'Greatest moment of my career' - Tuanzebe on reaching World Cuppublished at 18:15 BST
18:15 BST
Media caption,
During the international break, Axel Tuanzebe helped DR Congo reach their first World Cup in 52 years, and he called it "the greatest moment of my career."
Tuanzebe scored the winning goal in the World Cup play-off final against Jamaica to send his country to the showpiece event this summer.
Discussing the moment he made history, the defender said: "The manager spoke to me briefly after the game. He was emotional, in tears, and he was just relieved that we got the goal because the pressure was huge coming from the country and doing it for the country.
"There's a different sort of element when you're playing for your nation. Expectations, and you can see the other side of it, scrutiny side of it, should you lose.
"We all knew what was at stake. A lot of nerves creeping into the performance, but again, just great to get it over the line."
You can listen to the full interview with Tuanzebe by pressing play on the clip above
Fear, anger or excitement - how are Burnley fans feeling?published at 17:19 BST
17:19 BST
The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.
Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.
So how are you feeling as an Burnley fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?
The league form reads: WDLLDL
The next three league fixtures are: Brighton (h), Nottingham Forest (a) and Manchester City (h)
Parker on injuries, Tuanzebe and 'pure focus'published at 14:26 BST
14:26 BST
Holly Bacon BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Turf Moor (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
The Burnley boss said the break has been good for everyone at the club: "It has been a long period, probably the longest that I've ever experienced. We had some downtime, gave the players some downtime, certainly after the Fulham game just to recuperate for many reasons - physically and mentally - and then we've worked pretty tough over the past couple of weeks. It has been a good period for all of us."
Parker feels it was a "massive achievement" for Axel Tuanzebe to score the goal that secured World Cup qualification for DR Congo. He added: "I've seen the adulation he's got since he's got back, rightly so."
He hopes Tuanzebe is fit to face Brighton: "He's not played a lot of football, obviously, and he's gone away and played 120 minutes. So he's come back in late as well so we'll see."
Parker said Mike Tresor has "progressed more now, [but will need] a few more weeks training" and that Zeki Amdouni is back with them on the grass "albeit a bit modified". He also confirmed Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts will still be a "little way off", while Hannibal Mejbri is probably a couple of weeks away, however, his issue is "not as bad" as they initially thought.
The Burnley boss acknowledged they can't deny the challenge ahead is beginning to change with seven games of the season to go: "The longer you go on, every game that skips away that you don't manage to pick up those points, that challenge becomes much bigger."
Parker insisted he has "pure focus" and looking at what might happen is a "drainer". He added: "It can only bring more doubt and you're certainly not going to get the best version [of yourselves]."
You can join Gary Hunt & Steve Eyre on BBC Radio Lancashire for commentary on 95.5FM on Saturday
Should Clarets seek continuity again?published at 08:23 BST 7 April
08:23 BST 7 April
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Kieran Trippier has announced his intention to leave Newcastle at the end of the season. While I don't expect this will happen - it's expected he'll probably end up in Saudi Arabia from what I've read - it did get me wondering whether I would consider having him back at Burnley.
Trippier was part of that early squad of Sean Dyche players, along with Danny Ings. Each stayed with the club for a really good spell before going on to much bigger careers.
And I miss that. It wasn't that long ago that squads were built and stayed together over promotions and relegations. Solid relationships were built with fans and players earned their chants from the terraces. We felt together.
For the longest time now, Burnley have been selling entire squads season after season and fans feel a massive disconnect with the team on the pitch.
When Trippier and Ings left, they left as local boys. One of us. Ings established a disability trust in his name which continued for long after he left.
Do we see this any more? We definitely don't at Burnley, and I wonder if this is the case across the football world or is it just an East Lancashire problem?
I'm at that stage of the season now when I'm done with the misery and trying to shift my mindset to look forward to a new start in the Championship. And for once this feels OK, because the benefit of such a high turnover of players is that I'm probably not going to miss any of them when they're gone.
On to the next chapter. And perhaps we wouldn't go too far amiss to welcome back some old familiar faces.
'Championship will be a competitive league'published at 12:28 BST 31 March
12:28 BST 31 March
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Thoughts that have been dominating my mind this week: my goodness, the Championship next season is going to be tough.
Let's back up for a moment and recap on Burnley's success story in the Championship. Starting with their first promotion to the Premier League in 2009, the Clarets have spent 10 seasons out of 17 in the top flight, a statistic that is often overlooked. In their past four seasons in the second tier, they have finished first twice and second twice.
Two of those seasons have ended with points totalling over 100.
It is perhaps not unreasonable to assume that Scott Parker's side will simply run over the Championship again next season, before their biennial return to the Premier League.
Add to that roster Ipswich,Southampton,Wrexham,Millwall etc - only one of which can get through the last ever four-team play-off - and you have got yourself one heck of a competitive league.
Burnley's board should be worried, especially as they risk going into that campaign with low morale and a fractured relationship between manager and fan base.
While we expect that most, if not all, of the current squad will once again depart Turf Moor in the summer, one player I am keen to hold onto is Zian Flemming. With eight goals in 14 starts in his first ever season in the top flight, he can be proud of his step-up. We are most definitely going to need those goals next season.
Clarets yet to show 'even the smallest molecule of fight'published at 08:23 GMT 25 March
08:23 GMT 25 March
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I have actually run out of things to say about this Burnley side and Scott Parker.
I have also stopped trying to work out what is going on at the club and why this apathetic season has been allowed to continue in the manner it has.
This latest international break coincides with season ticket sales launching. It feels like the perfect opportunity for the club to reset from top to bottom, relieving Parker of his duties, setting out what our goals are and the direction we want to go in.
The alternative? The club leaves Parker in charge and goes into a profoundly important Championship season with staleness of ideas, a fractured relationship with its fans, and a set of players who are either heading out of the door or lacking any self-confidence.
We looked OK for large parts of the first half against Fulham and the opening goal was the result of some really excellent build-up play, but then Parker did what Parker does best. We were too cautious, too defensive and too scared to go for a more comprehensive win.
So we conceded. Then conceded again. And finally gave away a lazy penalty.
I am beyond frustrated by Parker's never-changing approach to games. It doesn't work. It hasn't worked all season. Why on earth does he think it will work now?!
With Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest all in trouble, the relegation battle is starting to get really exciting. It would have been fantastic if we had shown even the smallest molecule of fight in us to have been a part of that.
Instead, we are just patiently counting down until this is all over and we can forget this whole season ever happened.
James: It was a great game. Amazing performance from the team and a well-deserved three points. Super happy that Josh King got his goal as it is a major confidence boost for him and the rest of our season as we push for Europe.
Brian: Job done, but not without another show of misplaced passes and static defending. Burnley gave us a game and (almost) deserved their goal. So proud that King finally got his goal - cracking lad and fully committed. We're all hanging on Marco Silva's decision now and hoping he'll stay...
Miles: We lacked tempo for 60 minutes until Burnley scored. More late subs from an ever-belligerent Silva in that regard. Anyway, we hit third gear thereafter, driven by man of the match Harry Wilson (who will be moving on to bigger things in the summer, no doubt). Reservations remain about Silva's in-game decision-making, but we are up to eighth. COYW!
Steve: Nice result for us. But it leaves us flirting with the European places, which I believe would be our undoing - how many other 'small' clubs with limited playing resources have crashed and burned with the extra workload? Ninth will be just fine, thank you, until we can increase the size/depth of our squad.
Burnley fans
Tom: Burnley are finished now and it's far too late to do anything about it. They have a squad of, at best, average players who are totally demoralised and confused by the strategic and tactical incompetence of their 'coach'. Since that is the man who put this 'squad' together, it is clear who is responsible for the club's decline. It is hard to see how this Burnley can even survive in the Championship since the few players who know how to play football will leave as soon as they can.
Joe: I don't know why I keep watching. It's pathetic and I, among others, just want this season to end. Scott Parker doesn't know what he's doing and it's clear to see - the players have given up, the fans have given up and the owners might not even know this is happening as they're probably sunning themselves with their other club. The future looks grim.
Graham: Another "almost" afternoon. Almost an early lead. Almost the better football. Almost a penalty save. Almost a Premier League team.
John: Sitting back after taking the lead had disaster written all over it. If Burnley had continued playing as they had up to the goal, they would have probably got at least a point.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 10:16 GMT 22 March
10:16 GMT 22 March
Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
Burnley analysis: Clarets toil at both ends of pitchpublished at 18:19 GMT 21 March
18:19 GMT 21 March
Steven Sutcliffe BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Before scoring Zian Flemming had twice been unable to capitalise on opportunities to put the Clarets ahead.
The Dutch forward was unfortunate with a shot that struck Fulham defender Calvin Bassey on the arm but arguably should have done better with a close-range header that was straight at home goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
When he did register his eighth goal of the campaign, it came during a period in which the visitors looked comfortable in the game.
However, Burnley's defensive fragilities came back to bite them.
The Clarets have now kept just one clean sheet in their past 42 top-flight matches on their travels and on this evidence, it is easy to understand why.
Josh King's goal arrived directly from a Martin Dubravka error, while Harry Wilson - a player known for his shooting ability on his left-foot - was allowed to drift inside and unload an effort without a challenge being made by three retreating Burnley defenders.
And to compound matters, Josh Laurent's dismissal for a desperate shove on Jimenez as he faced up Dubravka, was a result of the former Wolves striker being allowed to run through a huge void in the middle of the Burnley back four.
Fulham 3-1 Burnley: What Parker saidpublished at 17:53 GMT 21 March
17:53 GMT 21 March
Media caption,
Burnley manager Scott Parker speaking to BBC MOTD after their 3-1 defeat by Fulham: "For 60 minutes we were very good. We created opportunities, we were brave and had chances that we didn't finish. They had some as well and we had to weather things. Their first goal was a bit of a hammer-blow. We're chasing the game towards the back end and it becomes a bit open. Disappointed with the result but pleased with certain points of our performance."
Three preventative goals? "They were - that's fair. The first and second - [Harry] Wilson coming in on his left foot - these are fine details and the ruthlessness, if you get those a bit wrong you get punished. We've experienced that a lot this year."
On Raul Jimenez penalty: "Initially I was questioning the actual penalty decision. But then someone said you can't step back on a penalty so I was questioning that - that you can't step back on the run up. The fourth official told me that's not the case and that you can do that."
On overall morale in dressing room: "I see a lot of positive things. This group every time they step over the line they are full of commitment. We showed come courage, bravery and certainly the predicament we're in. This is a young squad experiencing different things - technically, tactically and psychologically. I was pleased with certain parts.
"That's the constant drive - you don't have a choice and sometimes in life you don't have a choice. We can be critical when we've fallen short but seven games left and I can guarantee you this team will be fully committed."
Did you know?
Kyle Walker has lost 17 of his 29 Premier League games with Burnley this season, as many defeats as he suffered in his final five campaigns with Manchester City combined (17 in 118 games).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Chelsea".
Fulham v Burnley: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:31 GMT 20 March
19:31 GMT 20 March
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Fulham continue their push for the European places against a Burnley side running out of time to avoid relegation.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at Craven Cottage (15:00 GMT).
Nine points from safety with eight games remaining following one win in 21 matches is the kind of equation which usually leads to only one outcome.
Burnley travel to Fulham in 19th place in the Premier League as they continue to fight for survival, although it is an outcome that becomes unlikelier with each passing week.
The overriding problem for Burnley as they bid to become established alongside the footballing elite is that their best efforts have not been quite good enough.
Scott Parker's side have the lowest expected goals tally of any top-flight team this season and while they have outperformed it better than any team other than Arsenal or Spurs, they remain a side desperately short on quality in the final third.
Image caption,
Burnley have been the least creative team in this season's Premier League
A win at Crystal Palace and then draw away to Chelsea in February were encouraging but four points in two games were followed by a controversial home defeat against Brentford and one-sided loss at Everton and then a frustrating goalless draw at home to Bournemouth - reinforcing the narrative that the Clarets simply can't string together enough match-winning performances in the time remaining.
Of all the grounds to spark an ailing survival bid, Craven Cottage could be the one that suits the relegation-threatened visitors. Burnley have won on three of their past four visits to Fulham, including 2-0 wins on their two most recent trips.
Fulham are still in the hunt for European football, although Marco Silva's side are also suffering from inconsistencies.
They have followed wins at Sunderland and at home to Tottenham by failing to score against Burnley's relegation rivals West Ham United and Nottingham Forest. They did not record a single shot in the latter - the second time that has happened this season.
Fulham last went three Premier League fixtures without a goal in December 2023, a run that included a 2-0 home defeat to the Clarets.
The Cottagers have fielded the oldest average starting XI in the competition in this campaign, but leading the way for the 28-year-olds – and most likely Fulham's hopes of breaking down an obdurate team on Saturday – is forward Harry Wilson.
Image caption,
Fulham have fielded the oldest starting XI on average in this season's Premier League
The Wales international has been involved in 15 Premier League goals this season, scoring nine and assisting six. Wilson could become just the second British player to reach double figures for goals for the Cottagers in a single campaign after Andrew Cole in 2004-05 (12).
Sutton's predictions: Fulham v Burnleypublished at 18:10 GMT 20 March
18:10 GMT 20 March
Fair play to Clarets boss Scott Parker. His side are going to go down, but they have remained competitive over the past few weeks and shown they are capable of getting something in matches whether they are home or away.
I don't see them getting anything here, however. Fulham's form is patchy but I've seen enough of them this season to know they are a good team on their day, when they click.
Marco Silva's side are a team I always seem to get wrong when I make my predictions but if they play the way they can, they will win.
Parker on no new injuries, 'very positive' squad morale & Fulham return published at 14:07 GMT 20 March
14:07 GMT 20 March
Media caption,
Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage (15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Parker confirmed he has not lost anyone to injury this week: "Ready to go again. Had a good training week, a little bit longer preparing for the game. We have had no new injuries, fully prepared and had a good week."
On a draw against Bournemouth last time out: "A point we can build on. The clean sheet and performance generally was good. We dominated in the first half and had we scored it could have been different. There were some positives. Obviously at this stage we needed to win, but we did enough in aspects to do that."
Parker was asked about the importance of staying mentally strong: "That's the biggest challenge now. The atmosphere is very positive in and around here really and that won't drop. Morale and the general feeling at moments can be tough because of the dynamics that we face, but that has never really been a problem here. When you come into training you see a group that is very bright and constantly trying to improve and get results."
More on staying positive: "Over the course of a long season it's something you need to be aware of as a coach, whether that's a little bit more rest at certain times to freshen the mind. For a lot of teams it's about the mental side of things and how fresh you go into games, because it has been a long season."
Is Fulham a must-win?: "It's the same as the last few months. We need a result, of course we do and we need to control the controllables. We need to focus solely on what we need to bring to the game. We need to make the game competitive and give us the best platform."
On facing his former club: "A few familiar faces, a lot of fond memories there. A brilliant club and I'm looking forward to going back there but as always fully focused on us. They are a very good side, brilliant coach, a team that has been together a long time and is established. They have individual talent that can hurt you and have recruited well."
Which side has suffered most from Premier League injuries this season?published at 11:59 GMT 19 March
11:59 GMT 19 March
Image source, Getty Images
We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.
But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?
Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.
The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.
Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.
Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.
The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.
Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.
It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.
Walker not thinking of retirement yetpublished at 11:12 GMT 17 March
11:12 GMT 17 March
Image source, Getty Images
Burnley right-back Kyle Walker says he intends to retire from football on his own terms - but not for a while yet.
The 35-year-old announced his retirement from international football in March, having earned 96 senior England caps.
With 438 Premier League appearances, Walker is considering how he will bow out from playing altogether.
"I don't know if I'll continue playing for a few more years," he said on The Overlap podcast.
"I feel once that time in my head comes where I'm done, I'd have to be true to myself. Leave the game before the game leaves you.
"I'm 36 in May, but I'm feeling good. It takes longer to recover, I can tell you that. One million per cent.
"And now I'm probably doing a lot more defending than I've ever done in my career, but I feel good. It's more for me upstairs and you fight your little battles in your head if you can keep doing it.
"I don't want to tarnish what I've done but I also have a level of respect for myself that I'll do it on my terms.
"I've not done anything else in my whole entire life except football, so it's a big part of me and to let it go, it's hard. But sometimes you have to let it go when you're not good enough anymore."
Walker won six Premier League titles and a Champions League at Manchester City before joining Burnley in 2025.
As he plots out the rest of his career, he dreams of returning to his hometown club.
"I'd like to keep playing for another few years," Walker said.
"It's always been a dream to play for Sheffield United again. To start there at six years old and then leaving at 19 - I spent so many incredible years there.
"I hope to play for them again. I don't know when that will be. I don't know if they will want me."
'Parker isn't a Premier League manager'published at 09:15 GMT 17 March
09:15 GMT 17 March
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Another game that sums up this campaign for Burnley: lacking in pace, lacking in excitement, lacking in any goals, lacking in anything that demonstrates that either Scott Parker or his team have anything close to what it takes to survive in the Premier League.
Three points were there for the taking. They were not taken. A pathetically weak whimper down to the Championship.
We have shown such a painful lack of any drive or desire this season. Every now and again - the Brentford performance being the most recent example - the players show some fight in a "battling performance" and we are presented with the PR spin claiming that these players do have desire and that you can't say that this team isn't leaving everything on the pitch.
I'm sorry, but one swallow does not make a summer, and Parker simply doesn't have what it takes to manage in this league - as painful as that feels to face, because we all wanted him to succeed and have a long and successful career in East Lancashire.
Put simply, I can't wait for this miserable season to be over.
In better news, an update for those who read last week's piece: Burnley Women did indeed beat Wolves at Turf Moor. They take a critical lead at the top of the table, with promotion to WSL2 looking very likely. Three games to go…
Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:45 GMT 16 March
10:45 GMT 16 March
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley v Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Burnley fans
Steve: Some Steller performances, dug in and showed attacking form. Dominated quite a big chunk of the game with Bournemouth having to throw bodies in the way. Just couldn't get the final touch in.
Alan: Could somebody please tell me where Scott Parker gets his rose tinted spectacles. I appreciate it is his role to talk up his team and motivate them in any way possible, but Burnley are worse now than at the start of the season. Performances are generally abject with the occasional decent passages of play, but these are few and far between.
James: Watching Burnley is only slightly less painful than toothache. It hurts, but you keep thinking it can't get worse, whilst knowing deep down it will. Relegation will bring some relief in that the team might play football again for a while, but always with the nagging doubt that the toothache will return. Please for the fans, make changes now and prove there is a long term solution to this pain. Saturday, yet another poor game where two poor sides huffed and puffed, to the detriment of money paying supporters. We are relegated, please in the remaining games entertain us and give us hope.
Graham: A match of two halves... Sadly, both the same! Neither team dominated and, though Burnley played better than recently, it wasn't enough to beat an average Bournemouth team. Burnley can survive but, strangely, need to actually score some goals!
Bournemouth fans
Martin: We were poor today. I think we're missing Semenyo's goals. Kroupi is playing out of position and good chances were spurned by Unal and Brooks. Hill was excellent once again, and it's 10 games unbeaten and another clean sheet.
Dave: Another draw! We have to start putting away the chances we create. Evanilson and Unal are just not goalscorers. Must make some changes in the summer.
Guy: I was born in Winton in 1942. In those days our team at Dean Court used to have a coach. Why not get one now who knows how to motivate the team to score goals?
Terry: Fed up now. I love my team but plus 20 shots, 2 on target, according to stats. Just think if we'd won five of our14 draws -10 more points, further up table. Bring on the Red Devils - spend a week shooting on target! Up the Cherries.
