Burnley 1-1 Luton Town: Zeki Amdouni strike cancelled out by Carlton Morris header amid late controversy

Burnley looked like they were about to grab just their fourth win of the Premier League season against Luton Town at Turf Moor, but succumbed to a late equaliser that provoked some controversy. Carlton Morris rose highest to nod a cross home, but Burnley thought keeper James Trafford had been impeded when trying to contest the cross. Earlier Zeki Amdouni had given Vincent Kompany’s side the lead.

Carlton Morris scored a controversial equaliser in stoppage time to earn Luton a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor and deny Burnley a precious victory in the Premier League.

The substitute headed into an unguarded net, with Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford on the floor after colliding with Elijah Adebayo as he came for the cross, but the referee did not deem that Trafford had been impeded and a VAR review upheld that decision.

Zeki Amdouni had given Burnley a first-half lead against the run of play, applying a side-footed finish to a Wilson Odobert cut-back.

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Burnley had the better of the chances thereafter but could not add to their advantage. A deflected Odobert shot was the closest they came, but Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kamiski reacted quickly to change direction and keep the ball out.

Luton struggled to fashion chances in the second half of a match which gave clues as to why both sides are in the relegation zone, but were able to make Burnley pay for some profligate finishing at the death.

Luton remain 18th, but now have 16 points and are level with Everton, but with a worse goal difference.

Burnley, in 19th, are four points behind and have played an extra game.

Morris heads in late equaliser as Luton grab controversial draw at Burnley

Video credit: TNT Sports

Talking Point - Should the equaliser have stood?

Luton's leveller was highly controversial and the muted celebrations of Hatters' players were a giveaway. The collision between Trafford and Adebayo is the kind we are used to seeing given as free-kicks to the defending team.

However the referee played on, awarded the goal, and when it came to a VAR review it was hard to argue a clear and obvious foul - those two fateful adjectives - had been committed. On the one hand, Adebayo appeared to make no attempt to play the ball and his presence blocked Trafford's path to the cross. On the other, it appeared the goalkeeper was the player who initiated a collision and Adebayo was merely standing his ground.

You can argue this one either way and the VAR call would have been contentious whatever it was. Trafford had been assured under the high ball up to that point, claiming multiple crosses impressively, but that only adds salt to the Burnley wound.

Player of the Match - Wilson Odobert (Burnley)

The Clarets' best player, he created the first goal with excelling wingplay and fashioned other chances too. Carried the ball well and generally used it smartly - the 19-year-old has been a shining light for Burnley in a difficult season.

Player Ratings

Burnley: Trafford 6, Vitinho 7, O'Shea 6, Al-Dakhil 5, Ekdal 5, Gudmundsson 5, Brownhill 5, Cullen 6, Odobert 8, Amdouni 6, Foster 6. Subs: Roberts 5, Tresor 5, Bruun Larsen 4, Cork n/a

Luton Town: Kaminski 7, Obgene 5, Mengi 5, Osho 6, Bell 6, Doughty 6, Lokonga 6, Barkley 7, Townsend 5, Clark 4, Adebayo 6. Subs: Chong 5, Morris 6, Berry n/a.

Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary

Match Highlights

CHANCE! 12' - Barkley switches the play to Ogbene on the Luton right. He runs at the left-back, finds room to shoot and forces Trafford to parry behind.

GOAL! BURNLEY 1-0 LUTON (AMDOUNI) 36' - Odobert squares up Mengi on the left, gets past the central defender and sends in a cutback which is deflected to Amdouni, who slots into the centre of the goal!

GOODSAVE! 62' - Odobert picks up the ball on the left as Burnley launch a counter-attack. He cuts inside, shoots and it takes a wicked deflection, forcing Kaminski to change direction rapidly and dive to tip the ball wide. A really smart save.

GOAL! BURNLEY 1-1 LUTON (MORRIS) - A cross comes in from the left, Trafford collides with Adebayo and that leaves Morris to nod into an empty net. There's a VAR review and it confirms the goal - Luton have a vital leveller!

‘Huge moment’ – Drama as Luton’s stoppage-time leveller stands after VAR check

Video credit: TNT Sports

Key stats

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