Burnley upset Wolves’ challenge for top four with late equaliser
With survival ensured before Project Restart, Burnley have done a fine job upsetting opponents who have everything to play for. Wolves were their latest victims, with Chris Wood’s last-gasp equaliser denting their Champions League hopes.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team looked like they had moved within a point of the top-four places when Raul Jimenez’s beautiful volley found the top corner, but conceding late means they will be out of the running should Manchester United and Leicester win tonight.
Wood had an eventful stoppagetime, missing an open goal with a header before helping earn a penalty when he was challenged by Matt Doherty, whose arm brushed the ball and was deemed a penalty under new handball rules.
“We managed the game, then after that you have to look whether you get the justice and in the game sometimes that doesn’t exist,” said Nuno. “It’s always hard to take when you concede a goal and when it is in the final moments it is even harder.”
Wolves’ season started almost a year ago with Europa League qualifiers, and they have lost their momentum in the last 10 days after returning from football’s break for coronavirus with a chance of snatching a place in the top four. They have failed to win in three of their last four games and their best chance of reaching the Champions League will be to win the Europa. Despite injuries and players leaving the club, Burnley have beaten Watford and West Ham to have a say on the relegation battle. Sheffield United and Wolves have dropped points against them in the race for Europe. Sean Dyche is poised for a top-half finish and considering the obstacles faced views it as a huge achievement. “It would be considerable,” he said. Jimenez found the net with 14 minutes left. The move started with Adama Traore riding challenges in his own half and carrying the ball forward. Doherty had an effort blocked by James Tarkowski but it fell to Jimenez to lash into the top corner. Burnley, whose unbeaten run stretches to six matches, could have levelled when Wood headed wide of an open goal. But Wood’s attempted overhead kick, from Phil Bardsley’s nod down, saw the ball strike Doherty’s arm for the penalty. The New Zealand striker found the top corner for his 12th of the season. Burnley