Burnley 3-4 Brentford: VAR Drama Crushes Clarets in Turf Moor Thriller

VAR took centre stage as Burnley were controversially beaten late on in a game-of-the-season contender at Turf Moor.

Brentford came flying out of the blocks. Mikkel Damsgaard put the visitors ahead inside the first 10 minutes with a header from six yards out.

Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade then both added to the Bees’ lead as the away side looked to be cruising just before half-time.

Michael Kayode unfortunately turned the ball into his own net in added time at the end of the first half, giving Burnley a sliver of hope going into the interval.

Burnley emerged from the dressing room reborn.

They clawed the game back to 3-3 through joint top scorers Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming.

The final 20 minutes can only be described as pantomime.

Flemming had another strike ruled out for the finest of offside margins. Damsgaard scored again to restore Brentford’s lead. Then, a dramatic late equaliser from Ashley Barnes was ruled out after VAR judged the ball to have struck the veteran striker’s hand.

VAR controversy dominated proceedings as Burnley appeared to win it, equalise, and lose it all within one of the most chaotic endings seen in the VAR era.

Before kick-off, both sides understood the importance of three points. Brentford sought to strengthen their European ambitions, while Burnley aimed to reignite survival hopes.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Brentford rose to the occasion immediately.

Damsgaard capitalised on Burnley’s slow start after nine minutes, nodding home the opener.

Igor Thiago made it two soon after, and Schade added a third with 35 minutes played, leaving Turf Moor stunned.

As some home supporters headed for the exits, a fortunate break offered Burnley hope. Anthony flashed a low cross into the box which Kayode misjudged and turned into his own net just before half-time.

Did Burnley have a way back?

They did.

Immediately after the restart, Jaidon Anthony saw his effort deflect off Kayode once again and into the net.

Momentum shifted entirely. Scott Parker’s side sensed opportunity. On the hour mark, Flemming levelled the match, sending Turf Moor into bedlam.

Keith Andrews could scarcely believe it. From 3-0 up to 3-3 in a matter of minutes.

But there was more to come.

Flemming thought he had completed the comeback, only for VAR to rule Anthony narrowly offside in the build-up.

Then, in the 90+3rd minute, Damsgaard struck again from 10 yards to put Brentford back in front.

Still Burnley fought.

Ashley Barnes believed he had rescued a point in the dying moments. The stadium erupted only for VAR to intervene once more, ruling the goal out for handball.

Boos echoed around Turf Moor.

Another home defeat leaves Burnley eight points adrift of safety.

Brentford, meanwhile, leave Lancashire with three crucial points. Andrews has questions to answer about his side’s collapse, but European football remains within reach.