Blackburn hold on for point in fiery derby clash against Burnley

Posted Saturday, August 31, 2024 by PA

Ten-man Blackburn held off the challenge of a dominant Burnley side to grab a point in a fiery east Lancashire derby which finished 1-1 at Turf Moor.

The hosts enjoyed the bulk of possession and the better chances on an afternoon when Rovers striker Makhtar Gueye saw red for a second bookable offence for brandishing an imaginary yellow card.

But while they played more than half an hour a man down the scores remained level, Andreas Weimann cancelling out Lyle Foster’s first half header with a brilliant long range strike.

Foster put the hosts ahead on 10 minutes as Burnley dominated the first period, heading home from the penalty spot from Jaidon Anthony’s cross from the left.

With 23 minutes on the clock Weimann equalised with his third goal of the season, beating Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford from distance with a long-range effort which dipped into the far corner from 25 yards.

This was a hard fought encounter befitting the rivalry of these two Lancashire rivals who last met when Burnley clinched the Championship title at Ewood Park just over a year ago.

Referee Tony Harrington waved his yellow card six times at Rovers players and three times at Burnley players.

Yet it was the second yellow shown to Gueye – the striker encouraging the referee to book Maxime Esteve following a foul – that sparked the strong rear-guard effort from Rovers which saw them gain a point.

A point will feel like two dropped for Burnley after they dominated a game in which Rovers had very few realistic chances.

Given they were forced to play 33 minutes of the second half a man down, the home side will leave the happier of the two sides.