Jaidon Anthony struck twice as Burnley overcame an early setback to beat Coventry City 2-1 and move to the top of the Championship table, extending their remarkable unbeaten league run to 27 matches.
Haji Wright had given the Sky Blues an early lead with a controversial fifth-minute finish, but Anthony responded with a goal in each half to turn the contest around in Burnley’s favour at the CBS Arena.
Anthony shines in top-of-the-table tussle
Burnley started brightly as Anthony tested Bradley Collins inside the opening minute, but they found themselves behind moments later. Milan van Ewijk surged down the right and picked out Jack Rudoni, whose shot hit the post before Wright turned in the rebound from close range. Replays suggested the American forward had strayed offside, though the goal stood.
Scott Parker’s side reacted quickly. Coventry midfielder Matt Grimes was caught in possession, and Marcus Edwards and Josh Cullen combined to feed Anthony, who tapped into an open net on 16 minutes.
The game continued at a high tempo, with chances at both ends. Wright missed an opportunity to restore Coventry’s lead, while Josh Laurent came close with a volley for Burnley. But it was the visitors who capitalised on another defensive mistake just 50 seconds into the second half.
A miscommunication between Collins and Bobby Thomas gifted Anthony the ball, and the winger kept his cool to slide in his second of the afternoon through Thomas’s legs.
Burnley held firm despite late pressure, including a point-blank stop from James Trafford to deny Wright a second. Substitute Hannibal went close to adding a third for the Clarets after a clever backheel set up Laurent, but Collins pushed his shot wide.
Coventry pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, even sending their keeper forward for a final set-piece, but Burnley saw it out to record a vital win that may prove decisive in the promotion race.
“First and foremost we’ve come to a really tough place, the stadium was bouncing today, so we knew the challenge ahead of us and I thought we were superb today,” said Parker.
“This division is highly competitive. To be 27 matches unbeaten is something to be really proud of, hopefully we continue that.”
Writer’s view
This was a performance full of grit and opportunism from Burnley. Jaidon Anthony’s class proved the difference, punishing Coventry’s errors with ruthless precision. While Parker’s side rode their luck at times, their ability to capitalise on key moments and defend under pressure reflects the mentality of a side aiming for automatic promotion. The unbeaten streak continues—and so does the momentum.
