Nathan Tella and South African forward Lyle Foster scored the goals as English Championship leaders Burnley cruised to a comfortable 3-0 home win over 10-man Wigan Athletic at Turf Moor.
Tella, who is of Nigerian descent, got a brace to take his season tally to 14 goals, while Bafana Bafana attacker Lyle, who moved from Belgian side Westerlo in the January window, opened his accounts for the Clarets.
The points are ours! ???? #BURWIG pic.twitter.com/OSuR7lCjDl
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) March 11, 2023
The Southampton loanee broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with a powerful header past goalkeeper Ben Amos off a pinpoint cross from Moroccan winger Anass Zaroury.
The Latics were reduced to ten men shortly after as Tunisian defender Omar Rekik was sent off for a second bookable offense. The 21-year-old brought down Tella just outside the penalty area after initially losing the ball to the pacey midfielder.
Burley kept pressuring the visitors, and it paid off just two minutes after the second-half restart. Following a corner kick, German defender Jordan Beyer flicked the ball to the back post for an unmarked Tella to head it home in the 47th minute.
Almost half an hour later, Foster got Burnley’s third with a deft finish from an almost impossible angle.
The win helped the Clarets complete their first ever league double over Wigan, as they open a 13-point lead over Sheffield United in second place.
Vincent Kompany’s side have been dominant all season and are currently unbeaten in 16 league matches with 80 points from 36 games, including 23 wins, 11 draws, and just 2 losses.
They will travel to the MKM Stadium to face Hull City on Wednesday as they look to extend their lead at the top and win their fourth second division title.
