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<H1>Burnley 0-1 Stoke: Sidibe seals victory</H1><DIV class=bylinebox style="MARGIN-TOP: 8px"><DIV class=bylinetext>PA
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Mamady Sidibe's sixth goal of the season earned Stoke a 1-0 victory at Burnley that lifted them back into the Coca-Cola Championship play-off places.
After a low key start, Ricardo Fuller was the architect of the only goal in the 24th minute. The Jamaican rounded Michael Duff with ease and squared a low cross for Sidibe to tap in at the far post.
The Clarets played the entire second half with three in attack but never looked like getting an equaliser. While City move up three places to sixth, Burnley, without a win in nine matches since top-scorer Andy Gray injured his foot in November, remain in 13th.
Gifton Noel-Williams, one of four former Stoke players in the Burnley side, had the first shot in a subdued opening, firing straight at goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from Jon Harley's cross two minutes in. At the other end, Sidibe met Liam Lawrence's corner with a firm header but Clarets goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was well placed.
It was a game of few chances but the Clarets looked comfortable in possession and Eric Djemba-Djemba's pass made space for Noel-Williams, whose effort from 18 yards was deflected wide.
But, with 23 minutes gone, Fuller rounded Duff on his way to the right byline and his low cross was bundled over the line at the far post by Sidibe despite Wayne Thomas being in close attendance.
Three minutes later, Andy Wilkinson's cross fell to Fuller, whose 20-yard strike forced a smart save from Pollitt.
In the 32nd minute, Noel-Williams had an effort cleared off the line by Wilkinson. Fuller was causing Burnley all manner of problems and after beating Harley twice, his drilled shot was saved low by Pollitt.
Ade Akinbiyi's first contribution was a header at the far post from Harley's cross but it lacked the power to trouble Simonsen. Burnley boss Steve Cotterill replaced midfielder Chris McCann with highly-rated striker Kyle Lafferty at the break.
But the Potters continued to pose the greater threat and after an attack involving Fuller and Lawrence that was only half-cleared by Harley, Sidibe's curling strike was pushed around the post by Pollitt. Joey Gudjonsson came on as a substitute for his debut three minutes later, having joined from AZ Alkmaar on Monday.
At the halfway point of the second half Duff met Wade Elliott's corner but headed straight at Simonsen.
Stoke started to sit deeper but Fuller latched onto a stray pass to drive into the Burnley half and feed Dominic Matteo, who shot straight at Pollitt. With 15 minutes left, Fuller skipped past Frank Sinclair after another swift break but hit the side-netting.
In added time the visitors were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty for Duff's challenge on Fuller.
And at the other end, Burnley finally threatened with Simonsen making a double save from Lafferty and Akinbiyi.
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Mamady Sidibe's sixth goal of the season earned Stoke a 1-0 victory at Burnley that lifted them back into the Coca-Cola Championship play-off places.
After a low key start, Ricardo Fuller was the architect of the only goal in the 24th minute. The Jamaican rounded Michael Duff with ease and squared a low cross for Sidibe to tap in at the far post.
The Clarets played the entire second half with three in attack but never looked like getting an equaliser. While City move up three places to sixth, Burnley, without a win in nine matches since top-scorer Andy Gray injured his foot in November, remain in 13th.
Gifton Noel-Williams, one of four former Stoke players in the Burnley side, had the first shot in a subdued opening, firing straight at goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from Jon Harley's cross two minutes in. At the other end, Sidibe met Liam Lawrence's corner with a firm header but Clarets goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was well placed.
It was a game of few chances but the Clarets looked comfortable in possession and Eric Djemba-Djemba's pass made space for Noel-Williams, whose effort from 18 yards was deflected wide.
But, with 23 minutes gone, Fuller rounded Duff on his way to the right byline and his low cross was bundled over the line at the far post by Sidibe despite Wayne Thomas being in close attendance.
Three minutes later, Andy Wilkinson's cross fell to Fuller, whose 20-yard strike forced a smart save from Pollitt.
In the 32nd minute, Noel-Williams had an effort cleared off the line by Wilkinson. Fuller was causing Burnley all manner of problems and after beating Harley twice, his drilled shot was saved low by Pollitt.
Ade Akinbiyi's first contribution was a header at the far post from Harley's cross but it lacked the power to trouble Simonsen. Burnley boss Steve Cotterill replaced midfielder Chris McCann with highly-rated striker Kyle Lafferty at the break.
But the Potters continued to pose the greater threat and after an attack involving Fuller and Lawrence that was only half-cleared by Harley, Sidibe's curling strike was pushed around the post by Pollitt. Joey Gudjonsson came on as a substitute for his debut three minutes later, having joined from AZ Alkmaar on Monday.
At the halfway point of the second half Duff met Wade Elliott's corner but headed straight at Simonsen.
Stoke started to sit deeper but Fuller latched onto a stray pass to drive into the Burnley half and feed Dominic Matteo, who shot straight at Pollitt. With 15 minutes left, Fuller skipped past Frank Sinclair after another swift break but hit the side-netting.
In added time the visitors were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty for Duff's challenge on Fuller.
And at the other end, Burnley finally threatened with Simonsen making a double save from Lafferty and Akinbiyi.
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- T.K.
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