Burnley 2-2 Fulham: Super sub David Datro Fofana seals superb comeback for Vincent Kompany’s strugglers as late brace cancels out first-half goals from Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz and rescues dramatic point
- Vincent Kompany’s Burnley came back to grab a late point against Fulham
- David Datro Fofana sealed the comeback with two goals in the last twenty minutes
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Fulham debutant Armando Broja was overshadowed by another Chelsea loanee, David Fofana, whose late double earned Burnley a valuable point in their battle against relegation.
Broja’s move across west London was the standout move of a quiet deadline day. But his cameo achieved little apart from a blow to the ankle, while Fofana made himself an instant hero after coming on with Burnley trailing 2-0.
His header on 71 minutes set up a grandstand final that reached its climax after referee Darren Bond added five minutes.
The 21-year-old attacker raced into the penalty area after 91 minutes and delivered Wilson Odobert’s cross. He celebrated with delirious fans and celebrated again when VAR ruled the ball had not passed his hand on its way to goal.
It is difficult to overstate the importance of the comeback for Burnley, with rivals Everton and Luton also earning draws on Saturday.
Burnley saved a dramatic point against Fulham after substitute David Datro Fofana’s brace
Fofana, started by Vincent Kompany just after the hour, caused wild scenes late on
The striker converted a sharp cross from Wilson Odobert in the first minute of stoppage time
They got off to a shambolic start as Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz put Fulham 2-0 ahead inside 21 minutes.
They needed James Trafford to make two excellent saves from Willian to avoid going behind 3–0.
The tide began to turn when Burnley broke quickly from a Fulham corner and Lorenz Assignon crossed on his debut on deadline day. Bernd Leno failed to collect and Fofana headed in.
With the crowd ready to score the equalizer, Fulham substitute Kenny Tete blundered and allowed Wilson Odobert to cross from the left, where Fofana converted a full-length pass.
The visitors took an early lead after Joao Palhinha (centre) headed in a brilliant header
Palhinha was the first to meet Andreas Pereira’s inswinging corner and curl home his effort
‘We were the better team until the first goal. It is very frustrating,” said Fulham boss Marco Silva, whose side have now gone six games without a win.
Kompany was delighted with his team’s response. “I saw a team with character,” he said. ‘Out of nowhere we were 1-0 down and even less, it was 2-0.
‘Fofana’s performance was a turning point. Last season he was loaned out to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, so he has experience. He just needs a chance.”
Fulham continued to curse at how three points came away.
Fulham seemed to have complete control of the match after the opener and then scored again
Rodrigo Muniz was tethered by Antonee Robinson before lifting the ball over James Trafford
Muniz (right) appeared overcome with emotion as he was congratulated by his teammates
They had taken the lead after just 17 minutes when Andreas Pereira’s corner was met by a glancing header from Palhinha, aided by a kick from the shoulder of Sander Berge.
From a Burnley point of view, Fulham’s second goal was also self-inflicted.
They were unable to maintain possession from a throw and when the ball was passed towards the halfway line, Antonee Robinson returned it with interest.
As the defense stood and stared, Muniz turned behind marker Hjalmar Ekdal and as Trafford advanced he finished with a deft lob for his first Premier League goal.