Dele Alli’s 50th Premier League goal earned Tottenham a point from their trip to Burnley.
The Clarets took a deserved first-half lead when Chris Wood tapped home the rebound after Hugo Lloris had spilled Jay Rodriguez’s long-range shot.
At that stage, Jose Mourinho’s side looked completely out of sorts but the half-time introduction of Lucas Moura and Giovani lo Celso sparked the visitors.
It was Lo Celso’s superb through ball that forced a rash challenge on Eric Lamela by Ben Mee and Alli scored from the penalty spot.
Burnley’s players believed they should have had a penalty minutes later when Davinson Sanchez made a strong challenge on Wood, but nothing was given.
In a frantic finish, Lo Celso almost scored with a curling 20-yard effort before Lloris denied Matej Vydra from point-blank range.
The result means Tottenham have now gone five games without a win in all competitions – their worst run since they went seven without a victory in the autumn of 2016.
Tottenham’s top four struggle
Dele’s goal was his first in nine matches in all competitions.
The England man was used as a central striker by boss Jose Mourinho, who is trying to find a solution to the lack of striking options at his disposal following the injuries to Harry Kane and Son-Heung min.
Dele looked more of a threat once Mourinho changed the shape of his side at the break but he lacks the physical presence to unsettle Burnley’s defensive pair Mee and James Tarkowski. Mee in particular was a commanding presence once Tottenham sorted themselves out after the break and ensured goalkeeper Nick Pope was not truly tested.
The result leaves Tottenham four points behind Chelsea, having played a game more. Unless there is a swift reversal of fortunes, their four-year run of top four finishes will come to an end this season.
Dier in the spotlight
Predictably, Eric Dier strode into Turf Moor without a word, which was a wise choice given he still has the possibility of an FA charge hanging over him following his confrontation in the stands after Tottenham’s FA Cup defeat on Wednesday when he saw his brother involved in an argument.
Just as he promised, Mourinho picked the England man, who slotted into the middle of a three-man central defence that also included Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez.
Equally predictable were the Burnley fans’ unsavoury chants against him, or more accurately, his brother. Before and afterwards, the Tottenham fans sang in support of the 26-year-old.
It was just Dier’s luck that when he really wanted a quiet game, it was his clearance that resulted in Burnley’s first-half goal.
In fairness, Dwight McNeil’s cross had to be cleared. Sadly for Dier, it went straight to Rodriguez, allowing the Burnley striker to get enough power into his first-time shot to make it awkward for Lloris, who gifted Wood his goal.
Dier’s evening did improve, particularly after Mourinho’s double change at half-time, which involved moving him into central midfield. Had it not been for Dier’s superbly-timed tackle on Burnley substitute Vydra, Tottenham may well not have come away with anything from the game.
Dyche’s VAR observations
Dyche used his programme notes to add his thoughts to the general debate about VAR.
The Burnley boss is evidently supportive, saying he is “convinced it will become more streamlined the more the powers-that-be get used to the technology”.
There will always be grey areas though. If Dwight McNeil’s cross had gone straight to Wood, any goal would have been disallowed because the ball struck the winger’s hand after a ricochet off Sanchez. However, because it was initially cleared the infringement did not count.
Burnley have nudged back into the top half of the table. Impressively, they have now extended an impressive run of 14 games unbeaten in Premier League matches where they have led at the break.
Man of the match – Ben Mee (Burnley)
Wood hits new heights – the stats
- This was the 100th league meeting between Burnley and Spurs; today’s tie was the 25th draw, with Spurs winning 39 games to Burnley’s 36.
- Only Liverpool (48) and Manchester City (32) have earned more points than Spurs since José Mourinho’s first game in charge in November (27 – tied with Wolves).
- Burnley have failed to win a Premier League game at Turf Moor despite scoring the opening goal for the first time since December 2018 vs Liverpool (1-3) – they had won 11 games in a row from such a position.
- There were nine yellow cards in this match – the joint-most in a single Premier League game this season (level with Arsenal v Chelsea in December).
- Dele Alli became the seventh player to reach 50 Premier League goals for Spurs – only Harry Kane (23 years 44 days) reached this milestone at a younger age for the club than Alli (23 years 331 days).
- Burnley defender Ben Mee has given away five penalties in the Premier League in his career, at least three more than any other Burnley player.
- Chris Wood has netted 11 league goals this season, his best-ever top-flight campaign. Wood is the third Burnley player to net more than 10 times in a Premier League campaign after Ashley Barnes last season (12) and Danny Ings in 2014-15 (11).
- Spurs boss José Mourinho has only faced Swansea City as many times in the Premier League without losing as he has Burnley (nine each).
What next?
Burnley’s next Premier League game is away at Manchester City on Saturday, 14 March (15:00 GMT). Tottenham entertain Manchester United the following day (16:30 GMT) but before that, they will try to overturn RB Leipzig’s one-goal first-leg advantage when they go to Germany for their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, 10 March (20:00 GMT).
Line-ups
Burnley
Substitutes
Tottenham
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burnley 1, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Eric Dier.
Attempt blocked. Chris Wood (Burnley) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Ben Mee (Burnley) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dwight McNeil with a cross.
Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Dele Alli.
Booking
Ashley Westwood (Burnley) is shown the yellow card.
Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Phil Bardsley (Burnley).
Booking
Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur).
Dwight McNeil (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ashley Westwood (Burnley).
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Aaron Lennon replaces Jeff Hendrick.
Attempt blocked. Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Giovani Lo Celso.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Chris Wood.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by James Tarkowski.
Attempt blocked. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Serge Aurier.
Attempt saved. Matej Vydra (Burnley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt blocked. Dwight McNeil (Burnley) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ben Mee (Burnley).
Attempt missed. Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Lucas Moura.
Attempt saved. Chris Wood (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Matej Vydra.
Attempt blocked. Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lucas Moura.
Attempt missed. Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Jack Cork.
Attempt blocked. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Steven Bergwijn.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by James Tarkowski (Burnley).
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Serge Aurier replaces Erik Lamela.
Booking
Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur).
Jeff Hendrick (Burnley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Chris Wood (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jeff Hendrick.
Booking
Jeff Hendrick (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Jeff Hendrick (Burnley).
Hand ball by Phil Bardsley (Burnley).
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