BURNLEY took another step towards European football thanks to Matej Vydra’s first goal in 17 months – and it was well worth the wait.
The Czech striker, 27, came off the bench to score a stunning winner at Southampton on the hour mark, chesting the ball down, touching it away from the defender and firing into the back of the net.
Matej Vydra smashed in his first goal since September 2018 to give Burnley victory over SouthamptonCredit: Rex Features
The Clarets moved within five points of Sheffield United who currently occupy the final Champions League spotCredit: Reuters
Ashley Westwood opened the scoring in bizarre circumstances with just 90 seconds played, netting directly from a corner – with Danny Ings allowing the ball to drift past him and into the goal.
The on-fire forward made amends shortly after by fizzing in his 15th Premier League goal of the season but Vydra’s spectacular winner moved the Clarets within five points of fifth-placed Sheffield United, with that position now ensuring Champions League qualification.
Burnley and Westwood enjoyed the perfect start thanks to some comical defending from Southampton.
The midfielder whipped in his low cross from the left towards the front post.
It appeared to be a simple delivery for Ings to deal with as he guarded the six-yard box.
But the striker inexplicably jumped out of the way of the ball, allowing it to sail past him.
Presumably former Clarets man Ings thought it was curling out for a goal kick but Storm Dennis played its part in the gusty conditions on the south coast.
As Ings turned, he saw the ball bounce into the goal, coming back off Alex McCarthy’s chest – but the Saints goalkeeper was standing BEHIND the line.
Ben Mee smashed in the rebound anyway but the goal was given to Westwood after his freak finish.
Unsurprisingly, Twitter fans found the goal hilarious.
One joked: “Danny Ings probably had Westwood in his FPL team.”
Another asked: “What’s the keeper doing in his net?”
A third added: “Ings still a Burnley lad a heart I see,” just minutes before the striker made amends with his powerful equaliser at St Mary’s on 18 minutes.
The in-form forward picked up the ball on the edge of the box and got it out of his feet before finishing into the bottom corner past Nick Pope – only Jamie Vardy and Sergio Aguero have scored more top-flight goals than Ings this season.
But it was Sean Dyche and his Burnley battlers that will head back up north delighted thanks to Vydra’s moment of magic.
His last goal came on September 22, 2018 in a 4-0 win over Bournemouth but he blew away the cobwebs and the Southampton defenders with a lethal finish, despite losing his footing as he struck goalwards.
Ashley Westwood’s corner looked to cause no trouble as it headed towards Danny IngsCredit: BT Sport
The Southampton man decided not to clear it away, though, and it continued goalwardsCredit: BT Sport
The ball then bounced over the line before bouncing back off Alex McCarthyCredit: BT Sport
Ings made amends for his early error by finding the bottom corner to equalise with 18 minutes playedCredit: Reuters
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
