Burnley fumes over controversial late goal in draw with Luton

• Luton Town scored a controversial late equalizer against Burnley.
• The Burnley manager was incensed by the goal.
• The goal was allowed to stand after a VAR review.

The questionable late goal by Luton Town’s Carlton Morris left Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, players, and part-owner JJ Watt incensed on Friday.

Morris got the equaliser with a header in the 92nd minute, with the match concluding in a 1-1 tie, but Burnley complained that Luton’s Elijah Adebayo lunged into and hindered goalkeeper James Trafford.

After a protracted VAR review, Kompany was left fuming on the sidelines as the goal stood.

“I think any ex-pro understands what the striker (Adebayo) is doing in this case,” Kompany told the BBC. “First, I expect the referee to see it, none of the Luton players have celebrated; the look of the striker is to the referee to see if he got away with it.

“Fair play to the striker; he tries his luck; he blocks the goalkeeper. He looks across to the referee, and you think surely not. VAR will sort this out. Luton players are not celebrating,” he added. “I thought (Luton) were incredible today, but the moment there, the referee has got to get it right.”

In the battle to avoid relegation, Burnley’s decision could be costly, as the draw left them four points behind Luton in 18th position.

The goal, as Kompany said, comes after other significant events that confused him, such as the “softest penalty given against us against Aston Villa” and a goal that was disallowed against Nottingham Forest.

“I don’t know what to say to my players. It’s ridiculous,” the Belgian said. “It keeps happening. It’s incredible. It’ll balance off, I hope.

“This can’t decide a game. Something done by a bit of magic, but not this. Not this.”

Fans flocked to social media with grievances about the goal, proving Kompany was not alone in his thoughts.

“I’m new to this ownership thing, so if I get fined by the Premier League, so be it… This is as blatant and obvious of a foul as you could have,” Watt posted on X. “To miss this on the field AND miss this on VAR is truly disgraceful.”

After making an investment in Burnley at the end of the previous season, Watt and his wife Kealia, a player for the U.S. women’s national team, have been touring the globe to promote the squad.

“Elijah Adebayo does not go for the ball; it has to be a foul,” former England defender Rio Ferdinand said on TNT Sports in his role as a pundit.

“I can’t get my head around the decision. None of us quite understand it and we don’t get any information on the pitch,” Burnley defender Dara O’Shea said of the goal. “We’re bitterly disappointed with the result.”

Rob Edwards, the manager of Luton, expressed empathy with their opponents’ annoyance.

“That is a big moment in the game and we deserved that,” Edwards told TNT. “I do feel for Vinny (Kompany) and if it is a foul I will be honest.”

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