EPL: Burnley Edges Sunderland 2-0 in Thrilling Encounter

Burnley secures 2-0 win over Sunderland in Premier League

Burnley kicked off their Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Sunderland, thanks to goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony.

Burnley finally got their Premier League season off to a winning start, beating fellow newcomers Sunderland 2-0 at Turf Moor. This match had a “six-pointer” feel to it, and Burnley came out on top, thanks to goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony.

Burnley's win moves them up the league table, while Sunderland will look to regroup after a tough loss. The match saw some notable performances from Burnley's players, who worked together to secure the 2-0 victory 

The Black Cats had a close call early on when Dan Ballard headed the ball back across the goal, and Eliezer Mayenda tried to capitalize on the opportunity. However, Martin Dúbravka pulled off an incredible save from point-blank range, keeping the scores level. This moment set the tone for a tense match, with both teams creating scoring chances.

The Black Cats continued to threaten, with Chemsdine Talbi having a glorious opportunity to take the lead. Unfortunately for them, Talbi's effort sailed inches wide of the far post, leaving the scoreline unchanged. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't find the back of the net, and the match remained deadlocked.

First home match of the season, and first win of the season for Burnley! 👏 pic.twitter.com/kJuJKITB3E

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 23, 2025

Burnley's initial attack of note saw Lyle Foster score a potential goal, but the VAR intervened, and the referee confirmed a foul on Jenson Seelt in the buildup. This moment encapsulated the challenges both teams faced in creating meaningful opportunities despite enjoying periods of dominance on the pitch.

The match lacked quality, with both Burnley and Sunderland struggling to translate their periods of dominance into tangible advantages. This resulted in a closely contested game where neither side could gain a decisive upper hand, setting the stage for a tense and unpredictable matchup.

The match saw both teams create opportunities, but Burnley's clinical finishing proved decisive.

The first half saw several missed opportunities for both teams. Granit Xhaka had a promising chance on the stroke of halftime, but he snatched at his effort and dragged it wide of the post. Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony also had a chance to score, but he headed Hannibal’s cross wide at the far post, failing to hit the target.

Scott Parker's team came out strong after halftime, determined to capitalize on their chances. Their efforts paid off just two minutes into the second half when Josh Cullen scored the opening goal. A neat sequence of play down the left flank ended with Cullen curling the ball home, thanks to a perfectly weighted flick from Jaidon Anthony.

The match was briefly interrupted due to faulty floodlights, but the flow of the game didn't change much even after Regis Le Bris made a triple substitution around the hour mark. Sunderland's new players struggled to gain a foothold in the game, and Burnley's lead remained intact. The Clarets continued to dominate, and their second goal came courtesy of Jaidon Anthony, sealing a 2-0 win.

Sunderland's silver lining lay in the fact that Burnley didn't appear particularly menacing, keeping the match on a knife-edge as the final stages approached. Despite Burnley’s struggles to create scoring opportunities, Sunderland couldn't capitalize on their chances.

As the match neared its end, Sunderland ramped up the pressure, but Burnley's defense held strong. Given their impressive defensive record last season, where they became the best defensive side in EFL history, it came as no surprise that they were able to withstand Sunderland's late onslaught and secure a 2-0 win.

In fact, they made the victory a whole lot more handsome in the 88th minute when Anthony broke clear, rounded Robin Roefs, and rolled into an empty net. 

The win puts Burnley level on points with Sunderland, who suffered a harsh reality check in the form of their first season defeat after last week's impressive victory over West Ham United. Burnley fans can take heart from the victory, while Sunderland will look to regroup after a tough loss.

The composure from Jaidon Anthony 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/U5VXXSN5D8

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 23, 2025