Burnley's bleak opening to the campaign under manager Nicky Hayen continued unabated, but a late surge from Bristol City turned the tide, allowing the Robins to claim a 2-1 win in a nervy encounter at Turf Moor. The home side seemed poised to finally get their season moving when Aaron Ramsey put Burnley ahead in the 56th minute, only for City to equalise in the 82nd minute through a header from Rob Dickie. The drama was not over, however, as substitute Yu Hirakawa unleashed a spectacular strike in stoppage time, sealing a third consecutive triumph for Michael Skubala’s side and propelling them into the league's top four. The disappointment among the Burnley faithful was palpable.
Fans quickly directed their frustration at the club’s American owner, Alan Pace, after the late collapse left the Clarets with just two points from five games under the Belgian coach. The team now sit at the very bottom of the Championship, a stark contrast to their Premier League exit only a few months earlier. In terms of personnel, Burnley introduced Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate on his debut after his deadline‑day move from Celtic.
Kyle Walker, the former Manchester City defender, was reinstated to the starting eleven, while recent Brighton signing Igor Julio began the match on the bench. For Bristol City, summer acquisition Gibson Yah earned his first start, whereas Brian De Keersmaecker, who also arrived on deadline day, was deemed not yet ready for first‑team action. The match began with the visitors pressing early. A free‑kick from Rio Cardines was cleared by Walker, but the ball fell to Jason Knight, who threatened the Burnley goal.
The first real chance fell to Ramsey in the eighth minute; a corner found him on the edge of the box, but his effort flew high over the cross‑bar. Bristol City, who were favoured on paper given their recent form, appeared more composed.
Lorent Tolaj unleashed a powerful low drive that clipped the post just before the half‑hour mark. Later, Jed Wallace produced a brilliant strike from the edge of the area, aiming for the top corner, only to be denied by a fingertip save from Burnley keeper Max Weiss. The ensuing corner saw Scott Twine head over the bar, as the Robins continued to apply pressure.
Ramsey attempted another long‑range effort before the interval, but it again sailed over the bar. The half‑time whistle was met with a chorus of boos from a section of the Burnley crowd, reflecting growing unrest. Hayen responded at the start of the second half by substituting Anel Ahmedhodzic and Armando Broja for Andreas Hountondji and Hjalmar Ekdal.
The changes injected fresh energy, and Burnley soon found a breakthrough. In the 56th minute, Hatate received a pass from Max Alleyne on the edge of the box, turned quickly and fed Ramsey, who struck a ferocious shot from 15 yards that left Sam Tickle stranded and gave the Clarets a 1‑0 lead.
Bristol City, however, refused to be subdued. They began to dominate the closing stages, and in the 82nd minute Rob Dickie rose highest from a Cardines corner to power a header into the net, levelling the score.
The tension escalated as the game entered stoppage time. From a subsequent corner, Hirakawa found space on the edge of the six‑yard box and unleashed a low, curling effort that slipped past Weiss, igniting fury among the home supporters.
After the final whistle, both managers reflected on the result. Hayen admitted to feeling the weight of the fans’ disappointment: "I completely understand the fans, they're frustrated and disappointed.
It's not pleasant, but we have to keep fighting and show resilience. There's a lack of confidence and fitness; many players haven't played regularly for 15‑18 months, so they need time to reach peak condition.
I would rather my team be ready today than tomorrow, but with the new signings and returning players, it takes a while. I'm the one asking for patience because I know how results affect everyone. I didn't expect this start and it's frustrating because I can't give the fans what they deserve. Yet I'm not giving up.
I've been in tougher situations and turned them around, and I'm 100 percent sure that if we stick together we can do it again. By the international break, everyone should be at 100 percent fitness and we will be a really strong side, but we have to survive until then and the situation is very difficult at the moment." Skubala, on the other hand, praised his side's performance: "It wasn't a smash‑and‑grab; we deserved the win and it felt great to cross the line.
The first half they didn't give us many problems, and after they scored we looked strong and in control. When we scored, I thought we could push on and we did. It's early days, but it's encouraging to see the team fight and play attractive attacking football.
It shows we have a solid group capable of winning matches at this level." The victory marked Bristol City's third straight win, lifting them into the Championship's top‑four positions and reinforcing their status as promotion contenders. Meanwhile, Burnley must regroup quickly, address fitness concerns, and find a way to halt their slide before the season spirals further out of control.
The match also highlighted the impact of recent signings on both sides, with Hatate and Hirakawa making decisive contributions for Burnley, and Dickie's header proving vital for City. As the league progresses, the narrative surrounding both clubs will hinge on how effectively they can translate these moments into consistent performances. For fans wanting to keep up with the action, EFL games are now available to stream on mobile devices, and Championship highlights can be watched for free online. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000, with entry available at no cost.