Premier League
Burnley 2 (Ugochukwu 18’, Tchaouna 68’)
Leeds United 0
Burnley: Dúbravka (GK), Walker, Hartman, Estève, Tuanzebe, Bruun Larsen (Tchaouna 58’), Ugochuckwu (Mejbri 83’), Anthony (Barnes 83’), Florentino, Flemming (Laurent 77’), Cullen (C). Subs not used: Weiss (GK), Edwards, Ekdal, Pires, Broja.
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C) (Tanaka 81’), Struijk, Rodon, Longstaff, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (James 66’), Stach (Piroe 73’), Harrison (Nmecha 66’). Subs not used: Perri (GK), Bijol, Bornauw, Justin, Gruev.
Venue: Turf Moor
Attendance: 21,646 (2,450 away)
Referee: Tim Robinson
Booked: Anthony, Mejbri (Burnley) Struijk (Leeds)
Leeds United fell to defeat away at Burnley on their return to Premier League action following the international break.
Going into the encounter in Lancashire, Daniel Farke made one change to the side that faced Tottenham Hotspur last time out as Jack Harrison came in for the injured Noah Okafor.
The tie got underway with both teams enjoying a fair share of possession as they looked to create the early inroads. A delivery from Brenden Aaronson from the right was audaciously met by the acrobatic Dominic Calvert-Lewin though the striker was unable to guide an effort on target.
The hosts did take the lead just before the 20-minute mark when Lesley Ugochukwu rose highest inside the area to glance Kyle Walker’s cross beyond Karl Darlow and into the far corner.
Keen to make an immediate response, clever link up play between Calvert-Lewin and Aaronson released Jayden Bogle into space on the right, only for his dangerous low delivery to be hacked away by the retreating Maxime Estève before a white shirt could pounce.
Brilliant defending from Gabriel Gudmundsson then prevented Jacob Bruun Larsen from having an opportunity at the back post, looking to latch onto Josh Cullen’s inventive ball.
Farke’s side came desperately close to levelling proceedings when Harrison excellently intercepted a lose Burnley pass and raced towards the edge of the area.
Shaping to shoot, the attacker instead found the overlapping Aaronson who drilled a first time strike low, forcing the experienced Martin Dúbravka into a fine save to tip the effort onto the foot of the woodwork.
The Clarets’ stopper again had to be at his very best on the stroke of half-time, diving to his left to parry Anton Stach’s rasping free kick away from danger.
HALF TIME: Burnley 1-0 Leeds United
The Whites emerged from the interval unchanged as they searched for an equaliser at Turf Moor, pressing intently and playing quick, flowing football whenever in possession.
Good reading of play from Aaronson saw the American international pick off a speculative long pass and maraud deep into opposition territory but Estève was on hand to clear before Calvert-Lewin could reach his teammate’s lay off inside the area.
It was Axel Tuanzebe’s turn to crucially intervene for the hosts next, clearing just a split second before Calvert-Lewin would have tapped Aaronson’s testing low delivery home from point blank range.
Approaching the hour mark and a deep cross from Sean Longstaff was met by the onrushing Harrison who volleyed powerfully into the ground and narrowly over the crossbar as Dúbravka scampered across his line.
That would prove to be the winger’s final involvement as he, alongside Aaronson, made way for Lukas Nmecha and Daniel James in a first bit of activity from the United bench.
Burnley doubled their advantage courtesy of substitute Loum Tchaouna’s fine long-distance strike with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
Searching for a lifeline, Calvert-Lewin’s header back across the face of goal was almost bundled home by Bogle though, with the angle narrowing, the full-back fired over.
Further changes brought Joël Piroe and Ao Tanaka onto the field as Farke’s side continued to dominate possession and create chances, notably from the Dutchman, Nmecha and Joe Rodon, but the Clarets’ defence stood firm until the full-time whistle sounded.
The Whites are back in action next weekend as they welcome West Ham United to Elland Road under the lights on Friday evening.
FULL TIME: Burnley 2-0 Leeds United
