A goalless draw at The Hawthorns saw both West Bromwich Albion and Burnley continue their recent struggles in front of goal. The Baggies had scored just two goals in their last six games, while Burnley had mustered only four in their previous seven. This lack of clinical finishing was evident in the first half, with both sides failing to create clear-cut chances and the game lacking any real quality in the final third.
One of the few moments of excitement came on 27 minutes when a loose pass from John Swift allowed Jeremy Sarmiento to break through on goal. However, his shot lacked power and was easily saved by Alex Palmer.
Burnley thought they had snatched the lead just before the hour mark when Anthony headed in at the far post. However, the referee controversially ruled the goal out, deeming that Anthony had pushed Callum Styles in the back before heading the ball. While replays showed it was a very soft foul, the decision left Burnley boss Scott Parker understandably frustrated.
“I’ve watched it back and it was a goal from my point of view,” said Parker. “It’s disappointing obviously that the referee has decided to give that decision. There is a little hand, but nothing that’s influenced the player too much. I don’t want to get too involved in it, but it’s a legitimate goal and it’s gone against us today. Overall, the performance was a lot more positive today than where it has been.”
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, however, saw things differently, stating: “From my point of view from the bench, it was a foul. In general, as a team, we were good in the first half and we created some opportunities. In the second half, they were better than us until the last third of it. They were more compact than us, and we struggled to create chances.”
The result leaves Burnley in fourth place in the Championship, two points behind Sheffield United in second. West Brom are two points further back in fifth. With both teams failing to secure a victory, their pursuit of automatic promotion remains challenging.
This game highlighted the importance of clinical finishing in the Championship, a lesson both teams will have to learn if they are to achieve their ambitions for the season.
