Scott Arfield’s first-half goal took Burnley within a point of the Champions League places as they defeated 10-man Watford at Turf Moor.
Arfield sidestepped Daryl Janmaat and slotted a low shot into the corner of the net right at the end of the first half.
The goal came six minutes after Watford left-back Marvin Zeegelaar was shown a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Steven Defour.
Referee Lee Probert had a number of tricky decisions to make – angering Watford by turning down two second-half penalty appeals.
He upset the home fans too, ruling out an Ashley Barnes goal with just under 20 minutes left as the striker was judged marginally offside.
In a match that had plenty of bite, referee Probert was the centre of attention – and Watford head coach Marco Silva was not impressed.
The Wiltshire official made the game’s big decision when he dismissed Ajax academy graduate Zeegelaar, with opinion split on whether it was the right decision.
Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson felt Probert got it right – as did Burnley manager Sean Dyche – but former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane felt the defender’s feet were too low for it be dangerous play.
“Zeegelaar goes low, hurling himself forward, but that doesn’t look like a red-card offence,” Kilbane said on the BBC’s Final Score. Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes, meanwhile, called the dismissal “harsh”.
Probert was tested several times in the second half. He said no to both of Watford’s penalty appeals, first when Andre Carrillo went down under James Tarkowski’s tackle, then when Richarlison went to ground after Phil Bardsley’s challenge.
Further controversy came at the other end, with Barnes ruled offside as he swept in after Arfield’s pass was deflected off Tom Cleverley. Probert ruled out the goal after consulting with his assistant. This time it was Burnley’s turn to feel hard done by.
There was more to come. When Bardsley caught Richarlison late in the closing stages, Silva ran across the front of his technical area, waving his arms in anger, and had to be told to calm down by the referee – who was probably glad to blow the final whistle.
BBC Sports