Burnley, England Feb 24 (BNA): A 71st minute header from Ben Mee awarded Burnley a surprising 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on Wednesday, boosting their hopes of survival in the Premier League.
Mee beat Christian Romero in the air in the back post to make the Clarets his third win of the season and first consecutive wins in 13 months by heading a free kick from Josh Brownhill.
Harry Kane headed the crossbar for Spurs shortly after the break but Spurs, who beat league leaders Manchester City on Saturday, were unable to find a way to get past Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Burnley remains inside the relegation zone, but climbed to 18th place with 20 points, two points behind Newcastle United and Everton, but with a match postponed from the previous one.
Coach Sean Daichi’s side enjoyed a 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday and it looks like the Lancashire side must rediscover the defensive solidity and determination that ensured their survival in previous seasons.
The hosts had the best performance in the first half but were unable to create real openings in front of the Spurs defense that looked far from resting.
Tottenham coach Antonio Conte brought on Harry Winks in the first half and the visitors made a stronger start in the second half as Kane headed a free kick into the crossbar.
Bob made a good reaction to block Ben Davies from close range but Burnley quickly caused problems for the visitors.
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a brilliant save to keep Jay Rodriguez’s header after a superb cross from Dwight McNeill, who caused problems on the left flank throughout the evening.
Dejan Kulusevsky had the chance for Spurs, drifting with a shot off Bob’s right corner after a counter-attack in the 70th minute.
But then Mee, who was dominant in central defense for Burnley, showed his worth at the other end with a good header and sent wet and stormy ground into ecstatic celebrations.
Rodriguez should have made sure of the win, seven minutes from the end, but he somehow looked from four metres and his heart was definitely in his mouth when he parried out substitute Steven Bergwijn’s Bob in the final minutes.
With this result, Tottenham occupy eighth place with 39 points, seven points behind Manchester United, who is fourth, but with two matches postponed.