Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill scored twice in a dramatic final 10 minutes on Vicarage Road to give Burnley a decisive 2-1 victory and almost confirmed Watford’s relegation from the Premier League.
Norwich, who lost 2-0 to Aston Villa, dropped out as a result of the Clarettes’ late turnaround, while Watford, who became the first team in league history to lose 11 consecutive home league games, is now 12 points safe with four games to play.
The hosts took the lead in the eighth minute, after James Tarkovsky inadvertently turned the ball into his own net when Juraj Kuka’s shot came back from the crossbar.
But Burnley, who already have three wins in four unbeaten games under Chief Mike Jackson, reunited in the second half before finally equalizing with a header from Cork in the 82nd minute.
And four minutes later, they grabbed the winner when Brownhill passed the ball into the net from the edge of the zone to give his hopes of survival another huge boost and move five points above the relegation zone.
How Burnley stung the Hornets
Watford caught Burnley a cold in the sun on Vicarridge Road. Hook saw that his shot from inside the penalty area crashed into the bottom of the crossbar before bouncing back from the helpless Tarkovsky into the net.
Team news:
Roy Hodgson made three changes to Watford, who lost 5-1 to Manchester City last weekend.
Joao Pedro replaced Josh King at the front, who was eliminated on the bench.
Tom Cleverley was not on the team as Juraj Kucka joined the team as he missed the City match. Kiko Femenia did the same with Jeremy Ngakia.
Burnley’s manager Mike Jackson missed out on the winner of the match, Matthew Vidra, but eventually launched it.
The striker scored the only goal in their 1-0 win over the Wolves last Sunday, but Aaron Lennon took his place until Jay Rodriguez retired just before the opening shot.
Maxwell Cornet was unavailable last week and was still out with a knee injury.
Kiko Femenia of Watford also hit the crossbar directly from a corner while Burnley’s terrible start continued, but the visitors thought they had a penalty when Dwight McNeill was tripped by Musa Sissoko. However, the VAR intervened, deciding that the midfielder had been fouled less than a yard outside the penalty area.
Burnley could only improve in the second half and within 60 seconds Ben Foster repulsed a shot from Aaron Lennon. Despite their improved start, Clarets had to thank Nick Pope for refusing Kucka with a brilliant save.
Image: Ben Foster makes a stunning rescue to deny Ashley Barnes of Burnley
Wout Weghorst was replaced an hour later and was still shaking his head at the decision five minutes later as he sat on the bench. Jackson’s decision was almost justified when Weghorst’s deputy Ashley Barnes saw his shot from close range from a corner pushed superbly to the crossbar by Foster and then crashed a yard from the goal line.
Burnley dominated in the second half, with their award finally coming in the final stages. Charlie Taylor made a superb cross from the left, which was hit by a header from Cork in the back post.
The guests felt the winner, who arrived just four minutes later with the kind assistance of Brownhill, who passed the ball in the bottom corner of the field.
Player rating:
Watford: Foster (7), Luza (6), Pedro (7), Kamara (6), Sisoko (6), Femenia (6), Samir (6), Sar (6), Denis (6), Cabasel (6), Bitch (6).
Burnley: Pope (7), Taylor (7), Cork (7), Tarkovsky (6), Brownhill (7), Weghhorst (5), McNeill (7), Roberts (7), Lennon (6), Otter (6), Collins (6).
Subs: Lawton (none), Barnes (6), Stevens (none)
Match player: Josh Brownhill
What next?
Watford travel to Crystal Palace next weekend as their Premier League safety offer continues. The Hornets then have home games against Everton and Leicester before going to Chelsea on the last day of the season.
Burnley will try to maintain their position just above the relegation zone against Aston Villa next Wednesday. The Clarets traveled to Tottenham and Aston Villa later in May before hosting Newcastle for their last campaign match.
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