An extra-time goal from Jack Cork sealed a 1-0 win for Burnley at home to Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday night, a result which sees the Clarets progress to the play-off round of the Europa League via a 1-0 aggregate victory.
The game, a huge fixture for the Premier League side, wasn’t televised in the UK due to an apparent lack of interest. However, the Turf Moor crowd were well up for the clash.
Istanbul Basaksehir boasted a number of ex-Premier League stars in their ranks, with former Arsenal and Man City full back, Gael Clichy and ex-Newcastle midfielder Emre Belozoglu both starting, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Gokhan Inler on the bench.
In the first-half, Ashley Barnes fired wide while Phil Bardsley saw his effortsaved by Mert Gunok.
At the other end, Joe Hart produced a couple of good stops to keep the score at 0-0 as the visitors pushed for a goal.
On 66 minutes, Basaksehir boss Abdullah Avci sent on former Arsenal and Man City striker Adebayor to try to pinch that all-important goal.
However, the 90 minutes would go and end goalless, with the contest requiring a period of extra-time to settle.
The winner would eventually come for the hosts on 97 minutes, with Cork producing a fine effort which curled into the back of Gunok’s net.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but Burnley would hold firm to book their place in the play-offs, with Greek giants Olympiacos awaiting them next Thursday.
The win would also see Hart keep a clean sheet in three consecutive games for the first time since March 2016.
3 – Joe Hart has kept a clean sheet in three consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since March 2016. Overdue. pic.twitter.com/v3iIRdWdES
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 16, 2018
Burnley are now one round away from entering the Europa League proper, where Arsenal and Chelsea will join them.
However, with a comparatively small squad, a big European campaign could prove a huge added pressure for the Clarets this season.