Wolverhampton Wanderers fought back from a goal down to defeat Burnley, pushing the Clarets’ wait for a home league triumph to nearly twelve months. Jamie Vardy put the hosts ahead early at Turf Moor, but strikes from Fer Lopez and Tawanda Chirewa earned Wolves a vital three points.
The outcome concluded a tough week for Wolves, who had lost to Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers while also losing forwards Raul Jimenez and Adam Armstrong to injuries. For Burnley boss Nicky Hayen, the loss heightened the pressure after his team could not capitalize on a strong beginning.
Burnley vs Wolves: Vardy strikes, but Clarets fall apart
Burnley started brightly, with Vardy causing problems early when a defensive error let him collect the ball inside the box. Wolves keeper Jose Sa reacted well to stop the forward, but Vardy quickly scored after receiving Jacob Bruun Larsen’s pass near the penalty area and placing a low effort into the bottom corner.
Wolves steadily built momentum after a challenging opening spell and levelled just before the interval. Kyle Walker gave the ball away cheaply under pressure, allowing on-loan teenager Sean Neave to set up Lopez, who drove a low shot in off the post to level the score at 1-1.
The away side maintained their momentum after the break, with Rafiki Said drawing a save from Burnley goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert. Wolves then went ahead following another expensive error, as Igor Julio surrendered possession in midfield and substitute Chirewa finished calmly to give the visitors the lead.
Burnley found it difficult to mount an effective reply, enabling Wolves to hold their advantage and claim all three points despite their recent struggles.
Burnley’s home league win drought increases pressure on Nicky Hayden
Burnley’s loss stretched their winless home league streak to 21 games. With their next home match set for 31 October, the club will have passed more than a year without a home league win, going back to their victory over Leeds United at Turf Moor in the previous Premier League campaign.
The Clarets have now won only one of their last 23 league fixtures and have conceded 21 goals in their first 11 Championship matches. Their recent 4-0 win against Watford had given Hayen some relief, but the defeat to Wolves has renewed questions about his job security.
Burnley had dominated much of the first half-hour and looked capable of ending their poor run when Vardy netted his first goal for the club. However, Walker’s error let Wolves back into the game, and the second defensive mistake proved costly.
Speaking after the match, Hayen admitted his team had begun well but lost control after individual errors. He also questioned the energy of the players brought on from the bench, expressing frustration at how his side let the game slip away.
Wolves injuries and squad adjustments deliver important win
Wolves arrived at Turf Moor on the back of losses to Middlesbrough and Bolton, with their poor run worsened by a mounting injury list. Rodrigo Gomez had hurt his ankle in the Middlesbrough fixture, while Bertrand Traore and Boubacar Traore were also unavailable.
The club then endured another blow when it was revealed that Jimenez would be out until January. Armstrong also missed the Burnley match due to a back injury picked up after the defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
Manager Cesar Peixoto responded by making six changes, with 19-year-old Neave spearheading the attack. Despite the disruption, Wolves recovered from their sluggish start and displayed better organization as the game wore on, ultimately flipping the match through Lopez and Chirewa.
The win brought some relief for Peixoto after a challenging week, though the number of injuries raised concerns about squad depth and whether the club had enough resources to maintain its push for promotion back to the top flight.
Nicky Hayden and Cesar Peixoto respond to the result
Burnley manager Hayen told BBC Radio Lancashire that his team had played well during the opening 30 minutes but had been punished by individual mistakes. He said the players attempted to regain their shape after conceding, only for another error to leave them behind in the second half.
Hayen also felt the substitutes did not provide the energy needed to help Burnley recover. He described the result as especially frustrating given the quality of his side’s opening display and the chances they created after the break.
Wolves head coach Peixoto, speaking to BBC Radio WM, described the result as a significant win and commended his players’ mentality. He acknowledged his side had struggled during the first 20 minutes but said adjustments to their pressing strategy helped them become more organized and compact.
Peixoto added that Wolves finished the first half strongly and controlled the game well after the interval. He felt his team deserved the victory after the effort required to overcome a tough away fixture against a strong Burnley side.