Dave Thornley writing on behalf of Clarets Mad seems to have calmed down somewhat following yet another VAR debacle which robbed the Clarets of three valuable points. What’s new Dave?

In the FA Cup final of 1958, Bolton’s Nat Lofthouse charged into Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg bundling both keeper and ball into the goal. A no doubt confused referee allowed the goal to stand. Since then, goalkeepers have been afforded the sort of protected species status roughly equivalent to that of the White Rhino.

Sometimes we supporters would moan about this, but over the years we have come to accept it as a fact; we all knew that barging into the goalie was off limits, we all knew where we stood – at least we thought we did.

At Turf Moor on Friday evening, deep into stoppage time, Burnley were protecting a slender 1-0 lead over Luton Town by virtue of Zeki Amdouni’s 35th minute goal, a neat finish from ten yards after the striker had slipped the attentions of the Luton defence to find the space to latch onto Wilson Odobert’s precise cross.

They had one last cross to defend, James Trafford had hitherto been secure and decisive in dealing with such crosses throughout the game, he advanced from his line with the intention of doing the same again only to be buffeted to the ground by Luton’s Elijah Adebayo. The ball then landed on the head of Carlton Morris who, almost apologetically, planted it into the unprotected goal.

Personally, I felt no sense of anxiety welling up within me, for this “goal” would surely be chalked off, a clear foul, right? The lack of celebration amongst the Luton players added an additional layer of confirmation to what was demonstrably obvious.
Referee Tony Harrington inexplicably referred the matter to VAR - a technology system second only the Post Office’s Horizon software in its unfitness for purpose – equally inexplicably, VAR saw nothing amiss and awarded the goal.

Burnley denied two valuable points, and victory over relegation rivals, due to a crass blunder by officials.

Whilst one incident doesn’t define a season, if Burnley do end up being relegated, we may well look upon this as a pivotal moment; especially when the Clarets’ next four fixtures involve trips to Manchester City and Liverpool and a home encounter with Arsenal.

The fear is that after that run of games, the distance between Burnley and Premier League safety might be insurmountable.
In truth, Friday night’s draw was probably a fair result over the balance of the game, but I am in no mood to be fair!

As the Premier League embarks on its own version of Dry January, Burnley have a long time to brood before their appointment at the Etihad on the 31st. Let us hope they use the time to channel their righteous indignation into an “us against them” siege mentality. It might not be enough to save us from the drop, but it would give us all something to relate to and get behind.

Finally, a word on the passing of another of the game’s undeniable giants. In little over a year, we have lost Pele, Bobby Charlton and now Franz Beckenbauer; three individuals about whom the term “great” seems less than adequate. All three were bound by epic encounters on the field and abiding mutual respect off it.

Beckenbauer would glide imperiously over the muddy pitches of the 60s and 70s, perceptively creating attacks from deep positions, be it midfield, or the now sadly defunct sweeper role he came to embody. Few had greater command over the ball and even fewer could win it more decisively or use it more effectively; he was Rodri and De Bruyne rolled up in one. Rest in peace Der Kaiser.

One bit of good news for Clarets fans everywhere, we have added a striker to the squad. Welcome to Burnley Football Club David Datro Fofana, I hope you are as effective as our last Chelsea loanee. (TEC.)

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