Burnley took another (wrong) step in their season-long relegation battle, as they were beaten 1-0 by Wolves at Molineux Stadium on Tuesday.
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It was the Clarets’ Premier League-leading 12th defeat of the season (2W-1D-12L after 15 games) and sees them remain 19th in the table, two points adrift of 17th-place Luton Town.
Burnley bossed much of the first half — the opening 40 minutes, at least — as Vincent Kompany’s side continued to play its expansive passing football and created three decent scoring chances. Jay Rodriguez was denied by Dan Bentley from point-blank range in the 38th minute, before Bentley scrambled back to his feet and tipped Josh Brownhill’s follow-up just around the post.
Two minutes later, the Clarets found themselves a goal down after disaster struck just outside their own penalty area. Dara O’Shea played Sander Berge into loads of trouble as three golden shirts surrounded him 20 yards from his own goal. The ball was poked free, fell to Pablo Sarabia, who found Matheus Cunha, who played Hwang Hee-chan in on goal. Hwang cleverly created a shooting lane through which to bounce the ball and beat James Trafford to his far post for his 8th league goal of the season.
Once they had the lead, Wolves were able to defend deeper and limit Burnley to just four second-half shots (eight in the first half), even as they held nearly 60 percent of possession.
The victory bumps Wolves up a place in the PL table, into 12th, now 11 points clear of the relegation zone.
What’s next?
Wolves will continue their push toward the top half of the table on Saturday (10 am ET), when they host 15th-place Nottingham Forest at Molineux. Burnley will try for their third win of the season away to Brighton at the same time.
Player ratings – Wolves vs Burnley
Wolves vs Burnley, final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Hwang Hee-chan (42′)
42nd minute – GOAL – Hwang Hee-chan scores after Wolves’ press turns Burnley over
Hwang powers Wolves 1-0 in front of Burnley
Hee-chan Hwang steps up for Wolves again, scoring his eighth goal of the season to give his side a 1-0 lead against Burnley at the Molineux.
How to watch Wolves vs Burnley live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET (Tuesday, Dec. 5)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream online via NBCSports.com
Wolves starting lineup
Bentley — Kilman, Dawson, Gomes — Semedo, Sarabia, Lemina, Gomes, Bueno — Hwang, Cunha
Burnley starting lineup
Trafford — Vitinho, O’Shea, Ekdal, Taylor — Larsen, Berge, Brownhill, Koleosho — Rodriguez, Amdouni
Focus on Wolves, team news
OUT: Joe Hodge (shoulder), Mario Lemina (suspension), Joao Gomes (suspension), Jonny Otto (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Pedro Neto (thigh), Rayan Ait Nouri (ankle), Jose Sa (back)
Focus on Burnley, team news
OUT: Lyle Foster (personal) | QUESTIONABLE: Jack Cork (undisclosed), Arijanet Muric (illness)
