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3 hours ago
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Burnley missed out on the chance to go top of the Championship but have goalkeeper James Trafford to thank for keeping them in second after he saved two late penalties from Wilson Isidor against Sunderland in a goalless draw.
If Isidor had scored from the spot, it would have sent the Black Cats above the Clarets and a point behind the leaders Leeds. Burnley’s promotion push is starting to feel like a grind, having scored once in their past four Championship matches as they aim to make life hard for themselves in search of a return to the Premier League, although their defensive record is now a very boastful nine conceded in 27 games.
The main thing to know about Burnley is that they do not concede many goals thanks to their highly-disciplined and well-organised defence. It was therefore somewhat surprising to see Trafford sprint 30 yards from his goal in the hope of beating Isidor to reach a pass over the top, only to lose the foot race. Trafford was saved by the covering Maxime Estève who swept up the danger and avoided calamity.
If Burnley are robust at the back, they are just about efficient in attack. They create few chances but often only need one to seal a win. When Lyle Foster cut in from the left into space between the Sunderland defence and midfield, he had time to dribble across the pitch and find Jaidon Anthony whose shot was heading towards the corner until Anthony Patterson’s hand diverted round the post.
Sunderland were bright in possession and looked to move the ball forward at speed but would always find a Burnley player snapping at their heels.
Debutant Enzo Le Fée, who cost Roma £20m in the summer, started on the left of midfield after reuniting with his former Lorient head coach, Regis Le Bris. The Frenchman is an impressive signing for the Black Cats and looked composed when looking for a pass and often found the right man.
Le Bris’s side arrived as one of only two teams to have defeated Burnley this season, having won 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in August. They were causing them problems again with their high press and Isidor’s physicality up against Estève. The Frenchman had Sunderland’s first shot on the match when he latched on to a bouncing ball from Trai Hume and lashed a shot just wide as a warning to the hosts.
Attempts to play out from the back were causing Burnley problems as Sunderland’s relentless press meant they could not move the ball forward, instead being kettled in their own defensive third. When they did decide to go more direct, there was no one to hold up the ball, allowing for the visiting defence to enjoy an extended period of relaxation.
Few people rushed back to their seats after the interval, having witnessed the relative drudge before the break. They missed two chances in the opening minutes from Zian Flemming and Isidor, both should have done better from good positions inside the area but fired wide, via the post in Sunderland’s case. It did at least give hope of a more exciting second half.
The chances heightened the tension but not the quality on show. Le Fée was growing into the game as he learned the enjoyment of Championship, having spent the previous six months in Serie A.
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He took a shot from around 25 yards which whistled past the post to give a further indication of the quality in his left boot.
While Sunderland were sharpening their knives, Burnley were blunt and rightly had a penalty appeal turned down when Luke O’Nien beat Flemming to the ball when it looked destined to score. It was Flemming’s final act as Scott Parker turned to the bench in the hope of inspiration, bringing on Jeremy Sarmiento in his place.
The telling moment of action came in the 84th minute when Isidor got the wrong side of Egan-Riley and was awarded a debatable penalty. Isidor pummelled the spot-kick but Trafford went right to keep it out. It was not the end of the action as debutant Oliver Sonne then brought down Dennis Cirkin in the box and Trafford did the business again to repel Isidor and earn a draw.
