Romero’s Late Leveler Rescues Spurs at Burnley

At a glance

• Micky van de Ven’s powerful finish puts Spurs ahead after 38 minutes
• Axel Tuanzebe levels for The Clarets when he turned home Kyle Walker’s cross in first-half stoppage time
• Substitute Lyle Foster puts Burnley ahead after a goalmouth scramble 14 minutes from time
• Spurs captain Cristian Romero puts Thomas Frank’s side back on terms with a powerful 89th minute header

Cristian Romero rescued a point for Tottenham Hotspur late on just as under-pressure head coach Thomas Frank faced further embarrassment against struggling Burnley at Turf Moor.

Burnley were on the brink of recording their first Premier League win in 14 games at Turf Moor until captain Romero powered home an 89th-minute header.

Frank, whose position has been under internal scrutiny at Spurs, bought time with a midweek Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund, but it remains to be seen if this draw makes his position any more secure.

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was outstanding with a string of fine saves, but the manner in which Spurs threatened to subside against Scott Parker’s struggling side left Frank facing the fury of his own fans once more.

Spurs were on top in a scrappy first half, finally taking the lead after 38 minutes following a spell of pressure that pushed a passive, tentative Burnley back.

Dubravka punched the air in defiant celebration after a superb double save from Wilson Odobert and Conor Gallagher, but was powerless when Van de Ven pounced to flash home a powerful finish.

It was no more than Frank’s side deserved, but Spurs then switched off at the back in first-half stoppage time, allowing Axel Tuanzebe to sweep home Kyle Walker’s cross.

Dubravka kept Spurs at bay, blocking Dominic Solanke’s header from Xavi Simons’ cross before diving to turn away Djed Spence’s long-range effort.

Burnley then stunned Spurs by taking the lead 14 minutes from time, subsitute Lyle Foster scrambling home after his first effort had been saved by Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Spurs poured forward, the heroic Dubravka saving magnificently from Mathys Tel’s header and Simons hitting the bar before Romero struck.

Burnley analysis: Missed chance for Parker’s strugglers

Burnley manager Scott Parker looked downcast as he made his way off at the final whistle, the opportunity of a rare victory snatched away in the closing moments.

In a match of dubious quality, The Clarets’ passive approach and lack of conviction allowed Spurs to dominate – without ever looking fluent – until they were thrown a lifeline with Tuanzebe’s equaliser at the end of the first half.

It left Burnley contemplating three points until Romero’s last-gasp intervention left them feeling a big opportunity had passed them by.

Spurs analysis: Frank faces fan fury once more

Spurs head coach Frank was grateful for the point Romero’s header gave his side – but it did not spare him another furious reaction from the travelling fans.

“Sacked in the morning” rang out from the visiting section of Turf Moor – along with other more unprintable chants – as Frank and his players made their way towards the dressing room.

The level of discontent surely makes Frank’s situation unsustainable after they failed to finish off a Burnley team who increasingly look like prime relegation candidates.

Spurs should have won this game, only to run into a formidable barrier of defiance in the shape of Burnley keeper Dubravka.

Instead, they were left desperately chasing an equaliser that gave them the scant consolation of a point, although Spurs fans did not seem to be consoled by it.

Spurs now have only two wins in their past 14 Premier League games – but there is the good news that a win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday puts them straight through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

In this game, however, there was little to cheer.

Average rating7.49

Source: BBC