Thomas-Asante’s 98th-minute leveller denies Burnley top spot

Brandon Thomas-Asante celebrated his West Brom debut with a 98th-minute equaliser to earn the Baggies a 1-1 draw with Burnley at The Hawthorns.

Thomas-Asante had barely touched the ball since being introduced as a 70th-minute substitute as West Brom looked to rescue a point, but found himself in the right place at the right time to bundle home from six yards after John Swift’s cross was not cleared.

Jay Rodriguez had earlier slotted Burnley ahead from the penalty spot after Arijanet Muric’s superb goal-kick picked out Nathan Tella, and David Button brought him down in the West Brom box.

The Baggies have still won only one of their opening eight games but were well worth a point in a game where they twice hit the woodwork and saw a number of other chances go begging.

Kyle Bartley’s header from an early corner kissed Muric’s bar on its way over, before the goalkeeper’s glancing touch turned Jed Wallace’s goalbound effort onto the post before half-time.

Despite continuing to create after the break, it was Burnley who looked the most likely to score in the second period when Conor Townsend’s weak header was intercepted by Darko Churlinov, who raced through on goal before hammering another effort against the woodwork.

That all changed deep into added time when Swift’s cross fell kindly for Deadline Day arrival Thomas-Asante, who got his West Brom career off to the perfect start with an instinctive effort to earn the hosts a share of the spoils.

More to follow…

What’s next?

West Brom take the short trip across the Midlands to Coventry on Saturday, September 10; kick-off at 3pm. Burnley are back on Sky Sports Football next Friday night, when they host Norwich at Turf Moor; kick-off at 8pm.