Fulham came from behind to beat struggling Burnley 3-1 at Craven Cottage as Marco Silva’s side got back to winning ways to keep alive their hopes of European football next season.
There was early VAR controversy when Burnley striker Zian Flemming saw his goalbound effort strike Fulham defender Calvin Bassey’s hand from close range, only for the referee Chris Kavanagh to wave away the visitors’ penalty appeals.
The on-field call went to VAR Nicholas Hopton, who deciding the ball had hit Bassey’s supporting arm as he attempted to block the shot to disappoint Flemming, who also failed to beat Bernd Leno from five yards out as Burnley went in all square at the break.
Flemming made up for that bad miss, though, by firing the visitors ahead on the hour mark as the Clarets sensed a chance to move closer to safety, only for Fulham to immediately respond through Josh King – the 19-year-old’s first in the Premier League – albeit with some help from fumbling Burnley No 1 Martin Dubravka.
Raul Jimenez scores from the penalty spot to seal Fulham’s win against Burnley
And then you know who, Harry Wilson, turned the game on its head with his 10th league goal of a hugely impressive campaign, before substitute Raul Jimenez sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty that also saw Burnley defender Josh Laurent sent off.
The hard-fought win moves the Cottagers, who had failed to score in or win any of their previous three games in all competitions, up to eighth and still in the hunt for a European spot next season.
Zian Flemming celebrates after giving Burnley a second-half lead at Fulham
Burnley’s latest loss, though, means Scott Parker’s team have now won just one of their last 22 top-flight contests to stay nine points from safety, but with only seven games left to achieve their unlikeliest of great escapes.
What the managers said…
Fulham boss Marco Silva:
“It’s something really special for him [King]. He’s been working very hard. He’s a big talent and a top young player.
Harry Wilson celebrates after scoring give Fulham a 2-1 lead against Burnley
“It was a great second half from him. He scored and I hope – and I know – that will be the first of many.
“It was a very important win for us. It’s a massive three points for many reasons. A must-win for us.”
Burnley boss Scott Parker:
“I thought our general performance, up to probably 60 minutes, was very good.
“Probably the defining moment is obviously a slight mistake on our behalf and obviously they score. A rare mistake that is unlike Martin [Dubravka] – he’s pulled off some saves today as well and he’s pulled off saves throughout this year.
“So, not to be critical of that, but it was a bit of a blow. We didn’t manage to weather that and they scored again quickly.
Zian Flemming directs a diving header on goal at Craven Cottage
“Clearly it’s a tough challenge for us [to stay up] but there’s still games to play. I just said it in there, we don’t have a choice in what we do.
“Sometimes in life when you don’t have choices, they’re the best solution. At times this year we’ve fallen a little bit short, clearly.
“There’s one thing that we’ve not fallen short on – everything I ask of these boys when they step over the line, that full commitment in what has been a tough year for us.”