CROUCH DUNNIT.. Peter wins penalty to end saga like Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap
BURNLEY 1 SOUTHAMPTON 1
NEW BOY Peter Crouch was Burnley’s lucky charm as they smashed their penalty jinx in dramatic fashion at Turf Moor.
A goal down to a magnificent finish from Nathan Redmond and still cursing the rejection of what appeared to be a stonewall first-half spot-kick, it seemed the 12-yard hoodoo was reaching Agatha Christie Mousetrap proportions.
Like the West End show, the run of games without a penalty for the Clarets in the Premier League seemed to be going on for ever.
They were just seconds away from recording a 68th top- flight game without a penalty award when Ashley Westwood curled in a cross.
It was aimed at surprise transfer window capture Crouch, who had been sent on for a 15- minute substitute cameo, in a crowded box.
The mere presence of the gangly Crouch sent Saints defender Jack Stephens into panic mode.
And Stephens’ sprawling hand flicking the ball away from the former England striker was spotted by referee Anthony Taylor.
Taylor had been public enemy No. 1 as far as the home fans were con - cerned after ruling that Ashley
Barnes had dived after tumbling over keeper Alex McCarthy in the 31st minute when he chased a Phil Bardsley ball into the area.
TV replays suggested that Taylor was wrong and should have pointed to the spot. To add to Barnes’ disgust, he was also booked for simulation while steam erupted from manager Sean Dyche’s ears.
Justice was done when Barnes maintained his composure to stroke Burnley’s first league penalty since April 2017 past McCarthy.
Dyche ( left) said: “It was deserved because it would have been a travesty if we hadn’t got at least a point.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing with the penalty that wasn’t given.
“You have to be seriously worried if the second one hadn’t have been given. I don’t know how I would have conducted myself then. It would have been mental.
“As for Ashley Barnes seeming ly being booked for simulation on the first incident, I would have been too worried about going into the referee’s room to hear that for myself.”
Saints were all smiles when the lively Redmond fired them into a 55th-minute lead.
Defender Jan Bednarek fed him the ball and the forward weaved his way to the edge of the area before burying a low shot past Tom Heaton. The keeper had saved well from former Burnley striker Danny Ings, who looked sharp and dangerous before giving way to a hamstring strain.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted: “I think it was a fair result. We had a few situations where we were lucky.
“But we are unbeaten in five games which is important to me. We showed again that we are hard to beat, also away.”