The curse is over, the long, painful run at an end. Burnley were awarded a penalty on Saturday for the first time in 68 games. Only two clubs have ever suffered a longer wait in the history of this division.
It came deep into stoppage time, it came via the nuisance of debutant Peter Crouch. Burnley were staring at defeat, thanks to Nathan Redmond’s earlier thump, but equalled a club-record six games unbeaten in the Premier League.
But the penalty. Sean Dyche could not believe his eyes. They had been denied a stonewall spot-kick in the first half when Ashley Barnes was felled by Alex McCarthy and then inexplicably cautioned. It looked very much like they would edge closer to the 72 matches without one recorded by Queens Park Rangers in 1995.
Ashley Barnes celebrates after converting a late penalty to earn Burnley a draw against relegation rivals Southampton
Ashley Barnes strikes the ball into the net to earn Burnley a valuable point
Southampton conceded the penalty after Jack Stephens handled the ball under pressure from Burnley's Peter Crouch
Nathan Redmond celebrates with Matty Targett after giving Southampton the lead against Burnley
Redmond fires beyond Burnley keeper Tom Heaton in the relegation battle at Turf Moor
BURNLEY: Heaton, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Hendrick (Gudmundsson 59), Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Barnes, Wood (Crouch 77).
Subs not used: Hart, Brady, Gibson, Ward, Vydra.
Scorers: Barnes (93)
Booked: Bardsley, Mee, Barnes
Manager: Sean Dyche
SOUTHAMPTON: McCarthy, Stephens, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Targett, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Slattery, Armstrong (Valery 77), Redmond (Austin 87), Ings (Long 27).
Subs not used: Gunn, Jones, Sims, Elyounoussi.
Scorers: Redmond (57)
Booked: Targett
Manager: Ralph Hasenhuttl
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 19,787
Nathan Redmond (22) scores from range to put Southampton in the lead against Burnley
Anthony Taylor eventually pointed for one, though. A long ball into the box, Crouch wrestled with Jack Stephens and the Southampton defender handled. Barnes, who could have left with a hat-trick, rolled in the penalty.
Burnley now head for Brighton next week in search of their longest-ever unbeaten run and ridden of the penalty curse, both turned on their head just before full-time. Funny game, football.
There is often a feeling that the world is against Burnley and that undoubtedly amplified on Saturday. Dyche headed for the tunnel at half-time
