Burnley halt seven-match losing run with late draw at Bournemouth

Burnley substitute Armando Broja headed in a last-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth which ended the visitors’ seven-match Premier League losing run.

Bournemouth had been in charge of the contest and looked on course for a home victory at the Vitality Stadium when Antoine Semenyo picked out the bottom corner with a fine finish to capitalise on an untimely slip from Josh Laurent in the 67th minute.

Burnley previously had a first-half goal disallowed, with Laurent involved again, as he was in an offside position before teeing up Jaidon Anthony.

But the visitors had otherwise barely threatened, and Bournemouth were made to rue their many missed chances when Broja came off the bench to score his first goal for Burnley and halt their troubling run of defeats.

After grabbing a draw against one of his former clubs, Scott Parker's side remain 19th but move to within five points of 17th-placed Leeds United. Meanwhile Bournemouth, who are now without a win in eight top-flight matches, drop down to 14th place on 22 points.

How the match unfolded

Bournemouth started brightly without testing Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, with David Brooks flashing an early shot across the face of goal and curling another effort just wide after a lovely one-two with Evanilson.

Justin Kluivert bent a long-range shot just wide shortly after, with Semenyo then doing the same after cutting inside from the left.

However, Burnley thought they had snatched the lead in their first meaningful attack as Laurent’s squared pass was turned into the bottom-right corner by an unmarked Anthony, but the offside flag was up.

Brooks continued to provide the biggest threat after the break and should have opened the scoring when he met Marcos Senesi’s looping pass on the half volley, but he blazed over, while Semenyo was off target from another presentable opportunity.

But Semenyo then scored with what was the first shot on target of the match, pouncing on a loose ball at the edge of the box as Laurent hit the floor and clinically picking out the bottom-right corner.

That goal sparked some life into Burnley, however, and Parker’s changes eventually told as Broja rose high to meet Marcus Edwards’ right-sided cross to flick his header into the bottom-left corner.

Semenyo’s golden touch not enough

Bournemouth ended their mini goal drought in style on Monday as they played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, but their scoring habits at home had left them open to questions.

The fans at the Vitality had not been able to cheer a goal in their last two home matches prior to Saturday, and that pattern looked set to continue in a first half of few chances.

Neither goalkeeper was tested before the break, but Dubravka should have been, with Brooks’ accuracy letting him down. Marcus Tavernier will also feel he could have done better after blazing a wild effort over.

More chances came and went in the second period, with Brooks the main offender as he saw some good openings go to waste, but Semenyo had been heavily involved throughout and ultimately secured the breakthrough. 

The goal continued his welcome return to Premier League form after his fine strike at Old Trafford, having gone seven top-flight games without a goal before Bournemouth’s trip to Manchester.

However, Bournemouth had no time to reply to Burnley’s late blow, and their frustrating wait for a first win since beating Nottingham Forest almost two months ago goes on.

The Cherries will aim to get back on track with a tough trip to Brentford on 27 December.

Broja stops the rot for Burnley

Having lost their last seven games, Burnley were looking to avoid suffering a run of eight straight defeats for the first time in the Premier League era.

With unwanted history on the line, Parker was hoping for some joy during a meeting with his former side, as, like Bournemouth, Burnley have not won in the Premier League since 26 October.

The losing run looked set to extend to eight after a lacklustre first half, as Burnley’s only shot of the opening period was Anthony’s disallowed goal, with Laurent not getting back onside quickly enough after playing his initial cross.

Burnley slowly grew in confidence as the second half went on, despite offering little attacking threat.

Parker’s focus was clearly at the other end of the pitch, and he managed to shore things up defensively, as it took an unfortunate slip and a moment of brilliance from Semenyo to breach their backline.

Burnley did not manage their first shot of the game until Lucas Pires’ blocked long-range effort in the 86th minute.

But Parker’s changes ultimately made the difference, with two substitutes combining for the goal.

After being set up by fellow sub Edwards, Broja will be relieved to get off the mark for Burnley in his 13th appearance in all competitions, as he also netted his first Premier League goal since October 2023, when he was still at Chelsea.

While it was not the win Parker would have wanted, Burnley have stopped their losing streak and will take momentum into their key home encounter against Everton next Saturday.

What the managers said

Andoni Iraola: "We were feeling like we were having the best chances but we didn't kill it. We are conceding a lot of set plays and it is a big punishment for us. We deserved to win.

"Burnley have been competitive in every game. We should be 2-0 up so if something like this happens it is just 2-1. We didn't kill the game in the moments we were playing better.

"This is the Premier League and you cannot have these mistakes defensively and offensively.

"The last part of the first half we started conceding some fouls, the game became a bit more messy. We became more aggressive of the ball, we dominated but it is just a point.

"Everything is costing us a lot. One point is better than losing, you have to value every point but we have to find a way to go to three points."

Scott Parker: "It’s a brilliant point for us. We needed to end the run we were on, the players were worthy of their point.

"We were really competitive and gave ourselves a fighting chance, and we were well worthy of the result in the end, I’m delighted for the subs who came on. It was a great cross from Marcus and a brilliant finish from Armando.

"They both made a massive contribution and I’m delighted for both of the lads, but overall I’m delighted for the group."

Club reports

Bournemouth report | Burnley report

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

Bournemouth remain winless in eight Premier League games (D4 L4), drawing each of their last three and conceding four of their last six goals in the competition after the 75th minute.

Burnley came from behind to avoid defeat in a Premier League away game for the first time since April 2024 against Man Utd (1-1).

Semenyo has scored eight Premier League goals this season - only Dominic Solanke (11 in 2023/24) has ever scored more before Christmas in a season in the competition for Bournemouth.

Broja scored his first Premier League goal for Burnley, his first since October 2023 for Chelsea against Fulham, 810 days ago, ending a run of 39 appearances without scoring in the competition.