Scott Parker praised James Trafford for giving Burnley a point when he saved two late penalties in a 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Friday.
Fans were kept on the edge of their seats at Turf Moor as the goalkeeper denied Wilson Isidor, who had also hit the woodwork early in the second half, twice in the final ten minutes to earn a valuable point in the race for automatic promotion.
The first save came in the 86th minute – CJ Egan-Riley bringing down Isidor as the referee pointed to the spot, despite the contact apparently taking place outside the penalty area. However, Trafford gambled well and got a strong hand behind the penalty.
The drama wasn't over yet, however, as Sunderland continued to push for a winner. In the 95th minute, Oliver Sonne caught Dennis Cirkin, with the referee awarding another penalty.
Isidor again stepped up from 12 yards and opted to shoot in the same manner but Trafford were once again equal to the task of preserving a point leaving Burnley level on points with leaders Leeds United although they are second due an inferior goal difference.
Sunderland, meanwhile, missed the chance to leapfrog their opponents and move into fourth place.
“I think it's a huge point when you look at it on reflection,” Parker told Sky Sports.
“Two penalties and two great saves and when I look at where I am now, it's a valuable point for us.
“James Trafford has been a vital part of what we have done, a huge talent that still needs to be refined and this year he has really taken that on. They were incredible saves.
“He certainly earned us a point tonight. Those two penalties came at the pace, they were fantastic saves.”
He is him x2
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— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 17, 2025
Burnley remain unbeaten at home thanks to the draw, as Sunderland missed the chance to complete a league double over Scott Parker's men, who have the best defense in the league.
The Black Cats had fourteen chances, five more than their hosts, but managed only three on target, two of which came from Isidor's penalties. Penalties also accounted for 2.86 expected goals (xG), with Isidor responsible for 2.55 of them.
“It was a good game. Burnley started well, they were very good, but it is always difficult to deal with long balls at the back, and at that moment they were good,” Regis Le Bris told Sky Sports.
“But we solved the problems and I think we finished the first half well. The second half was good, we created big chances. We probably deserved to win, but that's the way football is.”
When asked how he felt about Trafford's delaying tactic before both penalties, he added: “It's smart because it's a way to break the rhythm, you can introduce doubt.
“It works for them and the referee has to judge, but it's done and we have to turn the page.”
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