Burnley

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  1. 'VAR in the Premier League is not fit for purpose'published at 12:30 GMT 3 March

    Natalie Bromley
    Fan writer

    Burnley fan's voice banner

    The current handball rule is not fit for purpose. The current offside rule is not fit for purpose. The use of VAR in the Premier League is not fit for purpose.

    How do we, as fans, sit here each week and justify paying our season ticket prices to watch what the Premier League has become.

    How do we justify paying over £70 per month in expensive subscriptions to watch live Premier League games?

    The heart and soul of the game have been ripped out, and I just don't know what we are doing any more.

    Burnley so very nearly pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history. Except they didn't.

    Because Jaidon Anthony's shirt sleeve was deemed to be offside by the width of his shoulder. Which absolutely no fan wants. Ever.

    And it becomes even more laughable when you realise that if Anthony scores that same goal from that part of his body in an onside position, VAR will find a way to rule it out for handball.

    Because that's what VAR does; finds the most minute way to rule out goals and ruin the game. After they have taken five minutes to deliberate, of course. Does anyone actually bother claiming "clear and obvious error" anymore?

    Disallowing Ashley Barnes' last-gasp equaliser was even more galling, because an "accidental handball" happened in the build-up to the goal.

    On top of that, the referee didn't even look at the monitor. He declared his "final assessment" after "review", but he didn't actually review it. He was told by Stockley Park what to do, making an absolute mockery of the on-field referee's role.

    I can't keep doing this every week. I am falling out of love with the game. And if the Premier League is not careful, many more fans may just follow.

    In the meantime, well done Burnley on that second-half display. Play like that for the rest of the season, and we may just go into our Championship campaign with a bit of feel-good back.

    Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

  2. Everton v Burnley: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 09:02 GMT 3 March

    Chris Adams
    BBC Sport journalist

    Everton will be looking to arrest a sharp decline in their home form when Burnley make the relatively short trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday (19:30 GMT).

    Toffees can't sugar-coat home struggles

    The Toffees, who sit eighth, won five of the first nine league games at their new ground on the banks of the River Mersey, but they are winless in their past seven, their worst run at home since going nine without a victory at Goodison Park between April and October 1998.

    Back-to-back losses at home to Bournemouth and Manchester United were followed up by an impressive 3-2 win over Newcastle United in a lively game at St James' Park on Saturday. Everton haven't lost three home league matches in a row since September 2023 (a run of four).

    The conversation in the aftermath of the 1-0 defeat by Manchester United focused on Everton's bombardment of Senne Lammens' goal via 10 corner kicks, to no avail. Such tactics perhaps speak to a wider creativity problem for the Toffees, given only four teams have scored fewer goals at home this season.

    Just seven of Everton's 16 home goals (43.75%) in the Premier League have come from open play, the joint-fewest of any club (along with Crystal Palace).

    The chart shows that of the 16 Premier League goals Everton have scored at home this season, just seven have been from open play. Nine have been from set pieces (three from corners, two from free-kicks, two from throw-ins, and two from penalty kicks).

    Thierno Barry's uptick in form continued against the Magpies; his late winner made him the Blues' outright top scorer in the league with six. All of the Frenchman's goals have come in his past 14 appearances, after none in his first 14.

    So near yet so VAR for Clarets

    Burnley head coach Scott Parker accepted that "the fine margins of technology" had denied his side a stoppage-time equaliser in the remarkable 4-3 defeat by Brentford at Turf Moor on Saturday.

    The Clarets, 19th and eight points from safety, were 3-0 down at half-time, but battled back admirably and thought they had rescued a point through Ashley Barnes before VAR intervened and his effort was ruled out for handball.

    One man who did get on the scoresheet was Zian Flemming. The Dutchman is level with Jaidon Anthony as Burnley's top scorer in the league this season with seven.

    Six of those goals have come away from home; only Chris Wood, who got seven in 2020-21, has scored more on the road in a campaign for the Clarets in this competition.

    One telling problem for Burnley is how many of their goals come when they are already behind, as was the case with all three against Brentford. They have scored more league goals when losing than any other side in the division this season, with 21, showing that while their resilience is admirable, their inability to go ahead in games is costly.

    This graphic shows that as of March 2, 2026,  Burnley have scored the most goals in the Premier League this season while trailing in matches, with a total of 21.

    For all that Tuesday's hosts may have struggled at home recently, Burnley have a dreadful record when visiting the blue half of Merseyside. They have won just three of their past 21 away games against Everton, drawing three and losing 15.

    The previous two Premier League meetings between sides managed by David Moyes and Parker have ended 0-0, including a drab affair at Turf Moor in December.

    Only two managerial match-ups have had three consecutive goalless draws in the competition: George Graham vs Gerry Francis (Arsenal v QPR, 1992-1994) and Brian Little vs Alex Ferguson (Aston Villa v Manchester United, 1996-1997).

  3. Sutton's predictions: Everton v Burnleypublished at 07:37 GMT 3 March

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    You have to feel for Burnley after their brave comeback against Brentford ended in a dramatic late defeat. They have shown plenty of fight recently but that might have knocked the stuffing out of them a bit.

    Everton could really do with a positive result at home after picking up two points from their past six games at their new stadium.

    The Toffees got such a brilliant win at Newcastle on Saturday, when every time Newcastle got back in it, Everton scored again.

    If they play like that again, they will win.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-0

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  4. Parker on Edwards' fitness, VAR drama & Evertonpublished at 14:59 GMT 2 March

    Media caption,

    Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (19:30 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Parker provided an update on injury news: "We are all good fitness-wise and we will check more on Marcus Edwards heading into this game but everyone has come out of this weekend fine. Mentally we are in a good place."

    • Hannibal Mejbri was substituted in Saturday's dramatic 4-3 defeat by Brentford because "he was tired". "He was the last player we wanted to take off but I could see we needed fresh legs."

    • Mike Tresor is back in training with us and looks "more ahead" than Axel Tuanzebe: "We need more time to get the boys up to speed."

    • How are his side after Saturday?: "The weekend's game was a mix between a real poor part in the start and a second half which was a really impressive, incredible performance. We fell short on a couple of decisions. Generally it is mixed. The way the game ended we can take great positives from. The lads are in a good place."

    • Reflecting on the controversial VAR decisions in the loss to the Bees, Parker said: "I think football is better without VAR and that is just my view. It removed the raw emotions of the game and the celebrations. I think the facts are the facts, however long it takes you just have to get the facts right with VAR. It suggests to me that we are not sure and we are just passing it on to another guy who makes the decision."

    • Can the Clarets still stay up?: "There has always been belief and there always is. This is a young group and at times they are learning at certain moments and you are seeing that shine through. Whether that is enough to bring success this year and that isn't me being negative, you are seeing things being engraved in this team that is paramount to being successful."

    • On the challenge posed by the Toffees: "I like Everton, good side, brilliant coaching. They made some huge signings in the summer with some good players. They're off the back of a good result. It's a new stadium, a different experience. It is a huge challenge we look to take on head on."

    Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

    Listen to live commentary of Burnley v Everton on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds

    Got a question about Burnley? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

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  5. 'Burnley just deserve something good'published at 11:02 GMT 2 March

    Scoreboard at Burnley reads Burnley 3-4 Brentford. Decision No Goal - Handball - Barnes.Image source, Getty Images

    The Telegraph's Luke Edwards discusses Burnley's controversial loss to Brentford on BBC Radio 5 Live's latest Football Daily podcast: "It's been a really hard, testing, difficult season for them.

    "Poor Scott Parker came out really emotional a few weeks ago. I felt dreadfully sorry for him. That was a chance, that whatever happened this season, they should have won that game, a beautiful game, a beautiful win, a comeback.

    "They were denied it by borderline, overzealous interventions by VAR. They have had that ruined.

    "It must be so hard for them to take. They just deserve something good and it was ruined by what modern football has become."

    Listen to Football Daily below or on BBC Sounds here

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  6. Burnley 3-4 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:14 GMT 2 March

    Your opinions graphic

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    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Brentford.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Burnley fans

    Ian: Although we will probably be in the Championship next season, at least we came back and showed some fight. One good thing next season is we won't have to suffer VAR decisions.

    Chris: First half was awful. Second half was superb. VAR taking five minutes to decide it was an accidental handball - absolutely ridiculous! So much fight and spirit in that second half, and all everyone is talking about after the game is VAR. Roll on the Championship, where a goal is a goal and no forensic VAR to try to rule out every 'goal' that they can! UTC

    Jamie: So frustrating again from Burnley. Our home crowd really don't get behind us until it's too late - too quiet again, and we got what we deserved again. Not good enough for the top flight.

    Tad: Great team spirit and attractive football going forward - just can't defend. Still, so unlucky to lose. More importantly, hate VAR with a passion - not just because of this result but because it's killing the game.

    Brentford fans

    Harzy: Brentford deserved the three points. Putting aside the VAR issues that most clubs encounter, Brentford did score six of the seven goals in the match after all…

    Kev: Strikers did wonderfully well. The team made the mistake of believing the game was won too early and lost concentration. The Burnley disallowed goal was a deliberate and definite handball.

    Mick: Shouldn't let a three-goal advantage slip, even away from home. Fair play to Burnley for coming back. I think we got away with one.

    Joe: Absolute rollercoaster of a match. Pure class for the first 35 minutes, then pretty timid for the rest. Very fortunate to scrape the win. There’s a lot to reflect on and improve, but we take the points!

  7. 'Cruel ending means escape looks more and more unlikely'published at 16:37 GMT 1 March

    Laura Kenyon
    Final Score reporter at Turf Moor

    The screen in Turf Moor shows Ashley Barnes' goal under review by VARImage source, Getty Images

    The trains home from Burnley were buzzing with chatter. Only one subject was the topic of conversation, once again; VAR.

    A common talking point, absolutely, but on this occasion it was not divisive. Both Burnley and Brentford fans were united in the assessment of just how cruel an ending it was for Scott Parker's side.

    Take away the complex arguments surrounding the use of technology in the modern game, Burnley are in a fight for Premier League survival. The visceral emotion which followed not one but two disallowed goals was felt from both sides.

    Burnley fans gutted. Brentford fans empathised. The image of Parker with his head in his hands spoke more than any words in a post match interview. A manager whose half time team talk had almost galvanised his side to an emphatic comeback.

    We will never know if it could have been a win to inspire an escape from relegation. Instead an escape looks more and more unlikely.

  8. How VAR denied Burnley one of the greatest comebackspublished at 11:27 GMT 1 March

    Charlotte Coates
    BBC Sport journalist

    Ashley Barnes speaks to officialImage source, Getty Images

    Burnley's first heartbreak came in the 78th minute when Zian Flemming thought he had bundled them into a 4-3 lead, but the offside flag quickly followed.

    Jaidon Anthony, scorer of Burnley's second goal, was offside by the width of his shoulder, something he described as "disappointing".

    "I've seen the one where I'm offside. It's my shoulder, I think," Anthony said.

    "I'm sure if I scored with that part of my body, it wouldn't have been a goal. It's disappointing."

    Scott Parker was philosophical when talking about the "fine margins of technology".

    He said: "It was heartbreaking for us, really, because we deserved that.

    "VAR and the fine margins of technology to the inch of a sleeve, calling something offside is the game of football we live in now. So we accept that. That's the way it is."

    But could this rule soon change?

    The Canadian Premier League has put itself forward to trial a proposal by Arsene Wenger, Fifa's head of global football development since 2019, that there should be a complete gap between the attacker and the second-to-last opposition player - effectively the last defender, given the goalkeeper's usual positioning.

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    Fast forward to the 99th minute and with Burnley now trailing 4-3, Turf Moor was sent into raptures as Ashley Barnes thought he had equalised with the final kick of the game.

    Fans were left waiting for five minutes as VAR attempted to determine whether the ball struck the arm of Barnes in the build-up to his goal.

    The VAR decision of 'accidental handball' led to Alan Shearer describing the rule as "messed up in every single way" on Match of the Day.

    "I just hate the handball rule. Whether it's today's decision at Burnley or any of the other controversial ones this season, they have messed it up.

    "Now, they'll say that things are better in the Premier League than they are abroad, but that doesn't wash with me.

    "It is so messed up in every single way, there is 'deliberate', 'proximity', 'natural', 'unnatural' - there are so many different ways they have to interpret things and it isn't fit for purpose.

    "For fans to be sat in the stadium and waiting for three, four minutes, or for however long it took today at Turf Moor, it doesn't seem right and it isn't fair."

    Despite tasting defeat, Parker was restrained in his response to the decision.

    "Maybe a little bit of injustice. I've not watched it back. I saw it on the big screen and I was thinking it looks like his hand is beside his side," he said.

    "I don't want to say too much because no doubt I'm going to get quoted and I might be wrong. It looks so, so harsh."

    Former Premier League official Darren Cann said despite Barnes' handball being accidental, it was "correctly disallowed".

    "The handball law states that if a player scores in the opponents' goal immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental, then it's a handball offence," he said.

    "Barnes' handball was accidental, but was correctly disallowed under the current law.

    You can read more analysis of Burnley v Brentford here

  9. Burnley 3-4 Brentford: What Parker saidpublished at 18:52 GMT 28 February

    Media caption,

    Burnley manager Scott Parker to BBC Match of the Day: "I don't think I can remotely even contemplate speaking about the negatives really. The positives in terms of our reaction, three goals down, the fight, the spirit to get back into the game, two goals disallowed by the finest of margins were defining for us.

    "I'm probably more sad than disappointed. I'm sad for the group. It takes a certain type to be in that arena at half-time, at times your own supporters being hugely critical of you, and to come out and show the spirit and stand up to the challenge we faced today, not just from Brentford but from the whole atmosphere, I'm hugely proud of this team."

    On the atmosphere at half-time: "There was a mixed tone really, there were some harsh words. In the first half we played soft. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. We changed things tactically and it worked very well in the second half. At that moment the balance of the atmosphere from a young squad that were probably hurting at that moment from the general reaction, which of course we understand. Our reaction was superb really.

    "It was [hard to go through]. I think I've been around since VAR came in and I've had strong views about VAR. In the modern day we want perfection. Of course there's elements of it is what it is. I've not seen it back but offside is offside and if it's handball it's handball.

    "It was heartbreaking for us really because we deserved that. Second half we were incredible. To score five goals in 60 minutes it's full credit to us really.

    "VAR and the fine margins of technology to the inch of a sleeve calling something offside is the game of football we live in now. So we accept that. That's the way it is."

    Did you know?

    • Burnley lost a Premier League game having scored three or more goals for just the second time, also doing so in November 2009 with a 5-3 defeat by West Ham.

  10. No points but Burnley valiant in loss to Brentfordpublished at 18:03 GMT 28 February

    Adwaidh Rajan
    BBC Sport journalist

    Zian Flemming of Burnley celebrates scoring his team's third goal Image source, Getty Images

    Burnley were denied a memorable point after they were beaten 4-3 by Brentford in a memorable Premier League game at Turf Moor.

    After coming back from 3-0 down, Burnley went behind again through Mikkel Damsgaard's 93rd-minute goal before the Clarets had an Ashley Barnes goal ruled out for handball following a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check.

    The Clarets had gone into this fixture with recent results offering them fresh hopes of survival.

    The thrilling comeback win against Crystal Palace and the point salvaged against 10-man Chelsea last week would have injected some belief back into a dressing room that has suffered many setbacks this season.

    Though they were ultimately denied a precious point in the relegation battle by the visitors on Saturday, the fighting performance gave manager Scott Parker and his players more evidence that there is still some hope to cling on to.

    They could find themselves 11 points off safety if 17th-placed Nottingham Forest win at Brighton on Sunday, but there were signs that the Clarets can still have their say in the relegation scrap.

    Jaidon Anthony was Burnley's most threatening player, twice going close from distance in the early stages before playing the starring role in an improbable comeback.

    He struck his seventh goal of the season before Zian Flemming matched that mark, adding to his late heroics at Stamford Bridge last weekend, while Hannibal Mejbri's energy in midfield set the tone for their fightback.

    For all the disappointment of the manner of the defeat, Parker's team showed the character, courage and intensity that could give them a chance as they approach the run‑in.

  11. Burnley v Brentford: Team newspublished at 14:02 GMT 28 February

    Graphic with Burnley line-up.Image source, BBC Sport

    Burnley boss Scott Parker makes three changes following the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

    Lucas Pires, James Ward-Prowse and Jacob Bruun Larsen start as Lesley Ugochukwu and Kyle Walker drop to bench and Marcus Edwards misses out.

    Burnley XI: Dubravka, Esteve, Worrall, Laurent, Humphreys, Pires, Mejbri, Ward-Prowse, Anthony, Larsen, Flemming.

    Subs: Weiss, Walker, Hartman, Ugochukwu, Foster, Florentino, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Barnes.

    Brentford boss Keith Andrews makes five changes from the 2-0 defeat by Brighton.

    Defender Michael Kayode returns from injury to take Aaron Hickey's place while Hakon Valdimarsson replaces Caoimhín Kelleher in goal. Mikkel Damsgaard, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Kevin Schade also return to the Bees starting line-up.

    Brentford XI: Valdimarsson, Henry, Van den Berg, Schade, Jensen, Thiago, Yarmoliuk, Ouattara, Ajer, Damsgaard, Kayode.

    Subs: Balcombe, Pinnock, Henderson, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Donovan, Furo, Bentt, Shield.

    Graphic showing Brentford graphic.Image source, BBC Sport
  12. Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 11:29 GMT 28 February

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    Follow all of the action and reaction here

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  13. Sutton's predictions: Burnley v Brentfordpublished at 11:17 GMT 28 February

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    Burnley are still competitive, still scrapping and still picking up points. Their players are still playing for Scott Parker but, even so, it's still not going to be enough to keep them up.

    The Clarets' draw at Chelsea last week was a good result and they could even have won that game, too, but they didn't. That lack of wins has been their problem all season, not their performances.

    They have only won four of their 27 games so far and I think they are going to need to win five of their final 11 to stay up from here - and that's not going to happen.

    I don't think anyone saw Brentford's home defeat by Brighton coming last week - I didn't anyway - but I am still going to back them at Turf Moor.

    It's going to be another tight one but I can see Igor Thiago getting back on the scoresheet with the winner. That's as exact as predictions can get.

    Sutton's prediction: 0-1

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  14. Burnley v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:44 GMT 27 February

    Matt Jones
    BBC Sport journalist

    After a slip against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, surprise European hopefuls Brentford will be looking to get back on track when they visit relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday (15:00 GMT) in the Premier League.

    Despite the 2-0 defeat, Brentford are still in seventh spot in the table. There are seven teams within five points of Keith Andrews' side, though, meaning the congested mid-table could be mixed up significantly in the coming weeks.

    As for Burnley, they need a huge upturn in form to pull themselves out of trouble. They are fighting, though, as evidenced by their last-gasp equaliser at Chelsea last weekend.

    Clarets continue to fight

    The draw at Stamford Bridge means Burnley are eight points away from safety and, while that does look to be a mountain to climb, there is some historical precedent for a team getting themselves out of a similar hole.

    Portsmouth managed to survive in 2005–06 when they were eight points from safety with 11 games to play. West Bromwich Albion also did so in 2004–05, albeit they had two games in hand on their relegation rivals.

    The Burnley players still seem to believe, too. That much was evident at Chelsea and in the previous Premier League fixture, when they bounced back from 2-0 down at Crystal Palace to win 3-2.

    In fact, since their 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United, no team in the division has earned more points from losing positions than Scott Parker's side.

    A table showing the points gained from losing positions in the Premier League since Gameweek 21

    In their past 11 league games, Burnley have lost only four. Crucially, though, they have won just one. If they are to mirror the heroics of Portsmouth from 19 years ago, that is something they will need to remedy in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

    Open encounter could suit the Bees

    If Burnley are going to go on the front foot in search of wins and potentially leave space to be exploited on the counter-attack, that could suit Brentford and the way they play. Only Chelsea have scored more than Brentford's five goals this season from direct attacks.

    Brentford have also put together the fewest build-ups - defined by Opta as an open-play sequence that contains 10 or more passes and either ends in a shot or has at least one touch in the box - in the league this season. The Bees have just 19, while Manchester City lead the way with 138.

    Burnley are second-lowest in that category, and the numbers seem to suggest that this fixture could be one where the ball changes hands frequently.

    Burnley (14.7%) and Brentford (14.5%) are the two teams with the highest long-pass percentage in the Premier League this season. Indeed, Burnley made 79 long passes in this season's reverse fixture between these two sides - the most by any team in a game in 2025–26.

    A chart illustrating the number of long passes played by teams in the Premier League this season

    The style has undoubtedly worked for Brentford and their star forward, Igor Thiago, who has plundered 17 goals already this season in the Premier League.

    The Brazilian has hit his worst spell of the campaign heading into this fixture, though. Since scoring five goals in two games against Everton and then Sunderland earlier this year, Thiago's only strike in his last six games was a penalty in the away win at Newcastle United.

  15. Ward-Prowse feels 'respected' in fresh environmentpublished at 17:04 GMT 26 February

    Media caption,

    Watch January signing James Ward-Prowse speak to BBC Radio Lancashire about his move from West Ham, the relegation battle, and "feeling respected" at his new club.

    "You can sense there is a real freedom and a togetherness," the midfielder said.

    "That's the one thing I was surprised with coming through the door.

    "It's difficult to know how the group is going to be considering the league table but everyone is positive and pulling in the right direction.

    "It was a difficult few months [at West Ham] for reasons I'm still not sure of. I wanted to get out and focus on what I can do. Coming into an environment where you feel respected, wanted and appreciated has gone a long way."

    Got a question about Burnley? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

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  16. Parker on Andrews, resilience & 'bringing others' into relegation fightpublished at 15:29 GMT 26 February

    Media caption,

    Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford at Turf Moor (15:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • On a win at Crystal Palace and draw at Chelsea in the Clarets' last two games, Parker said: "It's done a lot really. Some real positive results. We're in a good place and the players feel that and certainly round the place as well. We need to maintain that now, we have a massive game at the weekend where we want another result."

    • On the relegation battle: "There's always challenges and there's been many this year. We're trying to take stock of every game as it comes. We've been able through a real determination and unbelievable resilience to pick up points and be hugely competitive really. There have been some bumps but the mindset and everything about us has been spot on."

    • Parker said: "The difference between us and the other two promoted teams is home form. Our home form has been nowhere near as good and we certainly haven't picked up enough points at home for many reasons and you can see that in the last few weeks in terms of the stadium and our performances."

    • On giving the fans something to cheer for: "Our home stadium needs to be exactly that. It's our responsibility to give our fans that hope and energy but for sure we're gonna need them as well. I hope the fans come with optimism and understanding of what this group has been through and how they've come out of that. I'd like to hope, well demand actually the fans come and get behind this team."

    • Parker issued a rallying cry before the weekend's match: "It's a massive game for us. Let's bring some others involved into this [relegation battle]. We've been chasing this down for some time now, and been in this position a long time, and we've always had our gloves on and been punching away. At times we've not really got a knockout and at other times we've hit the floor but we're always in this. Let's stick together and go and get a result at the weekend. Get a result and suddenly it's a different story and others get bought into this."

    • How has he viewed Bees boss Keith Andrews' start in management?: "Massively impressed. I know Keith pretty well - he's an intelligent guy and somebody who has earned the right to be at his level. This is someone's who put in the had yards. I have huge respect for Keith and he has done a fantastic job. I look forward to seeing him at the weekend and having a chat."

    BBC Radio Lancashire have commentary of Burnley v Brentford on Saturday. It'll be on 95.5FM with Scott Read & David Unsworth

  17. 'Very impressive' showings undermined by racial abusepublished at 12:07 GMT 24 February

    Natalie Bromley
    Fan writer

    Burnley fan's voice banner
    Joao Pedro chases Hannibal Mejbri on the ballImage source, Getty Images

    How, in 2026, are we still reading headlines of racial abuse being directed at Premier League (and no doubt other) players? This week, police forces across the country will be investigating six separate incidents of online racial abuse following games in England and Scotland alone. Two of those incidents came from Burnley's clash with Chelsea, with both Hannibal Mejbri and Wesley Fofana being targeted.

    Let me say this loud and clear for those at the back: discrimination in any form is wrong; behaviour which seeks to intimidate, offend or harm an individual based on their perceived race, colour, ethnicity, nationality or national origins is wrong; posting your hate behind anonymous and faceless social media profiles does not make you immune from consequences.

    We have to do more as a society to eliminate this behaviour once and for all. As the saying goes, to fight racism, we have to be proactively anti-racist.

    For all the pressure that Scott Parker and his team are under, they have quietly delivered two very impressive back to back results; firstly, coming back from 2-0 down to win 2-3 at Crystal Palace, before levelling against Chelsea deep into stoppage time on Saturday afternoon.

    Let's get the negatives out of the way first; in both games the Clarets conceded very early goals and that is something Parker has to get under control. There is little point persisting with a system of five at the back if you are going to invite so much pressure onto your back line. Never mind the immediate impact it has on your game plan.

    But irrespective of that, Burnley delivered something that has been lacking for a while – grit and determination. The Clarets may well have left it too late to have any meaningful impact on this season, but it would help build some bridges with the fans if they go down with a fight.

    Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

  18. Chelsea 1-1 Burnley - the fans' verdictpublished at 07:58 GMT 23 February

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    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Burnley.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Chelsea fans

    Danny: Absolutely cringe worthy watching Chelsea. It's no coincidence that we've dropped points again at home. We have no divine right to beat Burnley, but with better finishing and an experienced manager at the helm, surely we would have got three points. Nothing yet has changed from the previous manager. Dodgy keeper, squad rotation, unsettled back four, unable to see out games. Disciplinary record and the choice of subs awful. The players are reasonably good. Unfortunately, it looks like Liam Rosenior is a puppet to high management and when we don't win anything and finish sixth, the next one will come through the door. Doing my head in. Most of the people that sit round me don't go any more. They sell the tickets to tourists. This is the new Chelsea! Year of the horse shirts for sale in the megastore!

    Jarvis: A display of everything that is wrong with Chelsea. Fully expect Cole Palmer to be gone in the summer. Woeful.

    Alan: Wesley Fofana's sheer stupidity has cost Chelsea two points. Saying that, the whole team performance was, once again, nowhere near good enough. No top five finish, no Champions League - forget it, Chelsea.

    David: I have been a Chelsea fan for 40 years. The team is full of average players - because the cost of the players they assume they are good. The new regime is happy with keeping in Europe but not interested in winning. Average team with very average manager.

    Burnley fans

    Rickers: Draws against Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and now Chelsea show that this team can compete. Sadly, results against other teams have not been good enough across the season. Still, we keep going!

    Alan: The positive is the point. The negatives is an inexhaustible list. Schoolboy defending. Constantly giving what little ball they had away in dangerous areas of the pitch. No physicality until Ashley Barnes, when it took two Chelsea defenders to mark him, leaving space for other Burnley players in the box. I am at a complete loss as to the tactics Burnley try to deploy at the start of games, as any plan instantly degenerates into headless chicken mode. Please get people in with the capability of instilling into the players the basics of facing forward and playing in the opposition half, rather than running back towards their own goal in desperation.

    Vincent: This team are working very hard for Scot Parker. Unexpected draws against Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, beating Crystal Palace away - if we're going down, we go down fighting. I think we need to hang on to Parker. He doesn't deserve boos. And never boo your own team!

    David: Parker seems to be lost and devoid of ideas. It's time for the return of the king... bring back Sean Dyche!

  19. Chelsea 1-1 Burnley: What Parker and Flemming saidpublished at 18:46 GMT 21 February

    Media caption,

    Burnley manager Scott Parker speaking to BBC Sport: "A little bit frustrated but overall I can't be anything but proud of the team. Overall our performance was worthy of the point we gained - and maybe it could have been three.

    "In the first half I felt we were getting into the game, second half you play a quality side with 10 men and sometimes that quality can still prove problematic. But our desire and intent was first class."

    On Zian Flemming's goal from James Ward-Prowse's corner: "Incredible header. A set-piece straight off the training ground in terms of how we free up that space. James is on the money every time."

    On the relegation battle: "We were at fault last weekend for bringing the noise back on us [in exiting the FA Cup to League One Mansfield].

    "At times with the level we have come up against we have fallen short. What we have never fallen short on is togetherness, commitment and resilience. The resilience of the group to pick themselves up and keep doing what they do... this team has serious resilience and hopefully we're still in this."

    Burnley goalscorer Zian Flemming speaking to Sky Sports: "It's a really good result and you would take it before the game. But with the game ending against 10 men I feel some disappointment now.

    "I think we can be proud of ourselves. The team showed great resilience, we stayed in the game until the very end and it says something that I am here disappointed with only a point.

    "It sounds weird that I am disappointed with a point at Chelsea, but we need wins. As soon as we got to 1-1 we decided to go all-in for the three points. To get so close, we can still be proud, but it is a bit of mixed feelings."

    On their fight to avoid relegation: "Everyone knows that the gap is massive if you look at the table. But of course we can [stay up]. It is not going to be easy, we know we need a miracle or something extraordinary.

    "We are trying now to put in an extraordinary input to try and get and extraordinary outcome."

    On manager Scott Parker: "He is on the front line and us players are right behind him. He will never give up and that is something he tells us and brings to us as people."

    Did you know?

    • Following their 3-2 victory against Crystal Palace last week, Burnley have avoided defeat in consecutive Premier League away games in London for the first time since March 2024, which also included a draw against Chelsea.