Tag: Burnley

Leeds United all but secured their place in the Premier League next season with a 3-1 win over already-relegated Burnley on Friday.

Goals from Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took Daniel Farke’s side nine points clear of the relegation zone with just four games remaining for those below them.

Leeds failed to reach their first FA Cup final since 1973 in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Wembley last weekend.

But they are now up to 14th in an impressive first season back in the top flight, along with Sunderland, bucking the trend of promoted sides falling straight back to the second tier.

“The three points are massive for us,” said Farke. “The job is not done yet. We will celebrate properly when it’s mathematically done. But 43 points is good.”

Staying up would also be huge for Farke in his bid to silence his doubters at the Premier League level.

Twice, the German led Norwich to the English top-flight but was unable to keep the Canaries in the top flight.

“Of course, it was a massive step for us tonight,” he added. “To deliver 10 points out of the last four games in a nervy period, as a newly-promoted side, is second to none.”

Burnley were only pipped to the Championship title by Leeds United on goal difference last season.

But the Clarets have struggled much more with the step up, as they have been relegated for the third time in as many seasons in the Premier League.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Burnley parted company with manager Scott Parker on Thursday despite his exceptional record of achieving promotion from the Championship with three different clubs.

The difference in what was at stake for both clubs was clear in the opening stages as Leeds burst out of the blocks.

Stach fired the home side in front after just eight minutes as Martin Dubravka got down slowly to the German’s low drive.

Leeds dominated the rest of the first half but had to wait for a two-goal burst in four minutes just after the break to seal the points.

A brilliant move was finished off by Okafor after Calvert-Lewin’s backheel picked out Jayden Bogle.

The Swiss forward has scored six goals in his last seven league games to see Leeds over the line in the relegation battle.

But it was Calvert-Lewin’s goals that kept his side afloat earlier in the campaign.

The England striker prodded home his 13th goal of the season from close range after Dubravka could only parry Ao Tanaka’s strike.

Burnley salvaged some pride from Mike Jackson’s first match in interim charge when Loum Tchaouna blasted in a late consolation.

READ: Jannik Sinner to face Alexander Zverev in Madrid Open final

Scott Parker has left his position as head coach of Burnley by mutual consent following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, it was announced on Thursday.

Burnley said in a statement that Parker and the board had “mutually agreed that his time at Turf Moor would conclude” following one season back in the English top division.

Parker led the Clarets to promotion last year, but this season has been a struggle, with just four league wins in total.

Burnley’s fate was confirmed on April 22 after a 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City, two days after Wolves were relegated.

Parker, who has previously managed Fulham, Bournemouth and Belgian side Club Brugge, signed a three-year contract in July 2024, succeeding Vincent Kompany.

He oversaw a remarkable 2024/25 season in the Championship, which included a 31-match unbeaten run and 30 clean sheets, taking them back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

But Burnley have conceded 68 goals in 34 league matches in the current campaign, the most of any side, and were knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup by third-tier teams.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Scott for his professionalism, dedication and contribution,” Burnley said in a statement.

“He leaves with the respect and gratitude of everyone connected with Burnley Football Club.”

Former England midfielder Parker, 45, said in a statement on the club’s website that it had been an “immense privilege” to lead Burnley.

“I have enjoyed every moment of our journey together, but feel that now is the right time for both parties to move in a different direction,” he said.

“I reflect back with great pride on what we achieved during my time at the club, especially our unforgettable promotion season in 2024/25, and it was a true honour to lead this team into the Premier League.”

The club said Parker’s assistant, Mike Jackson, would take charge of the club’s four remaining Premier League fixtures, beginning with Friday’s match at Leeds United.

It said the process of appointing a new permanent head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season had begun.

READ: Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag penalised for vaping in dressing room

Manchester City edged ahead of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League as a 1-0 victory at Turf Moor condemned Burnley to relegation on Wednesday.

The defeat confirmed the Clarets’ third Premier League relegation in five seasons, consigning them to the Championship alongside Wolves next season.

Erling Haaland scored the only goal as Pep Guardiola’s men ended the day top of the table for the first time since August, but the City boss was frustrated at his side’s inability to win by a greater margin.

City go ahead of the Gunners only on goals scored, with five games left for both the title contenders. However, City have on paper the tougher run-in as they aim to snatch a seventh league title in nine years.

Fresh from beating Arsenal 2-1 in what was billed as a title decider on Sunday, the visitors roared out of the blocks.

A stunning save by Martin Dubravka turned Rayan Cherki’s shot onto the woodwork.

Haaland was then set free by Jeremy Doku and coolly chipped over the advancing Dubravka with just five minutes on the clock.

Manchester City continued to pepper Dubravka with efforts from distance, but Guardiola grew visibly angry as they let the tempo drop in their pursuit of more goals.

Burnley could even have been level by half-time as Zian Flemming dragged a glorious chance wide.

Haaland hit the post after the break, but City’s failure to rack up a more convincing scoreline leaves the title race tantalisingly poised.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

At the other end of the table, Burnley have to rebuild once more in the second tier.

A return of just 20 points from 34 games has left Scott Parker’s men 13 adrift of safety with only four games remaining.

It is the fifth consecutive season that Burnley have either been relegated or promoted as they oscillate between the riches of the Premier League and the Championship.

Three wins from their opening nine games offered hope that they could join Sunderland and Leeds in bucking the trend of promoted sides being immediately relegated back to the second tier. However, just one win in their 25 matches has sealed their fate.

Parker has become a Championship specialist, also winning promotion in the past with Fulham and Bournemouth. But the former Tottenham and Chelsea midfielder has consistently struggled at all three clubs to make an impact in the Premier League.

Bournemouth’s challenge to qualify for Europe for the first time was dented by Sean Longstaff’s 97th-minute equaliser for Leeds in a 2-2 draw. Junior Kroupi’s opener for Bournemouth was quickly cancelled out by a James Hill own goal.

Rayan’s strike had the Cherries on course for the top six until Longstaff’s volleyed leveller.

A point edges Bournemouth above Chelsea, who sacked Liam Rosenior on Wednesday, into seventh. Leeds are now nine points clear of the relegation zone.

READ: Bayern Munich edge past Leverkusen to reach German Cup final

Chelsea stepped up their Premier League title challenge with a gritty 2-0 win against struggling Burnley on Saturday.

Pedro Neto put the Blues ahead just before the interval at Turf Moor, and Enzo Fernandez netted in the closing stages.

Enzo Maresca’s side climb to second place and sit three points behind leaders Arsenal, who host Tottenham on Sunday.

The Blues have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, making it a memorable 50th Premier League game in charge for Maresca.

It was the ideal warm-up for Chelsea ahead of a crucial week featuring home games against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal in the Premier League on November 30.

The west Londoners would drop back down to third place if Manchester City avoids defeat against Newcastle later on Saturday, but regardless of that result, their hard-fought victory in freezing Lancashire added to their title momentum.

Fourth-bottom Burnley have now lost five of their last seven league matches.

Chelsea were without Cole Palmer after the England forward extended his prolonged injury absence by fracturing his toe after stubbing it on a door.

Palmer had been set to resume training this week after two months out with a groin problem.

Adding to Maresca’s issues, fatigued Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo was left on the bench after arriving back from international duty on Thursday.

Maresca had complained about Chelsea being given the early Saturday kick-off again.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His mood wasn’t improved in the fifth minute when Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez accidentally booted the ball into Fernandez’s head, a miscue that left the Argentine midfielder needing a brief concussion check.

Fernandez was able to play on, and despite that painful interlude, Chelsea eventually took control.

Neto’s effort from the edge of the area deflected wide before Jamie Gittens lashed over from a tight angle.

Kyle Walker bailed out Burnley on his 400th Premier League appearance with a last-ditch block to stop Gittens tapping in Neto’s cross.

Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah was fortunate not to concede a farcical penalty when the defender used his hand to stop Sanchez’s pass inside his own area before returning the ball to the ‘keeper.

Sanchez appeared not to have restarted play, instead letting Chalobah take the goal-kick so Burnley’s hopes of a penalty were dashed.

Maresca’s men made the most of that let-off to take the lead with a well-crafted goal in the 37th minute.

Marc Cucurella showed a deft touch to control a high ball into the Burnley area before passing back to Gittens.

Lofting a pin-point cross to the far post, Gittens picked out Neto and he delivered with a superb diving header into the far corner.

Neto’s fourth goal this season was almost followed by another for Chelsea as Liam Delap’s drive forced a save from Martin Dubravka.

Gittens’ deflected strike flashed just wide early in the second half.

Neto, picked out by Fernandez’s pass, was inches away from doubling Chelsea’s lead as his fierce blast cannoned into the near post.

Unmarked inside the Chelsea area, Zian Flemming wasted Burnley’s best opportunity to snatch an equaliser with a wild shot that cleared the bar.

But Fernandez put the result beyond doubt in the 88th minute, capping a flowing move with a clinical close-range finish from Marc Guiu’s pass.

READ: Taijul Islam breaks Shakib Al Hasan’s record during Ireland Test

BURNLEY: Premier League Club Burnley announced on Friday they had sacked long-serving manager Sean Dyche with eight games of the Premier League season remaining.

The Clarets are 18th in the English top-flight four points adrift of safety after just four league wins all season.

“Results this season have been disappointing and, while this was an incredibly difficult decision, with eight crucial games of the campaign remaining, we feel a change is needed to give the squad the best possible chance of retaining its Premier League status,” chairman Alan Pace said in a club statement.

Pace said he wanted to “place on record our sincere thanks to Sean and his staff for their achievements at the club over the last decade”.

The 50-year-old Dyche, who signed a new contract due to run until 2025 in September, had been the longest-serving manager of any club in the Premier League, having taken charge in October 2012.

He twice led the Clarets to promotion from the Championship and brought European football to Turf Moor in 2018 despite a limited budget, but his side has been in the bottom three virtually all season and last week’s 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Norwich was a major setback in their survival bid.

Pace, whose ALK Capital group took over at Turf Moor in December 2020, said club captain Ben Mee would be part of the coaching staff for Sunday’s trip to West Ham.

Burnley have 24 points after 30 games, four behind Frank Lampard’s Everton, who are in 17th place.

READ: Zverev beats Busta, Sinner Rallies Past Rublev to set Quarter-Final clash