After an incredibly tricky start to the season in terms of the calibre of opposition faced, there was an emphasis on Burnley to make a more favourable-looking fixture count today.
A stale start to the game was to be expected given its enormity, but it was Burnley who settled quickest and established a lead.
After Kyle Walker’s initial long throw was partially cleared back to the former Manchester City man, he returned the ball with interest perfectly onto the head of Lesley Ugochukwu, who steered home his second goal in as many games.
Leeds’ offerings were few and far between in the first half, but some sloppy play from the hosts afforded them a gilt-edged chance.
A loose Jaidon Anthony pass was pounced upon by Jack Harrison, who slipped Brenden Aaronson through on goal, but a heroic save from Martin Dubravka tipped his effort onto the post.
The Clarets were in an unusual position of leading going into half-time, as this was the first instance all season that they’d done so in the top flight.
Going 1-0 up and seeing out games was Burnley’s bread and butter last season, one in which they won 100 Championship points alongside Leeds.
The Whites failed to score across two meetings with Scott Parker’s men last season, and they missed another gilt-edged opportunity to finally breach Burnley’s defence shortly before the hour mark.
Sean Longstaff floated a perfect cross to the far post, but Harrison could only hammer a volley into the ground and watch as it bounced over the bar.
They were left to rue those missed opportunities in brutal fashion shortly after, too.
Burnley’s Goal of the Season competition could perhaps have been won already, as Loum Tchaouna unleashed an absolute rocket from 30 yards, which flew over Karl Darlow and into the top corner.
Going two goals behind didn’t deter Leeds’s attacking approach, and chances continued to come, Lukas Nmecha wasting arguably the best of the bunch when he headed over from six yards.
Daniel Farke’s men were ultimately never able to find a way back into the game, as they missed the chance to post back-to-back Premier League away wins for the first time since April 2022.
The afternoon belonged to Burnley, who will feel much more optimistic about their survival hopes after snapping a six-match winless run in all competitions and securing just a fourth win from their last 25 Premier League home games in the process.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Florentino Luis (Burnley)
