Pair are Ince-nsed by the officials as Zaroury settles it
THERE were fireworks from the Ince family as Burnley kept their nerve to stay on top of the Championship.
Both Reading boss Paul and his son Tom were shown yellow cards as they saw their plans go up in smoke on a frenetic afternoon, in which Vincent Kompany’s side again left it late to grab the win.
In midweek an 82nd-minute goal from Jay Rodriguez had snatched three points against Norwich.
Yesterday it wasn’t until the fourth minute of added time that the Clarets struck to leave the Inces apoplectic. Ince senior had already been booked in the aftermath of Burnley’s equaliser, claiming that his side should have had a penalty with Josh Brownhill appearing to handle in his own area.
In a frantic finale Ince junior can claim with some justification that with the score at 1-1 he was tripped in the box by Ian Maatsen.
As he banged his fists on the sodden turf in frustration – he was later booked in a flare-up sparked by following through on Anass Zaroury – Burnley took advantage to claim the three points.
Sub Manuel Benson jinked towards the box and his brilliant cross was headed in by Zaroury.
Ince said: “It’s a tough one to take. No one had given us a chance but I’ve got to say it the referee is a joke. That’s why we have come away with nothing.
“The penalty on Thomas is blatant. I can understand the handball one because there are a lot of people there. When it came to the 92nd minute and Maatsen fouls him, the assistant referee has a great view of it and the referee is 20 yards behind him. They will say they will have a look at it but that’s no bloody use to me. They didn’t have the balls to make the decision.
“We’ve been conned. I’m going back on the coach feeling we’ve been robbed.”
Reading had taken a surprise 56th-minute lead. Keeper Joe Lumley launched a clearance deep into the home side’s half which was headed on by Yakou Meite for Ince to calmly slot past the advancing Arijanet Muric.
It was now a test of nerve and character for a Burnley side who had taken hold of top spot on the back of losing just one game.
Kompany reshuffled his pack and one of his substitutes, Benson, delivered the equaliser in stunning style, volleying in from the edge of the area in the 65th minute.
A relieved Kompany said: “This ticks another box. We were behind but went for the win. .”