‘I’m not defeated by it’ – Kompany vows to continue the fight against Burnley

Dara O’Shea struggles for possession (Image: PA)

Vincent Kompany insisted he “won’t be defeated” by Burnley’s damaging 4-1 home loss to Newcastle that left his side on the brink of relegation.

After Nottingham Forest won 3-1 at Sheffield United, Burnley are five points behind safety with just two games to play after Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak punished the Clarets before Dara O’Shea’s late header .

Burnley came into the match on a run of just one defeat in eight, having given themselves real hope of a big breakout, but that was virtually dismantled in one afternoon. The relegation could be confirmed against Tottenham next weekend, before the visit of Forest on the final day.

The defeat was even more disappointing given Burnley’s recent form, but all the familiar hallmarks of their season were on display as a strong start came to nothing and they were bowled out too easily at the other end.

“I never see such a result coming,” Kompany said. “It wouldn’t be fun to be a manager if you think this is something that could happen.

“I personally haven’t been beaten or defeated by it in terms of attitude. They are a good team, they have phenomenal attacking players, midfielders who are extremely comfortable on the ball and also extremely aggressive in other situations.

“In these types of matches I am aware of the moments we had in the first fifteen minutes, then you have to seize a match like this. If this doesn’t happen, you will always be exposed to a scenario like this.

“But I want to emphasize that we will never let this game die. The result was known, the score was made, but we kept going, we kept threatening as we could. That’s all I could ask of my players.”

Burnley were awarded an early penalty when Lorenz Assignon went down under a challenge from Guimaraes.

“It was something that could certainly be discussed, because of the way he got his hands on the shirt,” said Kompany.

“But this match wasn’t decided by one goal, the difference was three goals, so I think I have to put everything back in its place. We played against a better team.”