Burnley missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone this afternoon as they played out a 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor.
The hosts had the best chance of the game after just five minutes when Ryan Mason's errant pass sent Danny Ings through on goal, but the striker could only fire straight at Michel Vorm.
Clear goalscoring openings were few and far between at either end of the field, however, as the two sides shared the spoils.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at whether a draw was a fair result.
Match statistics
BURNLEY
Shots: 15
On target: 4
Possession: 40%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 9
TOTTENHAM
Shots: 12
On target: 2
Possession: 60%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 5
Was the result fair?
Neither side can have many complaints at this match ending all square, although if either team deserved the win today then it was the hosts. They created the better chances and did most of the running throughout, despite seeing less of the ball than their opponents. Ings should have scored early on and tested Vorm with another fine effort towards the end of the first half, while George Boyd also came close at the end of the second period.
Spurs, meanwhile, rarely threatened to get in behind Burnley and only two of their 12 shots came from inside the penalty area. Burnley comfortably dealt with the visitors for the vast majority of the match and never looked in any real danger of conceding today. Spurs did see more of the ball, but it all came in front of the Clarets and was too slow and predictable to cause them any major problems.
This was far from a classic. There has been some memorable moments in the Premier League this weekend, but this was a very forgettable encounter. The result does not do much for the ambitions of either side in the closing stages of the season and, with plenty riding on this game, it was disappointing to see it end up being a bit of a nothing encounter.
Burnley's performance
You know exactly what you are going to get with Burnley, and they provided yet another energetic and hard-working display today. They may not boast the sort of individual talents that other teams in the division do, but there are no passengers in this side and the incredible work ethic throughout the whole team means that they are never an easy touch. Spurs found that out today, getting very little joy when going forward and failing to break the hosts down.
Sean Dyche's side began the match brightly and were pressing Spurs high up the pitch, forcing the sort of errors that gifted Ings his early chance. They eased off a little in that regard as the first half wore on, but never lost their shape and put in a very diligent and disciplined performance. They are clearly very well drilled under Dyche and were marginally the better side today, despite the more illustrious nature of their opponents.
Victory today would have lifted the Clarets out of the relegation zone, so they may be a touch disappointed not to have picked up all three points, but they are now only behind Sunderland on goal difference and still very much in with a chance of survival. A home match against Arsenal next time out brings an end to a torrid run of fixtures and, with the likes of Leicester City, Hull City and Aston Villa still to play, Dyche will fancy his side's chances of staying in the division.
Tottenham's performance
With Manchester United and Arsenal both winning yesterday, Spurs went into this game knowing that only a victory would really keep them in the Champions League race. That makes their subsequent performance even more disappointing, with too many of their players seemingly having given up on the top four already. Their display had the end-of-season feel to it, with Spurs far too languid to cause Burnley any serious problems throughout.
Credit should go to the hosts for making things difficult for Spurs, but the visitors certainly could have done more themselves. They had 60% of the ball but moved it too slowly and kept it in positions that posed no threat to Burnley. Their build-up was predictable, and they failed to get the likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen involved in dangerous positions at any stage of the match. They were limited to long-range shots for the most part, and it was all too easy for Tom Heaton in the Burnley goal.
Victory for Manchester City on Monday would leave Spurs 10 points off the top four which, with seven games remaining, is a big ask for them to reel in. They would have climbed up to fifth with a win today, but it was such a tepid and disappointing display and they are perhaps fortunate to have even come away with a point. Mauricio Pochettino's side cannot afford to put in many more performances like this in the remainder of the campaign if they are to secure European football.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Michael Duff: There were not any standout performers this afternoon, with Burnley putting in a fine team effort and Spurs failing to sparkle at all. Duff was at the heart of a disciplined defensive performance, though, and coped with the threat of Kane fairly comfortably.
Biggest gaffe
This match was probably best summed up by a Paulinho effort in the second half. Having burst into a promising position and with teammates in support, the midfielder went for goal with the outside of his boot, only to toe-poke it straight in front of him and behind for a goal kick. It was one of the worst shots of the season.
Referee performance
Martin Atkinson was lenient on a few occasions today, keeping his cards in his pocket whenever possible. There were one or two penalty shouts, but he got each one right on a solid afternoon for the official.
What next?
Burnley: The Clarets welcome another visitor from North London next Saturday as they host in-form Arsenal.
Tottenham: Spurs, meanwhile, face Aston Villa at White Hart Lane hoping to breathe new life into their European bid.
Barney Corkhill
