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The key takeaways from Burnley's goalless draw with West Brom

The games are running out for Sam Allardyce's men; Burnley too sloppy despite Semi Ajayi red card.

It was billed as  a relegation six-pointer but in the end the sides had to settle for one apiece, with an uninspired Burnley failing to find a way past ten-man West Brom at Turf Moor.

The game's major talking point came just 30 minutes in when Albion central defender Semi Ajayi was dismissed by referee Mike Dean following a VAR check, which showed the Nigerian had purposefully handled the ball to deny a goalscoring opportunity for Burnley striker Matej Vydra.

Despite having one fewer player than their opponents, it was Allardyce's side who came the closest to grabbing all three points in the second half. Mbaye Diagne struck the bar after a teasing run through the Burnley box before Matheus Pereira's effort was headed off the line by James Tarkowski.

A series of missed chances cost West Brom a vital three points in Lancashire

Chances aside, however, it was another case of what could have been for the Baggies as they failed to win yet another game in their bid for survival. The draw means they remain in 19th place and 11 points from safety, having played once more than fellow strugglers Fulham and Sheffield United.

Another point for Sean Dyche's side means they stay in 15th, but the Clarets boss will have plenty to ponder after a disappointing display in which his side never got out of first gear.

Fantasy heroes and villains

Clean sheets for goalkeepers Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone make the two shot-stoppers the Fantasy Football heroes of the fixture, with Burnley's number one netting a return of eight points once his bonus points are applied.

At just £5.6million, the Englishman is the perfect choice if you are looking to play your wildcard or swap your goalkeeper for next week's fixtures.

Unsurprisingly, Semi Ajayi proved the villain. The Nigerian's first-half red card meant he returned an underwhelming minus two points for FPL managers who chose to start the centre-back.

From the managers

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce told BBC Sport: "We are bitterly disappointed in the end result, we should have had the three points. We had far greater opportunities to score than them, the goal was the only thing missing. It would have been the perfect performance with 10 men.

"It's only the quality of our finishing - everyone else was great. We went right to the very end but couldn't get that all important winner.

"We are getting better and better, we should have had three points last week as well, but life is much more difficult if you don't score your chances. One more game has gone by and we should have had six points, not two."

Sean Dyche was disappointed with his team's uninspired performance

Burnley boss Sean Dyche, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "I am pleased in the end because we were absolutely miles off it. I am not going to be too critical because I'm asking a lot of the players. They looked physically and mentally jaded today.

"We are asking a lot of the players to throw them on the pitch when they have not played a lot of Premier League football.

"We were better against 11. Against 10 we didn't really find the extra man, too many sloppy passes and they could have nicked it. We should on another day when we are a bit more clear minded, we would have looked after ourselves better."

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What's next?

Next up for Sean Dyche's side is a visit to Tottenham to face a Jose Mourinho team desperate to recapture the spark that earned them so many plaudits earlier in the season.

Spurs have won just one of their last four Premier League games, with their last victory coincidentally being against West Brom, and if Dyche's men struggle to find their feet once more, it could be a long trip back to Lancashire.
As they continue their fight for survival, West Brom host an in-form Brighton side at The Hawthorns next week, and only a win will suffice if they are to provide any glimmer of hope that they'll beat the drop.

The Seagulls are undefeated in their last eight games across all competitions and with Allardyce's side having won just two Premier League matches all season, they will need to be at their very best to provide any sort of upset in the Midlands.

Odds check

An insipid performance it may have been but for Burnley it is a point closer to the magical 40-point barrier and Paddy Power have them at 8/1 to be relegated.
Even Sam Allardyce's renowned firefighting skills won't be enough to save West Brom who are 1/40 to be relegated and 11/10 to finish rock bottom. There may be some value, however, in putting them in a relegation treble with Fulham and Sheffield United at 5/6.

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