Late penalty rescues point for Burnley against Southampton

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:25 am

Burnley's Ashley Barnes converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn a 1-1 draw with Southampton at Turf Moor on Saturday.

A superb 55th-minute strike from Nathan Redmond had given Southampton the lead before the late drama.

With the clock running down, Ashley Westwood lofted a cross towards new signing Peter Crouch, on as a substitute, and Saints defender Jack Stephens was adjudged to have handled. Burnley had not been given a penalty in their previous 67 league games, but Barnes kept his cool and slotted past Alex McCarthy to extend the home side's unbeaten run to six games.

Southampton, revitalised under Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, are unbeaten in five and have now claimed eight points from a possible 12 in their last four away matches.

Burnley will consider the penalty just reward after they had strong appeals for a spot kick turned down when Barnes went down under challenge from McCarthy in the 33rd minute.

"I'm flummoxed. That is as clear a penalty as I have seen in a long, long time," Burnley manager Sean Dyche said.

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"I am outspoken when people go down too easy. Ashley Barnes had no other choice as the keeper takes the legs away and yet Ashley comes away with a booking.

"It would have been ridiculous if we didn't get something out of the game".

Redmond's opener was a fine solo effort, the midfielder picking the ball up deep, running at the defence and beating keeper Tom Heaton with a low drive into the bottom corner.

The introduction of 38-year-old debutant Crouch in the 76th minute caused some chaos in the Saints defence and Barnes had smashed a volley against the bar before he scored from the spot.

"This feels like losing," said Hassenhuettl, "But I think it was a fair result. We had a few situations where we were lucky.

"We are unbeaten in five games which is important for me. We had a big chance [to win] but it's important to keep winning points consistently and that's what we are doing. This point will help us in the end very much so I see the positives."