Brentford beat Burnley in seven-goal thriller following late VAR drama

Mikkel Damsgaard scored a stoppage-time winner as Brentford beat Burnley 4-3 in a Premier League classic, surviving a stunning comeback and a controversial late VAR decision.

Bees survive scare at Turf Moor

The Bees appeared to be cruising to victory after establishing a commanding three-goal lead inside the first 34 minutes.

However, the hosts mounted a remarkable recovery to level the score at 3-3, only for the Danish midfielder to strike his second of the game in the 93rd minute.

The drama did not end there, as Ashley Barnes thought he had salvaged a point for the Clarets in the 98th minute.

A lengthy VAR check ultimately ruled the ball had struck the forward’s hand, condemning Burnley to a defeat that damages their survival hopes.

Brentford blow early dominance

It was a chaotic afternoon in Lancashire that began with the visitors displaying ruthless efficiency in front of goal.

Damsgaard opened the scoring with a header before Igor Thiago finished a sharp counter-attack to double the advantage.

When Kevin Schade bundled home a third shortly after the half-hour mark, the home support began to voice their frustration at the shambolic defending.

But the visitors were offered a lifeline before the break when Michael Kayode diverted a cross into his own net.

Clarets complete comeback

Burnley emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and reduced the deficit further through Jaidon Anthony.

Kayode was unfortunate again, deflecting Anthony’s strike past his own goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson to give the home side real hope.

The comeback was completed on the hour mark when Zian Flemming powered a header home to send the Turf Moor crowd into raptures.

Flemming even had another effort disallowed for offside as momentum swung entirely in favour of the relegation-threatened side.

VAR denies Barnes heroics

Despite the shift in dominance, it was Thomas Frank’s side who reclaimed the lead against the run of play deep into stoppage time.

Damsgaard claimed the winner with Brentford’s first shot on target of the second half, sparking wild celebrations in the away end.

Yet the match had one final twist remaining when Barnes fired home what looked to be a dramatic equaliser.

Referee Samuel Barrott was not sent to the monitor, but VAR Paul Tierney adjudged there was a handball in the build-up.

The decision secured all three points for the London club in a game defined by attacking flair and defensive fragility.