The Premier League relegation battle took yet another dramatic twist as Burnley recorded a late 3-2 win over rivals Everton at Turf Moor on Wednesday night. The Clarets came from behind to earn a vital victory in their pursuit of staying in the division, leaving Frank Lampard still without an away win during his time in charge of the Toffees.
On a nervous, tense evening in Lancashire, Burnley took the lead in the 12th minute as Nathan Collins headed home Maxwel Cornet's corner. However, the Toffees hit back before the break as through a quick-fire Richarlison double, with the Brazilian slotting home two penalties to give them the advantage.
Despite going into the second-half with the momentum, Everton failed to kill the game off and allowed the Clarets back into proceedings as they levelled on 53 when Jay Rodriguez tapped home from close-range. With the contest finely balanced, it was Burnley who won it with moments to go as Cornet struck to send the home fans wild.
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It was a result that has really tightened the battle to avoid the drop, with Burnley now a point and a position behind 17th-place Everton in the table. Sean Dyche's side are still six points off Leeds United, but have two matches in hand on the Whites, which could make for an interesting run-in.
Everton have also played two fewer games than Leeds, but face a tricky-looking end to the season, while the Clarets have some pretty favourable fixtures coming up. Burnley are set to face Norwich City, Southampton, Watford, Newcastle United and Aston Villa twice all before May 22, with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United squeezed in between.
Meanwhile, the Toffees take on six of the top-10, including Leicester City twice in their final nine games. Watford and Brentford are their other two scheduled matches as they fight to avoid a first relegation to the Championship.
With Leeds five points ahead of Everton, they have been able to bridge some kind of a cushion but also have a difficult-looking run-in on paper. Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are all to come for the Whites after this weekend's crunch trip to Watford.
The Hornets are another side who can still get out of danger. Roy Hodgson's side sit 19th, just two points behind Burnley but have played one more game than the Clarets. However, Hodgson's experience could be crucial in their pursuit of survival and have some pivotal games coming up, with Leeds, Brentford and Burnley in their next four.
Although Newcastle United aren't completely out of the picture yet, they do have three successive home games coming up and haven't lost at St James' Park in the league since December. Brighton and Brentford also look like they are safe.
