Burnley edged into the Championship’s top two on goal difference as Michal Helik’s first-half own goal gave Scott Parker’s side a 1-0 win over Oxford and his old Charlton team-mate Gary Rowett.
It extended the Clarets’ unbeaten run to 18 games and was a ninth straight clean sheet, but Burnley’s goalscoring struggles persisted against a side in the bottom half of the table, albeit one that arrived on a nine-game unbeaten run as Rowett has steered them away from trouble since taking over in December.
Turf Moor had witnessed three consecutive goalless draws before this and the home fans ironically chanted ‘We’ve scored a goal!’ – their first at home since December 21 – after taking the lead in the 33rd minute, even if it was actually Oxford who scored it for them.
Lyle Foster spotted the run of Josh Cullen into the box and the midfielder’s low cross was aimed at Zian Flemming but before it could reach him the unfortunate Helik turned it into his own net.
It was only Burnley’s 37th goal in 31 league games this season. But they were worthy of the lead and the win as, eight days after failing to register a shot on target at home against Leeds, they created more than enough chances to have made this much more comfortable.
Early on Jaidon Anthony mis-hit a shot from Hannibal Mejbri’s cross but the ball went straight to Flemming, who spooned his effort narrowly over.
They should have been ahead in the 12th minute when Flemming back-heeled Anthony’s cross to leave Foster with a clear sight of goal, but the South Africa forward somehow sent it wide.
Seconds later, Jamie Cumming took too long to clear and Foster closed him down to deflect the ball to Flemming, but the Oxford goalkeeper quickly atoned for his error as he pushed a powerful shot around the post.
Helik then hooked Foster’s shot away from goal before Josh Laurent sent a half-volley narrowly over.
Burnley’s goal roused Oxford into a response. Alex Matos’ shot deflected off Maxime Esteve for a corner that Burnley failed to deal with, but when Helik sent it back across goal Greg Leigh put a clear header the wrong side of the post.
But Burnley re-established control over the game and gradually strangled it as chances dried up at both ends.
As a hailstorm battered Turf Moor in the second half Burnley finally found fresh impetus as the game moved into the final 20 minutes, and should have added to their lead.
CJ Egan-Riley burst forward from defence, swapped passes with Foster, and then prodded the ball dangerously across goal. Leigh nudged it out for a corner from which Foster had a shot straight at Cumming.
Foster’s effort from an angle was bending in before Cumming palmed it away, with his clearance just eluding the onrushing Flemming at the far post, and the goalkeeper then punched clear a powerful effort from substitute Jeremy Sarmiento.
As time ticked down January signing Jonjo Shelvey came on to make his Burnley debut, the former England midfielder’s first senior football since his final appearance for Turkish side Eyupspor on October 28, but fellow new boy Marcus Edwards stayed on the bench.
The win put Burnley two points behind Leeds and level with Sheffield United, although both sides have a game in hand.
The managers
Burnley’s Scott Parker:
“We missed some good chances, that’s clear. I’m more pleased we had those big chances, in the right positions, that conviction about us, not hiding, putting yourself on offer to miss that chance is key for me as a coach. We did that, and we didn’t execute.
“There’s definitely pressure on us and there’s been pressure on us all season, this is an incredibly young squad, and I’ve mentioned many times some players are playing a full season in the Championship for the first time. The expectation is obviously huge and we’re 18 unbeaten, another clean sheet, won another football match in the Championship so it’s nothing but positive.”
Oxford’s Gary Rowett:
“They had a couple of good opportunities [early on] they maybe should have scored before the goal, and the goal ends up being one of the least threatening of those. I was probably disappointed but I couldn’t say it hadn’t been coming. But thought we had periods in the game and we carried a threat, and we hung on in the game.
“I thought we chased the game reasonably well, got in some good areas, put them under pressure and made it a little bit nervy without creating that one big moment where you’d say we should get something out of the game.
“I don’t necessarily think that would have been fair on Burnley’s performance, so that’s the next evolution of our performance. I think we’ve shown we can compete in this division.”
