Cork is Burnley’s Euro talisman once again
Cork 97
Jack Cork was Burnley’s Europa League hero again as Sean Dyche’s men edged past Istanbul Basaksehir in extratime and booked a play-off trip to Greece.
The Clarets were held to a goalless draw in regulation time by their Turkish opponents, replicating last week’s away leg stalemate, but substitute Cork rifled a 97th-minute winner to keep the club’s continental adventure going.
The once-capped England midfielder netted at a similar stage in the previous round to break the deadlock against Aberdeen and he will get the chance to extend his unlikely scoring streak against Olympiacos next week.
Joe Hart had a night to remember, making a series of strong saves in an extended duel with Edin Visca, and has yet to concede after three outings for his new club.
Sean Dyche’s efforts in steering Burnley into Europe earned him considerable praise but he has made it clear the competition must come a clear second behind the Premier League. As such there were seven changes in his starting XI, with a debut for £15 million defender Ben Gibson the most notable.
But it was the recalled Ashley Barnes who was most eager to impress. He barrelled into challenges, chased long balls and almost scrapped his way to an early opener after upending Alexandru Epureanu and finding the side netting.
Phil Bardsley’s drive worked Mert Gunok but Burnley’s possession quickly lost focus. Charlie Taylor forced an error from Gunok when he chased down his clearance, which squirmed free to Aaron Lennon but the winger’s finish lacked composure.
Emmanuel Adebayor, a familiar face from his Arsenal and Manchester City days, emerged from the Basaksehir bench in the 66th minute and Dyche made a double switch with Cork and Chris Wood entering the fray. The changes made little difference and extra-time became inevitable when a 90th-minute handball appeal against Junior Caicara was waved away.
Just as he had done against Aberdeen, Cork made the difference. The visitors were guilty of risible passing at the back but Burnley took full advantage, Jeff Hendrick orchestrating a patient buildup that ended with the substitute locating the top corner with a clean hit. LAST NIGHT
Uefa Europa League third qualifying round second leg AEK Larnaca 5 Sturm Graz 0 (agg: 7-0), Apoel Nicosia 3 Hapoel Beer Sheva 1 (agg: 5-3), Atalanta 2 Hapoel Haifa 0 (agg: 6-1), Basel 1 Vitesse 0 (agg: 2-0), Bordeaux 2 Mariupol 1 (agg: 5-2), Braga (1) v Zorya (1) (agg: ), Brondby 2 Spartak 1 (agg: 4-1), Burnley 1 Istanbul Basaksehir 0 aet (agg: 1-0), CFR Cluj-napoca 5 Alashkert FC 0 (agg: 7-0), CSU Craiova 1 RB Leipzig 1 (agg: 2-4), Dinamo Brest 1 Apollon Limassol 0 (agg: 1-4), F91 Dudelange 2 Legia Warsaw 2 (agg: 4-3), FC Copenhagen 2 CSKA Sofia 1 (agg: 4-2), FC Midtjylland 3 The New Saints FC 1 (agg: 5-1), FCSB 2 Hajduk Split 1 (agg: 2-1), FK Kukesi 2 Torpedo Kutaisi 0 (agg: 4-5), FK Suduva 0 FK Spartaks Jurmala 0 (agg: 1-0), FK Zalgiris Vilnius 0 Sevilla 5 (agg: 0-6), Feyenoord 1 Trencin 1 (agg: 1-5), Gent 3 Jagiellonia Bialystock 1 (agg: 4-1), HJK 1 Olimpija Ljubljana 4 (agg: 1-7), Kairat Almaty 1 Sigma Olomouc 2 (agg: 1-4), LASK Linz 2 Besiktas 1 (agg: 2-2, Linz win on away goals), Lech Poznan 1 Genk 2 (agg: 1-4), Lucerne 1 Olympiacos 3 (agg: 1-7), Maccabi Tel-aviv 2 Pyunik 1 (agg: 2-1), Maribor 0 Rangers 0 (agg: 1-3), Molde 3 Hibernian 0 (agg: 3-0), Partizan Belgrade 3 FC Nordsjaelland 2 (agg: 5-3), Rapid Vienna 4 Slovan Bratislava 0 (agg: 5-2), Rijeka 0 Sarpsborg 1 (agg: 2-1), Rosenborg 3 Cork City 0 (agg: 5-0), Valur Reykjavik 2 Sheriff 1 (agg: 2-2, Sheriff win on away goals), Zenit St Petersburg 8 Dinamo Minsk 1 aet (agg: 8-5), Zrinjski Mostar 1 Ludogorets 1 (agg: 1-2), Progres Niederkorn 2 Ufa 2 (agg: 3-4).
Carabao Cup first round Sunderland 0 Sheffield Wednesday 2.
TONIGHT (all 7:45pm)
Sky Bet Championship
Birmingham v Swansea
Sky Bet League Two
Notts County v Yeovil