Burnley 1-1 Southampton: Manolo Gabbiadini rescues visitors with late goal after Ashley Barnes looked to have headed Sean Dyche's side to victory

Daily Mail | February 24, 2018

If European football is the aim for Burnley then they are going a difficult way about it.

Sean Dyche and his players could do no wrong earlier in the season but Burnley were without a win since December before Ashley Barnes’ goal gave them hope of ending that torrid run.

It was, of course, blown away in controversial circumstances when Southampton substitute Manolo Gabbiadini scored after appearing to drag Kevin Long to the ground before firing past goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Manolo Gabbiadini scored in the final minute of the game to rescue a crucial point for Southampton against Burnley

The striker has found himself out of favour under the current regime but showed his quality to net the late equaliser

Ashley Barnes put his head where it hurts inside the area to score the opening goal for Sean Dyche's Burnley at Turf Moor

Southampton's players appealed for a foul as Barnes hurled himself at the lofted cutback but their claims were unsuccessful

In what proved a closely fought encounter which lacked quality, Barnes thought his header would be the decisive goal

So close Burnley came to that elusive victory and one that would have strengthened their position in seventh place, with Dyche’s men positioned perfectly to qualify for the Europa League.