Cristian Romero’s 90th-minute equaliser, under pressure from Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, spared second-placed Burnley an embarrassing defeat and the defender’s header sealed a 2-2 draw.
However, as the final whistle blew at Turf Moor, the visitors were booed as Spurs continued to put pressure on Frank, who had won just two of their last 14 league games.
Frank’s side were unable to build on the momentum of Tuesday’s home win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, leaving them winless in the Premier League in 2026.
Tottenham are currently eight points above the drop zone in 13th place and have a daunting February ahead of them as they face Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal in the Premier League.
Axel Tuanzebe canceled out Micky van de Ven’s opener in the 38th minute just before half-time, and substitute Lyle Foster’s 74th-minute goal seemed to have completed Burnley’s comeback.
But Romero’s last-gasp goal, his third of the game, moved Scott Parker’s side seven points from safety and extended Burnley’s winless run in the league to 14 games.
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Simon Thomas lays down the law after Paul Merson and Kris Boyd cheekily celebrated Burnley’s goal against Tottenham
Spurs fans shout ‘I want Frank sent off’
Peter Stevenson from Sky Sports News at Turf Moor:
“The away fans were booed at the final whistle after Spurs took a late goal. Spurs started the game well but struggled to match Burnley’s intensity in the second half. They suffered another defeat until Romero scored a dramatic late equaliser.”
Cristian Romero celebrates after scoring Spurs’ equalizer in the 90th minute against Burnley
“Frank walked away in response to chants from fans from both teams as Spurs supporters chanted, ‘We want Frank out,’ and then taunted the home fans, saying, ‘You’re sacked in the morning.’
“It’s very disappointing for Burnley who were on course for their first win since October.
“They are now in danger of being left at the foot of the table with Wolves.”
Frank: We should have won the game.
Micky van de Ven (right) celebrates with Romero after giving Spurs the lead at Turf Moor
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank told Sky Sports:
“We played a good first half. We were on top, led 1-0 and could have easily scored in the second half. Then we conceded a goal just before half-time that should never have been conceded.”
“After that, we went to halftime feeling a little bad about it.The second half was a little back-and-forth.We didn’t score many points, but then we allowed an extra point that we shouldn’t have allowed.
“But then the players showed great character to keep going and fighting. We had four big chances and scored from one of them.”
“But we should have won the game because of how much we created.”
On scoring goals from defenders: “Big credit to Mickey and Cutie. It also highlighted a little bit that we need to score goals from other angles as well.”
Parker: We need to turn draws into wins.
Burnley manager Scott Parker said this in the post-match press conference.
“Today, after losing 1-0, I thought overall our reaction at that point was great.
“We got ourselves back into the game, I thought it was great in the second half, we took the game to Spurs and took the lead.
“Really, you can’t completely deny that we need to turn draws into wins now and you would have hoped that would have been the case today because it was a very close game, but we just came up a little bit short.
“I think anyone who looked at us today and the situation we were in, we didn’t look like a team, we looked like we lacked confidence, belief and resilience.”
Opta fact: Spurs have had more shots on target than in the last two years
Tottenham’s 11 shots on target is the most in a Premier League game since December 2023 (12 against Newcastle) and the most in a winless game since December 2021 (11 in the 1-1 draw with Southampton). Burnley’s Martin Dubravka has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season (94). Burnley remain winless in their last 14 Premier League games (D5 L9), their longest run in the top flight since 1970 (14 goals). All four of Cristian Romero’s Premier League goals this season have resulted in ties. Tottenham have scored more headed goals (10) and goals through defenders (9) than any other team in the Premier League this season. Only Richarlison (8 goals) has scored more goals for Spurs in all competitions this season than Mickey van de Ven (7 goals). The Dutchman’s seven is also the most of any Premier League defender in all competitions.
