Sunderland dig in to frustrate Vincent Kompany and runaway leaders Burnley

Burnley were left frustrated by a dogged Sunderland performance in a goalless draw that leaves the Championship leaders still needing eight points to be sure of promotion.

That should still be a formality for Vincent Kompany’s side, with eight games remaining and meetings with their closest rivals, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, over the Easter weekend.

But, as his team extended their unbeaten league run to 18 games, Kompany was left to consider a rare night where his team lacked a cutting edge in attack against the Black Cats. Indeed, as Burnley edged a step closer to an immediate return to the Premier League under their first-year manager, they failed to score in a game at Turf Moor for the first time since a defeat to Manchester City almost exactly 12 months ago.

With promotion all but assured, there was a lack of urgency in Burnley’s play and it was not until the 26th minute that the Sunderland goal was seriously threatened for the first time.

Josh Brownhill’s left-wing corner was only half cleared by Pierre Ekwah and the Burnley defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis scrambled a shot goalwards that the goalkeeper Anthony Patterson did well to stop on his line.

Later in the first period, as Burnley’s slick passing showed more incision, Brownhill’s inspired overhead pass let in Ashley Barnes who curled a left-foot shot just over. With the last attack of the half, Manuel Benson selflessly set up Brownhill, whose shot was blocked behind by two defenders.

At the other end, Sunderland forced Arijanet Muric into a good, full-length diving save after 30 minutes as Patrick Roberts cut in from the right and sent a long-range shot heading towards the far corner of the Burnley goal.

The resulting corner ended at the feet of Dan