Burnley defeat Oxford to move into Championship top two

Burnley climbed back into the Championship’s automatic promotion spots with a 1-0 victory over Oxford United at Turf Moor, extending their unbeaten league streak to 18 matches. 

The breakthrough came just after the half-hour mark when Oxford defender Michal Helik inadvertently turned Josh Cullen’s cross into his own net.

Greg Leigh had Oxford’s best chance to equalize before halftime, while goalkeeper Jamie Cummings made three crucial saves late on to prevent Burnley from doubling their lead.

The win sees Scott Parker’s side move ahead of Sheffield United into second place on goal difference and within two points of leaders Leeds United, though Burnley have played one game more than both rivals.

For Gary Rowett, it marked his first defeat as Oxford boss after an impressive nine-match unbeaten run, leaving the U’s in 16th place.

Burnley’s defensive dominance continued with their ninth consecutive clean sheet and 22nd of the season from 31 matches, as Oxford failed to register a shot on target.

While Burnley’s attack had been under scrutiny following a series of goalless draws, their early pressure created opportunities for an opener. Zian Flemming missed from eight yards, and Lyle Foster narrowly sent a shot wide after a clever backheel from Flemming set him up.

Cummings recovered from an earlier mistake with a brilliant one-handed save to deny Flemming, while Helik blocked Foster’s goal-bound effort.

Despite being pinned back for much of the first half, Oxford almost leveled immediately after the own goal, with Leigh heading narrowly wide from Helik’s knockdown.

Burnley adopted a more conservative approach in the second half, allowing Oxford to show greater attacking intent, though they failed to trouble James Trafford in the Burnley goal.

The Clarets came close to a second late on, with Cummings twice denying Foster and making an excellent save to parry Jeremy Sarmiento’s powerful 25-yard strike.