Spurs blow it as in-form Burnley march on
● Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge suffered a crushing blow as Ashley Barnes’ late strike sealed a shock 2-1 win for Burnley.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side would have moved within two points of leaders Manchester City with a win at Turf Moor. But they squandered the chance to enhance their title prospects with a sloppy display that saw Chris Wood put Burnley ahead after halftime. There was controversy about Wood’s goal as it came from a corner that shouldn’t have been given. But Pochettino’s men had a break of their own when Harry Kane, back after seven games with an ankle injury, capitalised on a throw-in from the wrong place.
But Spurs paid the price for sloppy defending as Barnes struck with seven minutes left to extend Burnley’s unbeaten league run to eight matches.
Confronting referee
Pochettino was fuming at fulltime, confronting referee Mike Dean and his assistants on the pitch in a lengthy rant that showed his frustration at both Burnley’s first goal and Tottenham’s missed opportunity.
Kane, back to fitness ahead of schedule, grew more menacing as he shook off the rust and early in the second half the striker drew a superb tip-over from Tom Heaton when he let fly from 25 yards.
Moments later, Pochettino was fuming on the touchline as Burnley snatched the lead with Wood’s seventh goal in his last 10 games in the 57th minute.
When Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen slid in to challenge Jeff Hendrick, a corner was given to Burnley even though the ball appeared to come off the Clarets man last. From Ashley Westwood’s corner, Wood timed his run to climb above the statuesque Juan Foyth and Toby Alderweireld. The New Zealand striker’s powerful header hit the crossbar and bounced over the line.
Pochettino complained bitterly to the fourth official, but the Argentine’s protests were quelled as Tottenham grabbed a controversial goal eight minutes later.
Danny Rose took a Tottenham throw from several yards further forward than the spot the ball went out, and his delivery sent Kane racing clear on goal. Kane held off Ben Mee and slotted a cool finish past Heaton.
Then Johann Berg Gudmundsson drove into the Tottenham area and smashed a cross-shot towards the far post and, with Vertonghen unable to clear, Barnes tapped into the empty net.