Match Reports

Match Report : 06/05/2017

Albion, eighth, on 45 points from 35 matches

  • Sam Vokes pokes home at near post (56)
  • Salomon Rondon turns and fires leveller (65)
  • Craig Dawson heads home from corner (78)
  • Vokes nods in equaliser (86)
  • Attendance: 20,825
  • Albion Star Man: Craig Dawson
ALBION showed good spirit to pick up a point against Burnley in an topsy-turvy encounter at Turf Moor which finished 2-2.

After a goalless first period, the Baggies came from behind to lead the Clarets in the second half before Sean Dyche's men struck back late on to earn a share of the spoils.  

The result moves Tony Pulis' eighth-placed side on to 45 points from 35 matches.

Albion showed four changes from last time out - Marc Wilson handed his debut at left-back while there were also starts for captain Darren Fletcher, teenager Sam Field and wide man James McClean.

The visitors posed plenty of positive questions in the first quarter but it was Burnley who went closest as Sam Vokes forced Ben Foster to save with his feet.

With Albion down to 10 men as Jonny Evans received treatment, McClean made a superb last-ditch saving tackle to deny Scott Arfield a clear shot on goal - ensuring the first period finished goalless.

James Tarkowski headed narrowly over from a corner for the Clarets immediately after the restart and it was the home side who opened the scoring in the 56th minute.

Jake Livermore and Ashley Barnes tussled to the floor in the penalty area and, with both sets of players looking to referee Mike Jones, the Burnley man got up quickest to cross low for Vokes and he poked home at the near post.

Yet Albion levelled nine minutes later - McClean burst down the left and sent a ball across which found Salomon Rondon seven yards out. The Venezuelan turned and slammed home his first goal since mid-December to draw Albion level. 

Then Craig Dawson, who celebrated his 27th birthday, bravely headed home his side's second from a Chris Brunt corner in front of just under 2,500 delighted Baggies supporters, who took advantage of the club's free coach travel to Lancashire.

But it wasn't to be for the Baggies as Vokes struck for the second time in the 86th minute, looping a header over Foster.

Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans (Nyom 51), M Wilson (Yacob 88); Field (Morrison 54), Livermore; McClean, Fletcher (c), Brunt; Rondon.

Subs: Myhill; Chadli, Leko, K Wilson.

BOOKED: Marc Wilson (foul, 76), McAuley (foul, 85), Nyom (foul, 90+1)

Burnley: Heaton (c), Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward, Boyd (Brady 83), Westwood, Hendrick, Arfield (Berg Gudmundson 83), Vokes, Barnes (Gray 79).

Subs: Pope, Flanagan, Darikwa, Defour.

BOOKED: Barnes (foul, 58)

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)