Full Time: Burnley 1-0 Watford
Scott Arfield’s first-half goal took Burnley within a point of Champions League places as they defeated a 10-man Watford at Turf Moor. The Canadian, who was granted a start due to the absence of the injured Robbie Brady, provided the match-winning goal inside the first-half.
The goal came six minutes after Watford left-back Marvin Zeegelaar was red carded for a studs-up challenge on midfielder Steven Defour. Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes both saw efforts ruled out for offside as Watford stayed in the game, though two weak penalty appeals were as close as they came to nicking a point.
Let’s take a look at how the Burnley players fared in their 1-0 win over 10-man Watford.
Burnley Player Ratings
Nick Pope- 6/10
He made an important first-half save from Abdoulaye Doucoure’s effort, but was otherwise rarely troubled.
Phil Bardsley- 7/10
Combative defensively and got forward well when he could. He caught Richarlison in the closing stages but the referee felt nothing malicious.
Kevin Long- 7/10
Long started his first Premier League game of the season. Came in place of injured captain Ben Mee and impressed.
James Tarkowski- 7/10
Nullified Watford’s attacking threats well, barely giving Troy Deeney a sniff at goal.
Stephen Ward- 6/10
Another solid display from Burnley’s Mr Reliable. Not overly worked but comfortable in what he did against a 10-man opposition.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson- 7.5/10
Gudmundsson’s dipping free-kick produced a smart save from Heurelho Gomes. The Iceland international was heavily involved in the goal when he whipped a ball into the box from the right and Jeff Hendrick’s clever dummy allowed Arfield a pocket of space to attack and score.
Jack Cork- 7/10
He worked hard in the midfield. Got stuck in well and stole possession in key areas on a couple of occasions.
Steven Defour- 7/10
He was on the receiving end of a reckless studs-up challenge of Zeegelaar, who was given a straight red. Defour put a good shift and was substituted in the closing stages of the game.
Jeff Hendrick- 6.5/10
Tried to link with Wood early on but drifted out of the game. Couldn’t impact the game and was taken off at the hour mark.
Scott Arfield- 8/10
Got a chance to start the game due to Brady’s injury and grabbed it with both hands. He was a handful for the Watford defence. The Canadian showed great composure to open the scoring for the hosts with what turned out to be the winner.
Chris Wood- 7/10
A very good target man, always clever and he can hold the ball up as well. He was rightfully denied a goal for being offside.
Substitutes
Ashley Barnes- 6/10
Came in for Hendrick. Barnes thought he had put Burnley two up with 20 minutes remaining, only for the referee, after a lengthy discussion with his assistant, to controversially rule it out for offside. Brought energy and zest to the side.
Ashley Westwood- N/A
Was brought in the added time to run down the clock.