Match ends, Blackburn Rovers 0, Burnley 1.
BlackburnBlackburn Rovers0BurnleyBurnley1
Scott Arfield's strike extended Burnley's unbeaten run in the east Lancashire derby to five games, sealing a 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers.
His second-half shot from the edge of the box settled it, coming against the run of play after Jordan Rhodes and Tom Lawrence had gone close for Rovers.
The home side were inches away from an equaliser when Craig Conway struck the crossbar late on.
Burnley moved up to third in the Championship with the three points.
There was controversy in each box, with penalty shouts for both clubs, as Clarets midfielder Joey Barton hit the turf before Lawrence was upended at the other end.
However, referee Keith Stroud kept the whistle away from his lips in a game which unusually for a derby had no cautions or dismissals.
In front of a near-20,000 crowd at Ewood Park the rivals began at pace in spiky fashion, although that slowed as tempers cooled.
Rovers' best chances fell to their front two of Rhodes, who scored in three of the last four against Burnley, and Lawrence, but both were denied by a combination of Tom Heaton and a lack of composure.
Andre Gray and Barton went close for the visitors, with the latter calling for a penalty when he went down, while Sam Vokes had a shot saved by Jason Steele.
After a goalless first period Conway proved a useful outlet for Rovers, who looked the brighter side and should have opened up a lead when Lawrence blazed over after neat interplay with Rhodes.
Rhodes then turned Michael Keane inside out but his tame effort was saved, and the miss was compounded when Burnley broke and the ball fell to Arfield to delight the 4,500 travelling fans with an unerring finish.
It stunned Gary Bowyer's side, and by the time they recovered time was against their search for a comeback goal.
Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer:
"It's a game we shouldn't have lost, quite simply. The number of chances that we created, the football we played, especially in the second half, we were dominant.
"Then we got done by a sucker punch of a wonder goal; it's hugely disappointing.
"In terms of the performance level, it was clear to see that we were the better team. It comes to the stage where you've got to win football matches and that's what it is about."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche:
"This is a division where you have to find different ways to win. Sometimes you can win by turning up and playing very well, sometimes you fight.
"Sometimes it's a moment of quality mixed with fight, which was today's performance. Blackburn, they've come and made a real go of it, and had the best chance of the game, if not (the best) two.
"There was a moment of luck today with a golden chance missed but we certainly found a way to win."
Line-ups
Blackburn
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 30Steele
- 10Marshall
- 22Duffy
- 5Hanley
- 14Olsson
- 7DelfounesoSubstituted forTaylorat 79'minutes
- 29Evans
- 21Akpan
- 32Conway
- 16Lawrence
- 11Rhodes
Substitutes
- 2Henley
- 3Spurr
- 4Kilgallon
- 17Williamson
- 18O'Sullivan
- 19Taylor
- 33Raya
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Heaton
- 27Darikwa
- 4Duff
- 5Keane
- 6Mee
- 21Boyd
- 14Jones
- 13Barton
- 37Arfield
- 9Vokes
- 7GraySubstituted forLongat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Lowton
- 11Kightly
- 15Taylor
- 18Hennings
- 22Gilks
- 23Ward
- 24Long
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 19,897
Match Stats
Home TeamBlackburnAway TeamBurnley
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home18
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away2
- Corners
- Home4
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackburn Rovers 0, Burnley 1.
Post update
Attempt saved. Hope Akpan (Blackburn Rovers) with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Craig Conway with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Tom Heaton.
Post update
Attempt saved. Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Tom Lawrence with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers).
Post update
Tom Heaton (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Craig Conway (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Joey Barton (Burnley).
Post update
Attempt missed. Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ben Marshall with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Craig Conway with a cross following a set piece situation.
Post update
Ben Marshall (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by David Jones (Burnley).
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Chris Long replaces Andre Gray.
Post update
Craig Conway (Blackburn Rovers) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Grant Hanley.
Post update
Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Andre Gray (Burnley).
Substitution
Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Chris Taylor replaces Nathan Delfouneso.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers).
Post update
Ben Mee (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
