league wins this season, we felt that a change was necessary to offer us the best chance to try and secure our Premier League survival."

Seems that the story is that the club felt now was the time for a change, but it is a difficult one to believe

30 minutes until the game gets underway.

Seeing the teams, a draw still seems like the most logical result.

The Clarets are also celebrating a landmark of their own, Jay Rodriguez is set to make his 200th Premier League appearance.

Can he add to his two goals in the division this season tonight?

It's 300 up for Saints skipper James Ward-Prowse, hitting the triple century mark in the Premier League.

He has been an immense figure in midfield, and has done himself no harm in his pursuit of a place on the England plane to the World Cup this year.

Burnley have made two changes to the team which drew at West Ham United at the weekend. 

Ashley Westwood is obviously forced out after his serious ankle injury, and Matt Lowton drops to the bench.

In comes Josh Brownhill and Connor Roberts. 

Southampton have named the same side who beat Arsenal, meaning sticking with the 3-4-3 formation.

📋 Our starting XI to face @SouthamptonFC 🔥 𝗟𝗘𝗧'𝗦 𝗚𝗢! #BURSOU | @SpreadexSport | #UTC pic.twitter.com/IfoQwYj8os — Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 21, 2022

Lining up in Lancashire 😇

Here's the #SaintsFC team taking on #BurnleyFC tonight: pic.twitter.com/PQDy2ZV3Ch

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 21, 2022

Turf Moor glistens in the Lancashire evening sun! 

☀ The sun shines down on Turf Moor this evening 😎

Which part of the globe are you following #BURSOU from? 🌏#UTC pic.twitter.com/8QqGIOdaGi

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 21, 2022

Hello and welcome to matchday!

My name is Luke Williamson and I will be taking you through tonight's game. 

Team news in 5 minutes!

So then, I will see you right here tomorrow from around 6:30pm BST as I bring you the team news and the pre-match build up. 

Then, from 7:45pm BST I will take you from first whistle to last, with updates and analysis from the game. 

Hopefully I will see you then!

It isn't going to be a overly pretty game. 

Burnley will be fighting with all they've got, Southampton won't move aside just because their season is effectively over. 

I think Turf Moor will have a weird atmosphere without Dyche being there after his odd and as-yet unexplained sacking last week, which might work against the hosts. 

A draw isn't a result either team will want as both will believe they can get three points, but I can see the spoils being shared.

Luke Williamson's prediction: 1-1 (Weghorst; Broja) 

Here is the kick-off time for audiences around the world.

Burnley - 19:45 

Paris - 20:45

Istanbul - 21:45

Dubai - 22:45

New Delhi - 00:45 (Friday)

Tokyo 03:45 (Friday)

Sydney 04:45 (Friday)

New York City 14:45

The game is being shown in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League. 

The referee for the game is Stuart Attwell, and his assistants are Stuart Burt and Wade Smith with Peter Bankes as fourth official.

The VAR is John Brooks, and he is assisted by Dan Cook.

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Southampton 2-2 Burnley:

A Maxwel Cornet double earned Burnley a point on the south coast. 

Cornet had given the visitors the lead in the 13th minute against the run of play, converting unmarked at the back post.

Southampton responded and equalised just before half time through Tino Livramento's header, himself unmarked in the box.

Armand Broja gave the Saints the lead after the interval, capitalising on a Clarets mistake to give his side a deserved lead. 

It didn't last for long, as Ivorian Cornet's bouncing volley beating McCarthy before the hour mark.

And that is how it finished, Burnley still searching for their first win in 18th, Southampton dropping to 16th. 

Give my report (I know, shameless self-promotion alert) a read on the link above!

James Ward Prowse: 

What a season the Southampton stalwart is having. 

He leads his team in goal involvements with 11, adding four assists to seven goals scored. Nine of these have come away from home. 

He has also scored SIX times directly from a set piece away from home this season, something only bettered by a certain Robert Lewandowski. 

It will be his 300th Saints Premier League appearance should he play, which he is pretty nailed on to do. 

He is integral to the spine of this team which has shown signs of growth and progression this season. 

If they are to keep moving in the right direction, Ward-Prowse has to be the focal point of that.

Maxwel Cornet:

The Ivory Coast international is looking to recover from his penalty miss that turned out to cost his side three points on Sunday with another good home performance here. 

The winger has produced multiple man-of-the-match displays since his arrival in the summer, including in the last home victory against relegation rivals Everton, when he scored the winner in the final few minutes.

The Clarets fans love Cornet, he quickly became a favourite at the club with his passion and his flair, and is the team's top scorer in the league this season with seven. 

He is likely to play off the left, but it would be interesting to see him and McNeil switch it up now and then, and have Cornet cutting inside onto his deadly left foot. 

Burnley:

Pope; Lowton, Collins, Tarkowski, Taylor; McNeil, Cork, Brownhill, Cornet; Rodriguez, Weghorst. 

Southampton:

Forster; Livramento, Salisu, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Scott Armstrong; Adams, Broja. 

Tino Livramento is looking to regain his place in the starting 11 after missing out at the weekend, as is Mohammed Salisu.

Only goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is confirmed as out of the game, as he recovers from a hamstring issue. 

Che Adams will also be hoping for a recall after being an unused sub against The Gunners, alongside his strike partner Armando Broja.

As mentioned, Burnley remain their skipper Ben Mee - in a playing capacity anyway - as he takes his place on the bench as interim coach. 

Unfortunately, Ashley Westwood suffered a season-ending injury at the London Stadium on Sunday so he won't be involved. Hopefully he can make a full recovery, though. 

Also out for the hosts are Erik Pieters and Johann Berg Gudmundsson, meaning Dwight McNeil is likely to start once again. 

Wout Weghorst found the net again with his opener on Sunday, and will be hoping to score his first Turf Moor goal.

Southampton can leap into the top half of the Premier League with victory, as Ralph Hassenhuttl and his side look to close out the season strongly. 

After victory over Arsenal at the weekend, Saints moved 14 points clear of their upcoming opponents. 

Ninth is the highest they can realistically aim for, and a win up north under the lights will certainly set them on their way to reaching that. 

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Michael Jackson took charge of Sunday's Thriller (sorry that was Bad) against West Ham United, and the Clarets interim is likely to be in charge again. 

Ben Mee assisted him on Sunday and will be in the dugout again as he is still recovering from injury.

The hope of survival is still there and Burnley can close the gap on Everton with a win (that's if Everton haven't turned things around against Leicester which, at the time of writing, they were drawing 1-1 with the Foxes).

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The game at Turf Moor will kick-off at 7:45pm. 

Burnley have ran a promotion where season ticket holders can bring a friend for £10, meaning a large crowd is expected in Lancashire.

Hello and welcome to VAVEL's live stream text commentary of Burnley vs Southampton!

My name is Luke Williamson - long time no see! - and I will be taking you through the game!

Thanks for joining me!