Daniel Munoz’s first-half header was enough to hand Burnley a fifth successive defeat, and Crystal Palace held off a second-half fightback to win 1-0 at Turf Moor.
It was the best moment of a familiar first half for the home side, as the wing-back headed across goal from Marc Gehi’s deep cross. They controlled the game until the final third, but they once again fell short.
Manager Scott Parker’s decision to introduce Jacob Bruun Larsen, Hannibal Mabry and Marcus Edwards proved crucial to Burnley’s post-interruption improvement, with an xG of just 0.07 up to that point.
Bruun Larsen’s cross from the left was met by Lyle Foster, whose half-volley was blocked, but Josh Cullen’s following was also denied.
Brune Larsen turned provider moments later with Burnley’s best chance of the game, latching onto a cross at the back post and firing a thunderbolt towards goal, only to be blocked by the crossbar.
Replays later showed that Dean Henderson’s fingertip touch was directed into the woodwork in a stunning show of quick reflexes from the England goalkeeper.
Burnley continued to improve, but ran out of real threats well before full-time until the end of the second half when Henderson misjudged a cross and needed a goal-line clearance from Chris Richards to prevent Arm and Broha’s inadvertent equaliser.
Without that, the Clarets would face a fifth blank of the season and a fifth successive defeat.
Parker: It made sense to do something outside of the game.
Burnley head coach Scott Parker told Sky Sports:
“We definitely could have gotten something out of this game.
“There are a lot of positives. Not having the points weakens me a bit, but in terms of what I wanted from the team, being brave and showing our quality, we fulfilled all of them.”
“We were narrowly behind. Overall, as far as this young team is concerned, I was pleased with the courage and bravery they showed.
“We dominated for most of the first half and took the game away from Palace, but the goal came at a really bad time for us. It was disappointing to bounce back, but what we saw in the second half was a front-footed team that limited Palace’s chances very little and took the game to them.”
Mr. Glassner: Natural fatigue almost killed me.
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner told Sky Sports:
“It’s a big win. It was very tough at the end and to be honest I had to survive the last 20 to 25 minutes. I worked really hard for the first hour.”
“However, that is what we are facing, we are getting tired and when the game is not decided, they are playing at home and we have tried everything.
“(Chris) Richards made a great clearance from the goal line and it was saved by the crossbar, but the players fought as hard as they could.”
