Match ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0.
Burnley secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 13 months as skipper Ben Mee scored the only goal to beat Tottenham at a rain-lashed Turf Moor.
Mee rose above Cristian Romero to meet Josh Brownhill's 71st-minute far-post free-kick perfectly and send it back past Hugo Lloris and into the far corner.
It secured a victory that takes Burnley to within two points of safety given their better goal difference - and within striking distance of three of the four sides immediately above them, given Sean Dyche's side still have games in hand.
Burnley could even afford Jay Rodriguez to miss a glorious chance to wrap up victory seven minutes from time when he turned the ball over from three yards with the goal at his mercy.
But this was a bitterly disappointing night for top-four chasing Tottenham, who were a shadow of the side that won at leaders Manchester City on Saturday.
After a tepid opening period, skipper Harry Kane hinted at better when he headed against the bar at the start of the second half.
Dejan Kulusevski went close just before Burnley's opener, with Nick Pope saving from Steven Bergwijn in the visitors' desperate search for an equaliser.
"We've not been far away all season," said Dyche. "We are beginning to get the details right. People are ready to play and taking on the challenge.
"I believe in the players. When we are right we can compete with everyone - statistically we are strong during the second half of the season."
Terrible conditions
After the half-time whistle blew, the TV cameras panned to Spurs boss Antonio Conte.
The Italian was walking down the touchline to the dressing room. His dark blue cap, pulled tight onto his head, was soaked - and his dark blue coat the same. Head down, Conte strode on.
After the 45 minutes he had just watched, the polar opposite of Saturday's thrilling 3-2 win at Manchester City, he might have been tempted to march straight onto the team coach.
This game was supposed to be played in November, just before Covid-19 ripped through the Premier League fixture list, but was called off 45 minutes before kick-off after heavy snowfall.
The rematch survived inclement conditions but the rain contributed to an awful opening period in which there was just a single shot on target, from Burnley's Brownhill, that was easily saved by Lloris.
Rodrigo Bentancur gave an early example of the perils of a sodden surface, losing his footing as he turned to chase Brownhill and doing the splits. The Uruguayan was able to continue, although he was replaced at half-time.
With the wind howling as well, at one point Dwight McNeil literally kept hold of the ball until referee Graham Scott signalled for Burnley to take a free-kick. At the point he put it down, Brownhill immediately swept the ball towards the box, where it bounced straight out for a goal-kick.
Burnley's fighting spirit
The cameras were on Conte again at the final whistle, walking alone down the same touchline as Turf Moor celebrated a famous win.
The Italian suggested afterwards he might not be the right man for the job following a fourth defeat in five Premier League games that has left them eighth and seven points off a Champions League place.
It was only the second time in 13 meetings Burnley had beaten their opponents,
The previous occasion, exactly three years ago, triggered the collapse in form under Mauricio Pochettino that marked the start of the turmoil Tottenham are still to emerge from.
Their present problems were epitomised by Argentine defender Romero.
Since arriving in August for £42.5m from Atalanta, Romero is clearly a promising talent.
He can carry the ball forward, has pace, is not afraid to threaten the opposition box and, judging by the way he eased Wout Weghorst off the ball as he threatened to run into the box onto a McNeil pass, evidently has strength.
But Romero got caught under the ball by Mee, who then had a clear sight of goal for the winner.
In contrast, Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski lacks Romero's finesse but has all the experience and nous needed.
He marshalled the troops when Tottenham had their best spell at the start of the second half, making blocks and interceptions and delivering the odd verbal volley when required.
It is that battling spirit that gives Burnley a chance of getting out of relegation trouble - and there are teams less well equipped above them who will be starting to get very nervous.
Player of the match
WeghorstWout Weghorst
Burnley
Avg
- Squad number9Player nameWeghorstAverage rating
7.76
- Squad number10Player nameBarnesAverage rating
7.70
- Squad number8Player nameBrownhillAverage rating
7.61
- Squad number14Player nameRobertsAverage rating
7.47
- Squad number5Player nameTarkowskiAverage rating
7.42
- Squad number6Player nameMeeAverage rating
7.40
- Squad number19Player nameRodriguezAverage rating
7.37
- Squad number23Player namePietersAverage rating
7.35
- Squad number11Player nameMcNeilAverage rating
7.24
- Squad number4Player nameCorkAverage rating
7.20
- Squad number17Player nameLennonAverage rating
7.19
- Squad number1Player namePopeAverage rating
7.15
Tottenham Hotspur
Avg
- Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-minAverage rating
4.48
- Squad number10Player nameKaneAverage rating
4.14
- Squad number21Player nameKulusevskiAverage rating
4.06
- Squad number1Player nameLlorisAverage rating
4.05
- Squad number33Player nameDaviesAverage rating
3.93
- Squad number4Player nameRomeroAverage rating
3.82
- Squad number15Player nameDierAverage rating
3.81
- Squad number30Player nameBentancurAverage rating
3.76
- Squad number5Player nameHøjbjergAverage rating
3.70
- Squad number19Player nameRyan SessegnonAverage rating
3.69
- Squad number12Player nameEmerson RoyalAverage rating
3.43
- Squad number8Player nameWinksAverage rating
3.05
- Squad number27Player nameLucas MouraAverage rating
2.99
- Squad number23Player nameBergwijnAverage rating
2.64
Line-ups
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Pope
- 14Roberts
- 5Tarkowski
- 6Mee
- 23Pieters
- 17Lennon
- 4Cork
- 8Brownhill
- 11McNeil
- 9WeghorstSubstituted forBarnesat 89'minutes
- 19Rodriguez
Substitutes
- 2Lowton
- 10Barnes
- 13Hennessey
- 16Stephens
- 22Collins
- 26Bardsley
- 28Long
- 37Thomas
- 38Richardson
Tottenham
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Lloris
- 4Romero
- 15Dier
- 33Davies
- 12Emerson RoyalSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 65'minutes
- 30BentancurSubstituted forWinksat 45'minutes
- 5Højbjerg
- 19R SessegnonSubstituted forBergwijnat 79'minutes
- 21Kulusevski
- 7Son Heung-min
- 10Kane
Substitutes
- 2Doherty
- 3Reguilón
- 6D Sánchez
- 8Winks
- 14Rodon
- 23Bergwijn
- 27Lucas Moura
- 40Austin
- 44Scarlett
- Referee:
- Graham Scott
- Attendance:
- 19,488
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home34%
- Away66%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away2
- Corners
- Home3
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0.
Post update
Foul by Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur).
Post update
Connor Roberts (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jack Cork (Burnley).
Post update
Attempt missed. James Tarkowski (Burnley) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Josh Brownhill with a cross following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur).
Post update
Ashley Barnes (Burnley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Ashley Barnes replaces Wout Weghorst.
Post update
Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Wout Weghorst (Burnley).
Post update
Attempt saved. Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Son Heung-Min.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josh Brownhill (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Connor Roberts.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Cristian Romero with a headed pass.
Post update
VAR Decision: No Penalty Tottenham Hotspur.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jay Rodriguez (Burnley) right footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ben Mee following a corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ben Mee (Burnley) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Jack Cork following a corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ben Mee (Burnley) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Ben Davies.
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Comments
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But when all's said and done,
"Lads, It's Tottenham" and normal service has resumed.
N5
From a Wolves fan
Loving ya tonight.
🏀
Congrats to Burnley!
After the Bottlers' match of the century against Man City, they just couldn't hack it at Turf Moor.
But the deluded spuds "fans" will still be all too happy with their massive 3 points in the last 5 games.
How SPURSY!
No detriment to Burnley, you boys look like you have the bit between your teeth - keep it going lads!
Still, draw the game in hand and Spurs will be back in the prized Europa Conference spot.
Hope you stay up and keep upsetting the "big 6" lot
The Joke Club in London
All of Wolverhampton