Tella’s hot double puts Clarets on fast track to Prem
NATHAN TELLA bagged a deadly double as Burnley took another step closer to Premier League promotion.
The Southampton loan midfielder, 23, struck in both halves to take his impressive goal tally to 14 in the league as the Clarets eased to victory over struggling 10-man Wigan.
Tella needed just 14 minutes to fire the hosts ahead and then defender Omar Rekik was sent-off for two yellow cards as the Latics were left with a mountain to climb.
Man-of-the-match Tella headed home two minutes into the second half and substitute Lyle Foster bagged his debut goal for the club with a fine finish.
Clarets boss Vincent Kompany singled out Tella after his side extended their impressive unbeaten league run to 16 games.
“He’s slowly getting to a level where he’s fulfilling some of his potential,” he said.
Kompany’s ambitious side are now 13 points clear at the top with just 10 league fixtures remaining.
He said: “I’m delighted with the win because we were playing a game against a side who are really fighting to avoid relegation.”
Icelandic international midfielder Johann Gudmundsson forced Latics keeper Ben Amos to save after just two minutes and only the post denied Anass Zaroury the opener.
But Tella headed in from Zaroury’s cross to score his first goal for a month.
Booked early in the action for a cynical foul on Tella, Rekik was then sent-off for another clumsy challenge and the home side smelled blood.
Gudmundsson curled agonisingly wide from the resulting free-kick before left-back Ian Maatsen – back in the side after a shoulder injury – saw his right-foot rocket superbly saved by ex-Manchester United shot-stopper Amos.
A fine save from Burnley keeper Arijanet Muric denied substitute Steven Caulker an equaliser six minutes before the break, but the home side raised their level after the resumption and Tella headed Zaroury’s corner home from close-range. Amos denied Ashley Barnes with a smart save and Tella fired wide, but Foster pounced with 14 minutes left to put the contest well and truly out of reach.
Wigan have now failed to win in their last six and are rooted to the foot of the table.
Frustrated Latics boss Shaun Maloney admitted: “I was super proud of what the lads did on the pitch.
“But once we went down to 10 men it was very difficult.”