Burnley 1 Stoke City 0

Last updated : 26 December 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Former Stoke City striker Ade Akinbiyi brought Turf Moor's biggest crowd of the season to its feet with the only goal in a hard fought victory over the Potters.

It was the visitors who enjoyed much of the ball in the opening half with on-loan Blackburn forward Paul Gallagher threatening on a couple of occasions, and Burnley keeper Jensen saving from Mamady Sidibe and the lively Gallagher.

Despite their lack of possession it was the home side who went the closest in the first half as Gifton Noel-Williams planted a header against the bar following good work by Wade Elliott.

It was Elliott who started the move that lead to the only goal of the game as he fed the overlapping Duff, whose driven cross was turned in by Akinbiyi for his 11th Championship goal of the season.

Duff was again the provider moments later as Burnley went close to extending their lead with the full-back's cross being headed inches over by Graham Branch.

The home side controlled the rest of the game relatively comfortably and looked the more dangerous with man of the match Elliott almost sealing the game with a jinking run and left-foot shot from the edge of the box which beat Steve Simonsen, but flashed just wide of the post.

The full-time whistle brought a flare-up between the sides with City striker Sammy Bangoura being accused of slapping the face of Clarets defender Frank Sinclair.