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Tottenham vs Burnley: Rose caps Spurs fightback

By AFP
18 December 2016   |   6:30 pm
Danny Rose capped Tottenham's comeback as they edged out Burnley 2-1 to keep alive their Champions League aspirations on Sunday.
Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Danny Rose (3R) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at White Hart Lane in London, on December 18, 2016. Ian KINGTON / AFP

Tottenham Hotspur’s English defender Danny Rose (3R) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at White Hart Lane in London, on December 18, 2016.<br />Ian KINGTON / AFP

Danny Rose capped Tottenham’s comeback as they edged out Burnley 2-1 to keep alive their Champions League aspirations on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were forced to come from behind after Ashley Barnes had opened the scoring for Burnley at White Hart Lane.

Normal service was resumed when Dele Alli almost instantly equalised, but Burnley, despite their struggles away from home, would not roll over and it took until the 71st minute until Rose won it.

Burnley were left frustrated, especially with Moussa Sissoko fortunate to escape a red card for a high challenge before he created the winning goal that moved Tottenham within one point of the top four.

It looked a different story early on as Tottenham should have been ahead within a minute.

Rose fed Harry Kane who in turn freed Alli but the midfielder was way off target as he bore down on Tom Heaton’s goal.

Besides a point at Manchester United, thanks to Heaton’s heroics, Burnley had been a soft touch.

They would need some luck on their side to keep Tottenham at bay. And so it proved early on as Kane dragged his shot wide and Christian Eriksen saw his volley deflected just over.

But Tottenham had looked sloppy at the back and they almost paid for an error in the 11th minute.

Kyle Walker gifted possession to Stephen Ward and the left-back where Andre Gray’s low shot was kept out by the shins of Hugo Lloris.

It was a chance Burnley needed to take given they had set themselves up to defend deep and soak up the pressure from the home side.

Burnley didn’t need asking again as Barnes slid them into a shock 21st minute lead. This was something of a collector’s item; their first away goal scored in open play this season.

– Perfection –
When Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele diverted George Boyd’s pass into Barnes’ path the striker could not miss as he stabbed him home from close-range.

The lead lasted just six minutes as Alli hauled Spurs level.

Walker delivered a cross into the penalty area where Alli timed his run to perfection to slide home the equaliser.

Tottenham were bossing proceedings and Heaton was fortunate to see Kane’s shot bounce off his legs and wide.

The second-half maintained the same pattern with Eriksen, fresh from scoring twice in the previous home match with Hull, seeing his long-range shot fly just over Heaton’s crossbar.

Eriksen then should have done better than divert Rose’s 53rd-minute cross straight at Heaton.

Alli again came close but Tottenham were becoming increasingly frustrated as Eriksen’s pile driver was palmed out by the busy Heaton and just out of Kane’s path.

But Spurs would finally break down the stubborn visitors thanks to Rose’s 71st-minute strike.

A quick break led by substitute Sissoko found it’s way to the England left-back in space to drive home.

It was painful for Burnley as, just moments earlier, Sissoko was relieved to receive just a yellow card rather than a second red of his short Tottenham career for a high challenge on Ward.

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