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Match Analysis: Burnley 0-0 Stoke City

Sports Mole takes a closer look back at the stalemate between Burnley and Stoke City at Turf Moor.

Burnley and Stoke City played out an uneventful goalless draw at Turf Moor to bring down the curtain on the Clarets' Premier League campaign on home soil.

The home side, who saw their top-flight relegation sealed last weekend, created all their best chances in the first half, but they were unable to get the better of Jack Butland.

It was Stoke who looked the more likely to find a breakthrough goal following the restart, seeing a couple of good openings fall the way of Mame Biram Diouf, although there was to be no way through for either side in the end.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how the 90 minutes of action unfolded in Lancashire.

Match statistics

BURNLEY
Shots: 11
On target: 4
Possession: 47%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 9

STOKE CITY
Shots: 11
On target: 3
Possession: 53%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 14

Was the result fair?

Just about. Burnley started the game superbly, coming close to finding a breakthrough early on when Danny Ings slalomed his way through, only to be denied by the first of many first-half Butland saves. The England hopeful, who has been given the nod ahead of Asmir Begovic for the final few games of the season, particularly stood out for the Potters in the opening 45 minutes, although he had little to do following the restart.

It is difficult to remember the home side doing much of anything by way of attack in the second half and, while Stoke hardly set the world alight themselves, the visitors edged things and could have won it when Diouf found himself unmarked at the back post shortly before the hour mark. Like Butland up the other end, Tom Heaton remained solid and refused to let the Senegalese through, ensuring that the points were shared at Turf Moor.

Burnley's performance

The Clarets' biggest problem this season has been their failure to score goals, with this the 18th league game they have been unable to find the net. They certainly created plenty of openings in the first quarter of the match, but they lacked the composure needed to convert the chances. That includes 10-goal striker Ings who, on what is likely to be his last appearance at Turf Moor as a Burnley player, failed to make any real impact.

Their hopes of claiming a top-flight double over Stoke progressively got weaker as the game progressed, and you get the sense that Sean Dyche would have been happy with the point as the contest started to become more and more scrappy. Should Ings depart in the summer, then this match proves even more that further recruits must be brought in if Burnley are to mount a promotion charge in the Championship next season.

Stoke City's performance

It could not have been easy for Stoke boss Mark Hughes to motivate his players heading into the final stretch of the season, with very little to play for on the face of it. Credit to the Potters, though, because they have taken four points from their last couple of games to remain well on course to surpassing their previous best Premier League points total.

That tally of 50 was levelled with the point earned in Lancashire today, meaning that a similar result will now be needed against Liverpool in the final round of fixtures. Hughes has guided his side to successive top-half finishes in the top flight, something that has not been achieved in 40 years, which has only added to City's steady progress in recent times. This clash will not go down in folklore, but it was a determined showing which has only strengthened Stoke's hold on ninth place - a position they will remain in regardless of events between now and the end of the season.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Jack Butland: He had little to do in the second half in terms of keeping out shots, but he was hugely impressive prior to the interval to deny the hosts on numerous occasions. The best of the bunch was arguably his save to thwart Kieran Trippier's attempt, just seconds after doing likewise when Ings failed to find a way through from close range. It could be enough to land him a regular first-team spot next season, although a lot of that depends on the uncertain future of Begovic.

Biggest gaffe

Diouf often found himself in promising positions throughout the course of the game, but none more so than when he was picked out six yards from goal four minutes before the break. Jonathan Walters did well to find his teammate, yet Diouf could only nod wide with the goal gaping.

Referee performance

A quiet afternoon for Michael Oliver overall, with no real major decisions to make. Burnley supporters wanted a penalty when Ryan Shawcross clattered into Ashley Barnes, but there was not a great deal in it and the official appeared to get the call to wave play on correct.

What next?

Burnley: Dyche's men conclude their Premier League journey with a trip to Villa Park next weekend, where they will take on an Aston Villa side who have one eye on the upcoming FA Cup final.

Stoke City: The Potters can end their season on a real high by recording their highest ever points tally in the top flight, should they claim a positive result at home to Liverpool in eight days' time.

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Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City and George Boyd of Burnley compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Stoke City at Turf Moor on May 16, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
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