Burnley have been left annoyed by a dogged Sunderland efficiency in a goalless draw that leaves the Championship leaders nonetheless needing eight factors to make sure of promotion.
That ought to nonetheless be a formality for the Clarets, with eight video games remaining and conferences with their closest rivals Middlesbrough and Sheffield United over the Easter weekend.
However, as his aspect recorded an 18th consecutive unbeaten league outing, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany was left to think about a uncommon evening the place his group lacked a innovative in assault towards the Black Cats.
Certainly, as Burnley edged a step nearer to a right away return to the Premier League underneath their first-year supervisor, they failed to attain in a sport at Turf Moor for the primary time since a defeat to Manchester Metropolis nearly precisely 12 months in the past.
With promotion all however assured, there was a scarcity of urgency in Burnley’s play and it was not till the 26th minute that the Sunderland objective was critically threatened for the primary time.
Burnley defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis scrambled a shot in the direction of objective which keeper Anthony Patterson did effectively to cease on his line.
Later within the first interval, as Burnley’s slick passing confirmed extra incision, veteran Ashley Barnes curled a left-foot shot simply over.
In response, Sunderland’s Patrick Roberts pressured Arijanet Muric into , full-length diving save after 30 minutes.
The ensuing nook ended on the ft of Dan Neil simply exterior the house space and his volley was comfortably held by Muric to proceed a run that had seen Burnley’s protection concede simply three objectives of their earlier 9 league video games earlier than Sunderland’s go to.
That kind helped Kompany’s aspect amass a run of 14 wins and three attracts since their final Championship defeat, at Sheffield United on November 5.
In distinction, Tony Mowbray’s guests have seen their play-off hopes broken with an detached run of kind however continued their resistance after the restart at Turf Moor when Roberts and Barnes once more had been thwarted.
In flip, that opened up alternatives for the guests and substitute Amad Diallo struck the crossbar, through a deflection off Josh Cullen, with just about his first contact after 68 minutes.
Jack Clarke additionally had the ball within the Burnley objective simply earlier than the ultimate whistle however the effort was dominated out for offside.
