Still winless in the Premier League since the 2021-22 season kicked off, Burnley have welcomed the attacking spark provided by big-money signing Maxwel Cornet, but Sean Dyche’s side were once again undone at the back during a 2-2 draw with Southampton.
Cornet’s second strike – a peach of a half-volley taken first time – certainly caught the eye at St Mary’s after his opening header, but Valentino Livramento and Armando Broja struck either side of the half-time whistle for the hosts to extend Burnley’s barren run without three points.
The Clarets’ 4-1 thrashing of Rochdale in the last round of the EFL Cup – during which Jay Rodriguez struck a quartet of goals – represents the only encounter that Burnley have won over the course of 90 minutes this term, as Dyche’s side had to rely on penalties to get over the line against Newcastle in round two.
Victory over Rochdale represents Burnley’s only win from their last 16 attempts across all competitions at Turf Moor, and while a cup run may represent a small slice of success, Dyche will have bigger fish to fry in the Premier League should his team fail to convert draws into wins.
Not since the 2013-14 season have Burnley advanced past the fourth round of the EFL Cup – where West Ham United sent them packing in the last-16 – but their hopes of a memorable scalp over Tottenham are not unfounded given their opponents’ miserable fortunes.
Defeat to Vitesse in the Europa Conference League was expected to pale into insignificance against West Ham for Tottenham, with Santo electing to give his first-choice XI a complete break before the trip across the capital.
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However, such a move did not pay off for the Lilywhites as they slumped to another dampening defeat in a London derby – their fourth such defeat of the season – as Michail Antonio met Aaron Cresswell’s corner to guide the ball home for the winner in the 72nd minute of the contest.
Santo’s reunion with Wolves in the EFL Cup was also a frustrating affair as his side threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 after 90 minutes, but his side held their nerve from the spot to advance to the last-16 for just the third time in seven seasons.
With three defeats posted from their last four away games in all competitions, questions continue to be raised over the appointment of Santo to the hotseat, and it is now seven games without a clean sheet away from home for the under-performing North London club
