Kompany: I won a title in 30 seconds so we CAN stay up!

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DAVID FOFANA’S rescue mission for Burnley has been a year in the making for manager Vincent Kompany. The Chelsea loan striker’s two late goals, including a stoppage-time equaliser, give Burnley renewed hope of survival when little existed at 2-0 down inside the first 21 minutes. Afterwards, Kompany revealed he had first tried to sign the Ivorian from Norwegian club Molde at the start of 2023 but was beaten by an £11million bid from Stamford Bridge. ‘I was following him and we put our offer in,’ explained the Burnley manager. ‘He has contact strength, can stretch the game and has goalscoring ability. Sometimes it is just about the right timing to get these players.’ Kompany returned to land the 21-year-old on loan after he had struggled to make an impression at Union Berlin, where he was sent for the first half of the season. His first appearance at Turf Moor was memorable. After Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz had put Fulham in charge, Fofana was introduced just past the hour. Within eight minutes, his header got Burnley on the scoreboard. And amid joyous scenes on 91 minutes, he stumbled forward to meet Wilson Odobert’s cross for a precious leveller. Though Burnley remain seven points from safety, the mood has shifted. ‘Fofana is difficult to play against because he’s unpredictable,’ said Kompany. ‘It doesn’t look like he’s in the right tempo but it comes off.’ Kompany will be the last person to write off Burnley’s hopes. ‘I’ve won a League title having 30 seconds to score two goals, so belief is never an issue with me,’ smiled the former Manchester City captain. ‘I’d be more disappointed if we didn’t have a go. The fans always respect that. There’s no point looking at the table if we don’t take care of business ourselves.’ BURNLEY (4-2-3-1): Trafford 7; Assignon 6.5 (Massengo 90min), O’Shea 6, Ekdal 5 (Esteve 45, 6.5), Vitinho 6 (Larsen 87); Berge 5.5, Brownhill 6; Amdouni 5.5 (Fofana 63, 7), Ramsey 5 (Gudmundsson 63 6), ODOBERT 8; Foster 7. Scorer: Fofana 71, 90. Booked: Fofana, Berge. Manager: Vincent Kompany 6.5 FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno 5.5; Castagne 6, Tosin 6, Ream 7, Robinson 7; Reed 6.5 (Cairney 74), Palhinha 7; Willian 7, Pereira 7.5 (Tete 84), De Cordova-Reid 6; Muniz 7 (Broja 74). Scorers: Palhinha 17, Muniz 21. Booked: Reed, Pereira. Referee: Darren Bond 7. 20,203.