MATCH REPORT: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 – 1 BURNLEY

Relegation confirmed, battling Burnley beaten after taking an early lead at Spurs

Despite taking the lead on a red hot day in London, Spurs bounced back to condemn Burnley to relegation back to the Championship.

Burnley made one change to their starting line up from the defeat against Newcastle United. Charlie Taylor returning in place of Josh Brownhill.

Tottenham made three changes from their loss at Liverpool. Skipp, Kulusevski and Maddison replacing Porro, Royal and Bentacur.

The first chance fell early for Spurs when Son played James Maddison through to the edge of the box. His shot blocked by Charlie Taylor.

Burnley were quick to head to the other end of the pitch. Wilson Odobert’s cross was met with a strong header by Vitinho but was brilliantly saved by Vicario and set the tone for some end to end action.

Brennan Johnson next up, forcing Aro Muric into another great stop at his near post.

All this within the first ten minutes of the match.

The game then started to settle down a little with both teams sharing possession, until on 25 minutes, Burnley burst into life again – with Jacob Bruun Larsen grabbing the opener!

Muric moving the ball into a lovely mazy run from Sander Berge, who bounced off Spurs efforts to stop him before threading a precision pass to the feet of Jacob Bruun Larsen.

The team’s leading goalscorer adding his 7th of the season, drilling the ball under the despairing dive of Vicario.

The lead lasted seven minutes.

Pedro Porro picked up the ball ten yards inside Burnley’s half, driving forward before smashing the ball past Muric, at an angle, from around twelve yards out.

The equaliser lifted the home side. Brennan Johnson wasting a good chance just moments later after a misplaced pass from Muric. The striker’s effort hitting the side netting.

Son had a long range effort, deflected by Berge over the bar, just before half time.

But there was still time for one more chance.

Wilson Odobert’s tenacity won the ball just inside his own half before threading it into the opposition’s for Lyle Foster to chase. As he reached the edge of the area, he crossed it to Bruun Larsen whose shot was well saved by the Spurs keeper.

Half time ending all level with plenty to think about at the break.

The second half started with some intense Spurs pressure.

The home side testing Burnley to their limits, but with the back line standing resolute to their efforts.

Then, it was Burnley’s turn to test the home defence.

Bruun Larsen floated a free kick into the penalty area and Spurs seemed stuck inside their own half, eventually conceding a corner.

Bruun Larsen again providing the ball in, Spurs only half clearing, Maxime Estéve’s looping header falling just over the bar.

This was another catalyst for the game to open up again.

Spurs charging down the other end, Maddison forcing another great save from Muric just before the hour mark.

After it seemed like Burnley were building up to an effort on Vicario’s goal, a momentary lapse of concentration allowed Sarr possession and a run on Muric’s.

Sander Berge taking one for the team, flooring Sarr, and picking up a yellow card.

With just under twenty minutes of normal time remaining, Manuel Benson came on for Vitinho. Moments later, Spurs made changes of their own. Bissouma, Kulusevski and Skipp making way for Bentacur, Scarlett and Dragusin.

The atmosphere inside the stadium lifted again.

Spurs were the first to try and take advantage as the pace picked up. Son sprinting down the left, his cross millimetres away from Johnson turning it home.

Muric’s penalty area then turned into something more akin to a pinball machine. Bodies being thrown into everything Spurs were throwing before succumbing to a sucker punch.

Micky van de Ven’s shot, just outside the area, beating Muric and finding the bottom corner of the goal with just eight minutes left on the clock.

Despite further efforts, it was a bridge too far.

With the travelling Burnley fans continuing to sing their hearts out, Jarred Gillett’s full time whistle confirmed the end of the game and Burnley’s relegation to the Championship.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Skipp (Dragusin 75), Bissouma (Bentacur 75), Sarr (Højbjerg 88), Maddison (Lo Celso 88), Kulusevski (Scarlett 75), Son, Johnson

Subs: Austin, Gil, Royal, Moore

Burnley: Muric, Assignon, O’Shea, Estéve, Taylor, Cullen (Amdouni 88), Berge, Bruun Larsen (Trésor 81), Odobert, Vitinho (Benson 72), Foster (Fofana 87)

Subs: Trafford, Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Rodriguez, Ekdal

Goals: Bruun Larsen 25’, Porro 32’, van de Ven 83′