Super Eagles stars Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze played key roles as Fulham battled to a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Burnley on Saturday, returning to winning ways, SportPremi Reports.
The clash which took place at the Turf Moor lived up to its billing, as the Cottagers were involved in yet another high-scoring match.
Emile Smith-Rowe, Calvin Bassey and Harry Wilson were on target for the visitors, while Lesley Ugochukwu and Oliver Sonne got the goals for the home side.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the visitors as they moved up to 13th on the standings, while Burnley suffered their 12th defeat of the season.
Bassey scores, Chukwueze assists in Fulham’s win
Both sides went into the game hoping for a win to turn around their fortunes in the league, as Burnley were winless in their last six while Fulham had lost their last two matches.
Emile Smith-Rowe opened scoring in the ninth minute for the visitors from a corner kick after poor defending by the home side.
The home side were level on the 21st minute as Ugochukwu showed brilliant positioning and awareness to get into a promising position and fire in the equalizer.
However, the Cottagers were back in front only 10 minutes later through another set-piece which Burnley failed to defend.
After his initial effort was cleared, Harry Wilson crossed once more as Calvin Bassey rose highest to head home for Fulham.
Ugochukwu was then denied a second goal as his effort which seemed to be heading for the bottom corner was expertly saved by Bernd Leno as the first half ended 2-1 to the visitors.
Fulham were on top in the second half and Bassey could have gotten second, but his finish was very poor despite a brilliant solo run into the box.
They got their third through the impressive Wilson who curled into the net after receiving a pass from Samuel Chukwueze.
Burnley pulled one back in the 86th minute as substitute Sonne netted his first ever goal in the English Premier League.
The game ended 3-2 in favor of the visitors who moved up to 13th in the league, while the home side remained in 19th place.
Players Ratings:
Burnley Players Ratings
- Dubravka – 6.4
- Tuanzebe – 5.7
- Ekdal – 5.7
- Esteve – 6.5
- Hartman – 5.3
- Cullen – 7.5
- Ugochukwu – 7.8
- Florentino – 6.5
- Foster – 6.5
- Broja – 5.9
- Larsen – 7.6
Substitutes
- Edwards – 6.1
- Flemming – 5.9
- Sonne – 7.1
- Anthony – 5.8
Fulham Players Ratings
- Leno – 7.8
- Robinson – 7.4
- Bassey – 8.4
- Andersen – 6.9
- Tete – 6.9
- Iwobi – 6.7
- Berge – 6.8
- Chukwueze – 8.1
- Wilson – 9.1
- Smith-Rowe – 7.8
- Jimenez – 6.1
Substitutes
- King – 6.2
- Lukic – 6.7
Man of the match
Harry Wilson (9.1/10) – The Fulham forward continued his impressive form with another wonderful display in the win. Wilson scored one and assisted two other goals as his side moved up to 20 points for the season.
Key Stats
Ball Possession: Burnley 53% – 47% Fulham
Total Shots: Burnley 16 – 6 Fulham
Shots on Target: Burnley 8 – 4 Fulham
Pass Accuracy: Burnley 83% – 82% Fulham
Corners: Burnley 10 – 4 Fulham
What Next?
Burnley travel to the South Coast to face Bournemouth next Saturday, hoping to end their poor run of form.
Fulham, however, will be without Nigerian trio Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze for their EFL Cup quarter-final clash against Newcastle United on Wednesday, as the players head to Morocco for the African Cup of Nations.
