Birthday boy Cleverley goal lifts Watford over Burnley

LONDON: Tom Cleverley marked his 33rd birthday by scoring the only goal as 10-man Waford defeated Burnley 1-0 to go top of the English Championship on Friday.

Hornets captain Cleverley scored on the stroke of half-time at Vicarage Road in a match between two teams looking to make a speedy return to the Premier League ater they were both relegated from English football’s top flight last season.

But on a see-saw night for Cleverley, the celebrations for his first goal since January 2021 were cut short, as was his match, by a knee injury he suffered while scoring.

Hassane Kamara was shown a straight red card for a professional foul nine minutes from time but the Clarets could not make their advantage count.

With Waford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann in fine form, Burnley suffered their first defeat under former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.

Waford’s performances under new boss Edwards may not be prety but they are certainly proving to be effective, with the Hornets recording as many wins (two) in their last two matches at Vicarage Road as they had in their previous 20.

The home side were forced to launch a rearguard action for much of the game against Burnley but still emerged from the 90 minutes with glory and the all-important three points.

The performance of debutant Hamza Choudhury - who only signed on loan from Leicester on Wednesday - also delighted Edwards, who added that he expects Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis to join his squad imminently in a move that will continue the feel-good factor in Herfordshire.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion striker Daryl Dike will be sidelined for at least two months ater a scan confirmed a torn thigh muscle.

The injury is a blow to the 22-year-old American’s hopes of earning a roster spot with the United States at the World Cup, which starts Nov. 20.

West Brom manager Steve Bruce, in his media conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Blackburn in the second-tier Championship, said Dike will be out “at least a couple of months.”

Dike missed West Brom’s 1-1 draw with Waford on Monday ater he had picked up the thigh injury in training on Sunday. Dike came off the bench to play 12 minutes in West Brom’s 1-1 league opener this season at Middlesbrough.