Burnley angled into the championship’s top two about target difference as Michal Helik’s first half goal gave Scott Parker’s side a 1-0 win over Oxford and his old Charlton teammate Gary Rowett.
It expanded Clarets’ undefeated races to 18 games and was a ninth straight sheet, but Burnley’s goal-scoring match lasted against a page in the lower half of the table, although one who arrived on a nine-match’s undefeated race as Rowett has controlled them Away from trouble since the acquisition in December.
Turf Moor had witnessed three consecutive speechless draws before this, and the home fans of ironically singing ‘We have scored a goal!’ – Their first home since December 21 – after taking the lead in the 33rd minute, even though it was actually Oxford who scored it for them.
Lyle Foster discovered Josh Cullen’s race into the box, and the midfielder’s low cross was aimed at Zian Flemming, but before it could reach him, the unlucky helich made it his own net.
It was only Burnleys 37. Target in 31 league matches this season. But they were worthy of the lead and victory, which eight days after not registering a shot at the goal at home against Leeds, they created more than enough chances of making it much more comfortable.
Early at Jaidon Anthony Mis-hit a shot from Hannibal Mejbris cross, but the ball went straight to Flemming, who sponged his efforts narrowly.
They should have been ahead in the 12th minute when Flemming Back-Heeled Anthony’s Cross to leave Foster with a clear view of target, but South Africa-Fring somehow sent it wide.
Seconds later, Jamie Cumming took too long to clear, and Foster shut him down to divert the ball to Flemming, but Oxford goalkeeper soned quickly for his mistake as he pushed a powerful shot around the post.
Helik then hooked Foster’s shot away from the target before Josh Laurent sent half a volley narrowly over.
Burnley’s goal aroused Oxford for a response. Alex Matos’ shot deflected Maxime Esteve for a corner that Burnley failed to handle, but when Helik sent it back across the goal, Greg Leigh put a clear headline on the wrong side of the position.
But Burnley restored control over the game and gradually strangled as the chances dried up at both ends.
When a hailstorm abused Turf Moor in the second half Burnley finally found fresh driving as the game moved into the last 20 minutes and should have added their lead.
CJ Egan-Riley broke out from the defense, swapped passes with fetus and then stabbed the ball dangerously over the goal. Leigh pushed it out to a corner from which Foster had a shot right against Cumming.
Foster’s efforts from an angle bent in before he Cumming Palmed it away, with his approval just avoiding the onrush Stush Flemming in Father Post, and the goalkeeper then stopped a strong effort from replacement Jeremy Sarmiento.
When the time crossed down in January, signing Jonjo Shelvey came on to debut in Burnley, the former England midfielder’s first senior football since his last performance for the Turkish side Eyupspor on October 28, but colleague New Boy Marcus Edwards stayed on the bench .
The victory put Burnley two points behind Leeds and level with Sheffield United, although both sides have a game in hand.
The leaders
Burnley’s Scott Parker:
“We missed some good chances it’s clear. I’m more glad we had the big chances, in the right positions, that conviction of us is not hiding, getting yourself to offer to miss Of this chance is the key for me as a coach.
“There is definitely pressure on us and there has been pressure on us all season, this is an incredibly young team, and I have mentioned many times that some players play a whole season in the championship for the first time. Expectation is obviously huge and We are 18 undefeated, another clean sheet, won another football match in the championship, so it’s nothing but positive.
Oxfords Gary Rowett:
“They had a few good options [early on] They might have scored before the goal, and the goal ends up becoming one of the least threatening of them. I was probably disappointed, but I couldn’t say it hadn’t come. But thought we had periods in the game and we wore a threat and we hung on in the game.
“I thought we chased the game reasonably well, got some good areas, put them under pressure and made it a little nervous without creating the one big moment when you would say we should get something out of the game.
“I don’t necessarily think it would have been fair over Burnley’s performance, so that’s the next development of our performance. I think we’ve shown that we can compete in this department.”