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Attendance: 20,825
Burnley logo
Premier League
May 6, 2017 at 3pm UK
 
West Brom logo

2-2

Vokes (56', 86')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Rondon (66'), Dawson (78')

Live Commentary: Burnley 2-2 West Bromwich Albion - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League clash between Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.
2

Burnley have taken another step towards Premier League safety after playing out a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion at Turf Moor.

Sam Vokes scored a brace either side of Salomon Rondon's first goal since December and Craig Dawson's deflected header to put the Clarets on 40 points.

The result sees Sean Dyche's charges climb eight points ahead of 18th-placed Swansea City, who have a game in hand, while the Baggies remain eighth on 45 points.

Here is how Sports Mole covered the action at Turf Moor.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of Saturday's Premier League clash between Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.

The Clarets are on the brink of safety, and will be hoping to get three points today that will mathematically ensure their place in the Premier League next season - the first time in their history that they would have done so.

Sean Dyche's charges are 15th in the table with 39 points from 35 games, with 18th-placed Swansea - on 32 points from 35 games - the only side that could catch them up ahead of kickoff.

Up against them are Tony Pulis's Baggies, who sit eighth in the table and cannot climb any higher, but the Welshman will be hoping to stop a poor run of form and look to ensure a top ten finish.

Despite their decent position in the table, West Brom have failed to score in five straight league matches for the first time in their history, and could lose five consecutive league games for the first time since January 2011.

Without further ado, let me bring you the team news from Turf Moor.

BURNLEY STARTING XI: Heaton, Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward, Boyd, Westwood, Hendrick, Arfield, Vokes, Barnes

WEST BROM STARTING XI: Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Evans, M Wilson, Field, Livermore, McClean, Fletcher, Brunt, Rondon

BURNLEY SUBS: Flanagan, Defour, Gray, Brady, Gudmundsson, Darikwa, Pope

WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Nyom, Yacob, Morrison, Chadli, Leko, K Wilson

Just one change for Burnley today as Michael Keane's ever-present appearance record this season comes to an end, the defender having picked up a knock, so Kevin Long comes in to make his first start in the league.

In addition Ben Mee remains out, while Stephen Ward and George Boyd, who had been suffering from knee injuries, start despite concerns for their fitness beforehand.

For the visitors, Marc Wilson makes his first appearance for West Brom following his January loan move from Bournemouth, with Allan Nyom dropping to the bench.

In total, Sean Dyche has made four changes from the 1-0 loss to Leicester City last time out as Sam Field, James McClean and Darren Fletcher are also drafted into the starting XI, with Claudio Yacob, James Morrison and Nacer Chadli among the substitutes.

Here are Clarets boss Sean Dyche's thoughts ahead of the game: "(West Brom) have shown over many years they're developing; they're a bigger version of Burnley. They had a head start in terms of their future planning. There was a time at the beginning of their journey where they put a lot of money in to get where they've got to. We're in the mix. Every club will have their own way of looking at how their business is done."

Tony Pulis, meanwhile, had some very kind words to say about his counterpart: "He's got promoted straight away with a club that had been relegated the year before. And they could end up in the top half of the Premier League with a small budget. He's done fantastic. I won't tell you who I put down as my winner but Sean was in my top three. There are some very good British managers in the Premier League. I think people overlook them because there are new managers, fresh managers coming in."

In terms of recent form, neither side has been particularly impressive over their last 10 league games, with just four wins between them.

That said, West Brom claimed that impressive 3-1 win over Arsenal in March and then held Manchester United to a goalless draw, but since then their form has tailed off, with four consecutive defeats.

As for Burnley, they beat Stoke City 1-0 in early April and boast a win in their last league game, a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

HEAD TO HEAD: Burnley have just two wins in 16 league games against West Brom, and have yet to beat them in three attempts in the Premier League.

West Brom average 3.3 goals per game against Burnley in the Premier League - their best such record against any side in the competition.

The Baggies' highest score in a Premier League game is by four goals - a feat they have managed twice in the last three fixtures versus the Clarets.

PREDICTION: With just 10 minutes until kickoff at Turf Moor, it's time for me to have a go at predicting the score - I think that Burnley will finally go over the line today and seal survival against the Baggies - out of form and with nothing really to play for - with a narrow win, let's call it 1-0.



Both sets of players have emerged from the tunnel and head out onto the Turf Moor pitch - not long to go now until kickoff!

KICKOFF: Mike Jones is the referee today, and he gets the action underway, West Brom's Rondon kicking the game off.

A nervy moment as West Brom debutant Wilson sends his clearance straight at Boyd who is able to stride into the area, but he's dispossessed and the visitors clear their lines.

CHANCE! Barnes plays a one-two with Boyd, meets the return pass on the edge of the penalty area and fires towards the bottom-right corner of goal, but Foster saves with ease.

West Brom win a free kick from a long way out and Brunt is the player to swing the ball in, but it fails to beat the first man.

Aside from Barnes's chance four minutes in, there's been little to write home about in the opening stages, but both sets of fans continue to make their voices heard loud and proud.

West Brom managed to withstand the early pressure from the hosts and are starting to enjoy a spell of possession of their own, but no real chances by either side just yet.

Rondon latches onto a long ball and has a pop towards goal from a narrow angle, but it comes off Long for a corner, which Brunt plays short, but the subsequent cross goes out for a goal kick.

Wilson sends a brilliant ball from deep towards Livermore, but Tarkowski does well to backtrack and glance it out for a corner. Brunt takes and it ends up at the feet of Livermore - he has a go from the edge of the box but his low effort gets charged down.

The ref warns Dawson and Ward to calm down after a bit of a tussle which saw the former leap for a header and knock Ward off his feet, and the latter was not overly happy about that.

Fletcher sends a crossfield ball towards McClean, but the winger cannot get past Lowton and Burnley win the ball back.

CHANCE! A Burnley counter sees Boyd send a lofted cross into the box for Vokes to lash towards the bottom-left corner of goal, but Foster does well to get down and keep the ball out with his feet.

Rondon, who hasn't scored since December, meets Brunt's cross with a header, but Long deflects the chance behind for a corner, which is whipped in and subsequently spilled by Heaton, but the referee stops play after Dawson clatters into the keeper.

CHANCE! Lowton whips a superb ball into the box which Fletcher heads into the air, Boyd has a go with a half-volley as the ball dips but fires over the bar!

Burnley continue to threaten as Barnes sends a free kick into the box and Boyd sees a cross deflected behind for a corner, but it comes to nothing as Long runs into the back of Evans and concedes the foul.

We have a pause as Evans requires treatment - he lands awkwardly as he went to make a clearance with no Burnley players near him, and goes down clutching his ankle.

CHANCE! The hosts work the ball to Arfield in the area and he is in a great position to have a strike, but McClean tracks back just in time to make a last-ditch sliding tackle.

Evans looks good to carry on and comes back onto the pitch, so no need for Nyom - who had warmed up in case of a substitution - to come on.

Boyd sends a through-ball into the path of Vokes, but he had strayed offside and the flag goes up.

Vokes knocks the ball down towards Barnes, it's just behind him but he improvises to send the ball upwards, though Foster is able to come out and claim.

McAuley brings Ward down on the left flank for a free kick which Arfield takes, but McClean is on hand to head the ball out for a throw-in.

Just one minute of time added on at the end of this half.

HALF TIME: BURNLEY 0-0 WEST BROM

So that's the half-time whistle blown and both sides go back into the dressing rooms on an even footing. Goalless at the break between Burnley and West Brom.

Burnley have enjoyed more possession but also lacked a cutting edge in attack, with only two moments of note in this first half - Foster's save with his feet from a Vokes shot, and McClean's crucial sliding block to deny Arfield.

HALF-TIME STATS: Burnley have had five chances, one on goal, completed 151 passes with an accuracy of 72 percent, enjoyed 59 percent possession, and won one corner.

Meanwhile West Brom have had three chances, none of which were on target, completed 90 passes at an accuracy of 61 percent, had 41 percent possession, and won three corners.

Will Burnley claim the win that guarantees them Premier League football for another season, or will the Baggies get three points to keep them in the hunt for a top-ten place? Sports Mole is on hand to bring you all the second-half action as it unfolds.

KICKOFF: Burnley get the second half underway. No substitutions have been made, with Evans looking like he's shaken off his earlier ankle knock.

CHANCE! Wilson heads behind for a Burnley corner, Arfield whips the set piece in and Tarkowski nods over from just six yards out!

Looks like Evans's ankle has got worse after coming back out, so Nyom warms up again and readies himself to come on.

CHANCES! Arfield finds Boyd on the corner of the box and his effort is well blocked by McAuley, while at the other end, Brunt's cross is headed away but Rondon attempts a first-time volley, which is deflected wide for a corner.

SUBSTITUTION: Worries looks on the Baggies bench as Evans's shift comes to an end, Nyom taking his place.

The West Brom corner comes to nothing and the hosts quickly counter, but Lowton's attempt is straight at Foster.

Wilson has a go from about 30 yards out but he shoots wide of the mark.

SUBSTITUTION: Another Baggies change here with Sam Field the player coming off, replaced by James Morrison.

GOAL! BURNLEY 1-0 WEST BROM (SAM VOKES)

Burnley are ahead and maybe, just maybe, on the way to guaranteed Premier League safety as Barnes, who looked like he was fouled by Livermore in the build up, squares the ball to Vokes, and the latter slots past Foster.

BOOKING: Barnes is the first man into the book this afternoon following his high challenge on McAuley.

The linesman actually had his flag up for a penalty in the build-up to the goal, but referee Mike Jones played the advantage, and the goal stands.

CHANCE! The ball almost falls perfectly into the path of Arfield after a mix-up by McAuley and Dawson, but Foster manages to claim with the Burnley man lurking in the box.



GOAL! BURNLEY 1-1 WEST BROM (SALOMON RONDON)

It's been a long time coming for both club and player, but finally West Brom and Rondon are off the mark again! McClean is the architect with a surge down the left wing followed by a cross into the box, which the Venezuelan striker is able to turn home. That's his first goal of 2017!

CHANCE! Burnley come close to edging in front again as a cross is met by Tarkowski on the volley, but the effort is blocked by Wilson.



BOOKING: Wilson sees yellow after a cynical foul on Lowton.

GOAL! BURNLEY 1-2 WEST BROM (CRAIG DAWSON)

West Brom have come from behind to take the lead at Turf Moor thanks to birthday boy Dawson (27 today), who connects with Brunt's corner and sends a header deflecting off Barnes and into the far corner of the net!

SUBSTITUTION: Burnley make their first substitution of the game, with Ashley Barnes the man coming off as he is replaced by Andre Gray.

SUBSTITUTIONS: A double change for Burnley as George Boyd is replaced by Robbie Brady, and Scott Arfield is off for Johann Gudmundsson.

BOOKING: McAuley is shown a yellow after grappling Gray to the floor, with a free kick awarded to Burnley which Brady takes...

GOAL! BURNLEY 2-2 WEST BROM (SAM VOKES)

Considering how uneventful the first half was, this has been pretty frantic as we have the fourth goal of the second 45! Burnley back on level terms as Brady floats the free kick into the box and Vokes has the simple task of nodding home into an empty net with Foster coming out and effectively rendering himself stranded.

SUBSTITUTION: Marc Wilson comes off, replaced by Claudio Yacob as Chris Brunt slots into the left-back position.

Four minutes of added time here at Turf Moor.

BOOKING: Nyom is cautioned after a cynical foul on Brady.

FULL TIME: BURNLEY 2-2 WEST BROM

So there we have it. Burnley are not yet mathematically safe, but they have nonetheless taken a big step towards it with a point in a 2-2 draw against West Brom. They took the lead through Sam Vokes, only to fall behind to Salomon Rondon's first goal since December and Craig Dawson's deflected header, but Vokes ended up drawing the Clarets level late on after a Ben Foster clanger.

That's all we have time for here at Turf Moor but don't go anywhere as Sports Mole will be bringing you match reports, reaction and all the latest news from today's sports action! Thank you for following and, until next time, goodbye!

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22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth144371425-1115
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