Burnley 1-0 Bristol City: Clarets maintain promotion push

The Robins, hoping to stretch their unbeaten league away run to six matches and extend their overall unbeaten streak to eight, started well enough with Anis Mehmeti almost getting on the end of a Jason Knight cross.

But from the moment Flemming’s pinpoint strike flew over the wall and nestled into the top left-hand corner past scampering keeper Max O’Leary, Burnley seized control.

Jaidon Anthony could have doubled the lead after some smart link-up play with Marcus Edwards but shot straight at O’Leary, Anthony went even closer with a powerful header that was just off target from a teasing Flemming cross and a Connor Roberts strike went narrowly wide.

Mehmeti did drag an effort past the post from 20 yards in a rare City attack but it was a brief respite and Burnley remained in control on the resumption.

A brilliant tackle from City’s Rob Dickie prevented Edwards making it 2-0 from six yards out, Josh Brownhill had a shot cleared off the line and Anthony also went close.

But the visitors never really looked like forcing a leveller and avoiding an eighth consecutive defeat against Burnley.

The Robins drop to eighth, level on points with West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, who are sixth and seventh respectively.

Burnley boss Scott Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire:

“The main thing is we won. We were exceptional for 45 minutes. We should go in two or three-nil up

“We missed some big chances, but we created them and looked a real threat and a top team.

“In the second half, we had some big moments but didn’t execute them.

“There is always – at 1-0, at the back end of the game – a worry. It’s tricky because they have nothing to lose and load the top line with five or six players. The game can become a little bit edgy.

“But overall I am delighted with the way we performed. They are an in-form team and we knew it was going to be a tough test. I am really impressed with the way we performed.”

Bristol City boss Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

“You want to test yourself against a good team.

“I am proud of the lads for fighting to the end. The group have been terrific at that this season.

“Burnley are a very good side with great depth, but I know we are capable of playing better so that’s why there is frustration there.

“We blocked shots, put our bodies on the line and kept going to the end but we were a sloppy at times and a bit careless with the ball.

“They created a lot of chances. As the games goes on, you think ‘can we nick a point here’, but it wasn’t to be.”