Burnley 1 West Brom 1: Report as John Swift rocket earns Albion deserved point

For the second time in a couple of weeks, Tony Mowbray's side bloodied the nose of an automatic promotion contender in the Championship and were good value for a 1-1 draw.

John Swift thrashed in a remarkable free-kick on 20 minutes - a sure-fire Albion goal of the season winner - to stun Turf Moor.

But Albion's lead lasted just three minutes with a moment to forget for goalkeeper Wildsmith. The Baggies shot-stopper spilled a Lucas Pires shot for Zian Flemming to tap home.

Otherwise it was unsurprisingly a night in which defences excelled. Although Albion are good value for credit in that regard as their defence was full of changes, with a change of formation to boot.

Either side could have snatched a finely-poised contest. Both hit the bar in the second period and while a draw was the fair result, it will be Mowbray more pleased with a point.

Clarets boss Scott Parker saw red from referee Gavin Ward at full-time, after his side had been denied a late penalty, and defender CJ Egan-Riley was dismissed at full-time for enticing a pile-on after needlessly tripping Will Lankshear.

Mowbray's selection raised eyebrows an hour before kick-off. Five changes to the XI included Mason Holgate, Ousmane Diakite, Grady Diangana, Swift and Karlan Grant all called amid a change in system to a back three. Diakite, a midfielder by trade, was a colossal in defence.

Each of Albion's changes were outstanding on a night of impressive performances from the Black Country visitors.

An unfamiliar bench included Devante Cole and Gianluca Frabotta, rarely used all season, and academy defenders Jamal Mohammed and Michael Parker for the first time in a senior clash.

Darnell Furlong (suspended)m, Kyle Bartley and Tom Fellows missed out altogether, with Mikey Johnston and Jayson Molumby subs.

Burnley took charge of the ball for five or 10 minutes but Albion quickly settled well.

Grant nodded the contest's first chance into the six-yard box from a Mason Holgate cross which keeper James Trafford did well to gobble up, but it signalled the Baggies' intent.

From that 10-minute point they improved with the ball and showed positive intent and worked the ball well when in possession.

Diangana crashed a strike nearer to the corner flag than goal after a neat move and another had striker Adam Armstrong just offside. But Albion's intent was there.

Another neat move and Burnley foul worked a chance just outside the D of the Burnley box. Up stepped Swift. 

Albion's No.10 did the next part with aplomb as he sent a dipping strike with his instep right into the top left corner. Trafford barely blinked. It was a rocket arrowed inch-perfectly.

The Baggies looked confident with their lead - but it last just three minutes.

The Clarets hit back, but it came gift-wrapped in blue and white striped wrapping paper.

There appeared little threat on when the hosts overloaded Albion's right with Price at wing-back and delivered a cross. It was cleared to the edge of the box, but fell to left-back Lucas Pires.

Pires' right-footed strike from 18 yards was tame and straight at Wildsmith, but the keeper could only parry the effort at the feet of frontman Flemming to gleefully convert.

It was a horror moment for the goalkeeper, in front of the travelling supporters. Burnley tails raised and Wildsmith tries to recover with a couple of punches from crosses.

Burnley cranked it up either side of the half hour mark as defender Egan-Riley swept a low strike wide from range. That was about their only other opening of the half as the makeshift Baggies, led by the outstanding Diakite, stood firm.

The other big chance of the first 45 minutes came to Mowbray's men. Diakite launched it with a storming challenge and Diangana picked out Armstrong in the box with a fine through ball.

Armstrong got free of Maxime Esteve but had Trafford narrow the angle and the striker could not slide his finish past the keeper.

A lively start to the second period saw Callum Styles' cross land to opposite wing-back Price and his half-volley flew just a foot or so over the crossbar.

Seconds later down the other end Burnley winger Jaidon Anthony's curled strike from the corner of the box kissed the crossbar on its way over.

It was a largely even contest in the second period with little to pick between the two sides in a cagey but watchable affair.

Mowbray turned to Johnston and Lankshear with a little over 15 minutes to go.

Wildsmith was sharp off his line to claim a pass on a rare occasion the Clarets made a raid beyond the Baggies defence.

The points were there to be taken and Albion almost did with 10 minutes left through Johnston.

A well-worked move fed Price on the right. His deep delivery fed Swift who teed up the winger on the edge of the box. Johnston's rocket crashed against the bar with Trafford a statue.

Burnley weren't done and down the other end a fine Pires delivery from the left was begging for a Marcus Edwards touch, but the superb Styles dived in to prevent a certain goal.

At least seven minutes of stoppages were not enough to separate the sides as both defences shone. Late, late drama saw deafening claims for a Burnley penalty for a Diakite handball, but Ward was unmoved.

Egan-Riley saw red on the full-time whistle for a needless trip on Lankshear before Parker was also dismissed by the busy Ward.

Albion (3-4-1-2): Wildsmith; Holgate, Diakite, Heggem; Price, Mowatt (c), Swift, Styles; Diangana (Johnston, 74); Armstrong (Lankshear, 74), Grant.

Subs not used:  Griffiths, Frabotta, Mohammed, Parker, Molumby, Dike, Cole. 

Burnley (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Cullen, Brownhill (c); Edwards (Sarmiento, 87), Hannibal (Laurent, 75), Anthony (Koleosho, 87); Flemming (Foster, 63, Barnes, 87).

Subs not used: Hladky, Sonne, Worrall, Benson.

Referee: Gavin Ward