Burnley increased their faint chances of Premier League survival with a tense win over a 10-man Brentford side at Turf Moor.
Jacob Bruun Larsen’s early penalty marked a perfect beginning for the hosts, as the video assistant referee (VAR) deemed Sergio Reguilon’s challenge on Clarets winger Vitinho a professional foul, resulting in a straight red card for the Tottenham loanee.
Dara O’Shea’s misplaced backpass nearly gifted Brentford an equalizer, but Arijanet Muric, making his Premier League debut in place of regular goalkeeper James Trafford, made a crucial clearance to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
David Datro Fofana squandered a golden opportunity just before halftime, inexplicably sending his shot wide after being set up by Lorenz Assignon. However, the Chelsea loanee redeemed himself midway through the second half, confidently finishing past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken after receiving a pass from Wilson Odobert to extend Burnley’s lead.
Wilson Odobert missed a chance to make it 3-0, and Kristoffer Ajer’s late header gave Brentford a glimmer of hope.
In added time, the visitors thought they had secured an unlikely equalizer when Shandon Baptiste’s cross evaded Muric and found the net, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Ivan Toney on the Burnley keeper.
With their second home victory of the season, Burnley now find themselves eight points adrift of safety with nine matches remaining, while Brentford sit four points clear of the relegation zone.