Watford 1-2 Burnley: Two late goals lift Clarets five points clear of relegation zone

Burnley scored twice in the final seven minutes to complete a dramatic comeback that pulled them five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and left hosts Watford on the brink of the drop.

Jack Cork's diving header from Charlie Taylor's left-wing cross cancelled out James Tarkowski's early own goal, before Josh Brownhill found the bottom corner from the edge of the box to spark jubilant scenes among the travelling fans and in the away dugout at Vicarage Road.

Watford had taken a deserved early lead when Juraj Kucka's fierce effort struck the crossbar before rebounding off the unfortunate Tarkowski and into the unguarded net.

The Hornets carried the greater threat in the first half, Kiko Femenia striking the near post from an inswinging corner and Joao Pedro blazing over the crossbar after escaping the Clarets defence.

Aaron Lennon and Ashley Barnes forced fine saves out of Ben Foster in the second half, but there was little the veteran goalkeeper could do about either of the visitors' late goals, which came in the space of three minutes and stretched Mike Jackson's unbeaten start as Clarets caretaker manager to four matches.

The Hornets' 11th consecutive home defeat leaves them 12 points adrift of Burnley and Leeds - who play Manchester City later on Saturday - with only four games remaining.

Late fightback continues Clarets' resurgence

Before Saturday, the only side in the top four tiers of English football to have lost more than 10 consecutive home league games were Rochdale, who suffered 14 straight defeats in Division Three North between 1931 and 1932.

It was all going so well for Watford, who were full of energy in the early stages and could have added to Tarkowski's own goal.

Burnley's captain had to fling himself in the way of another Kucka strike minutes after putting into his own net, before the returning Joao Pedro blazed over.

The visitors thought they had won a penalty when Dwight McNeil's heels were clipped by Moussa Sissoko. However, the Frenchman's challenge was deemed to be outside the box and McNeil struck the subsequent free-kick straight into the Hornets wall.

Watford continued to carry the greater threat, with Emmanuel Dennis forcing Nick Pope into a smart save at his near post following yet another Tarkowski deflection.

Burnley improved after the interval and a lapse in concentration early in the second half from Ismaila Sarr almost gifted Lennon an equaliser, but Foster produced a fine save low to his left to snuff out the danger.

The home side had opportunities to add to their lead on the counter-attack, but a combination of poor passing and wasteful finishing set up a nervous finish as Burnley slowly turned the screw.

Foster managed to tip Barnes' powerful header on to the crossbar, but the warning went unheeded as Cork's header restored parity with seven minutes remaining.

Brownhill completed the turnaround three minutes later, guiding a right-footed strike into the bottom corner after Watford had failed to properly clear McNeil's free-kick.

This is the first time Burnley have won three Premier League games in a row since 2019, while Jackson also becomes the first manager to stay unbeaten in his first four top-flight matches in charge of the Clarets.

The last manager not to lose any of their first four league games with the club was Owen Coyle in 2007.

Player of the match

LowtonMatthew Lowton

Burnley

Squad number2Player nameLowton

Squad number16Player nameStephens

Squad number10Player nameBarnes

Squad number1Player namePope

Squad number8Player nameBrownhill

Squad number4Player nameCork

Squad number11Player nameMcNeil

Squad number22Player nameCollins

Squad number3Player nameTaylor

Squad number9Player nameWeghorst

Squad number17Player nameLennon

Squad number14Player nameRoberts

Squad number27Player nameVydra

Squad number5Player nameTarkowski

Line-ups

Watford

Formation 4-3-3

1Foster

21Femenía27Kabasele22Samir14Kamara

19Sissoko6Louza33Kucka

23Sarr10João Pedro25Dennis

Substitutes

Burnley

Formation 4-4-2

1Pope

14Roberts22Collins5Tarkowski3Taylor

11McNeil4Cork8Brownhill17Lennon

27Vydra9Weghorst

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Watford 1, Burnley 2.

Second Half ends, Watford 1, Burnley 2.

Attempt missed. Imrân Louza (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by João Pedro with a cross.

Substitution, Burnley. Dale Stephens replaces Matej Vydra.

Nathan Collins (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Foul by Nathan Collins (Burnley).

Moussa Sissoko (Watford) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Attempt missed. Ashley Barnes (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

Substitution, Burnley. Matthew Lowton replaces Aaron Lennon.

Attempt missed. Juraj Kucka (Watford) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ismaïla Sarr with a cross.

Attempt saved. Matej Vydra (Burnley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.

Juraj Kucka (Watford) is shown the yellow card.

Goal! Watford 1, Burnley 2. Josh Brownhill (Burnley) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matej Vydra following a set piece situation.

Ashley Barnes (Burnley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Imrân Louza (Watford).

Goal! Watford 1, Burnley 1. Jack Cork (Burnley) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Charlie Taylor with a cross.

Attempt missed. Juraj Kucka (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

Aaron Lennon (Burnley) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Juraj Kucka (Watford).

Attempt blocked. Josh Brownhill (Burnley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

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