Barnes at the Double as Burnley Crush Millwall 5-1 in FA Cup

Barnes at the Double as Burnley Crush Millwall 5-1 in FA Cup Rout

Burnley stormed into the FA Cup fourth round with a commanding 5-1 win over Championship side Millwall at Turf Moor. Veteran striker Ashley Barnes rolled back the years with a clinical brace to help the struggling Premier League side rediscover some joy amid a tough league campaign.

The Clarets, winless in 12 Premier League matches, showed early intent. Jaidon Anthony linked up with Jacob Bruun Larsen to set up Barnes for a cool opener inside 11 minutes. Loum Tchaouna doubled the advantage in the 35th minute, firing in a low strike from the edge of the box.

Before the break, Bruun Larsen picked up his second assist, this time feeding Anthony, who fired home with a first-time finish to make it 3-0 at half-time.

Burnley kept up the pressure in the second half. Barnes grabbed his second of the game in the 65th minute after Millwall failed to clear a low cross from Anthony. Jaydon Banel came off the bench to score his first goal for the club in the 89th minute, making it 5-0 after capitalizing on more poor defending.

Millwall did manage a late consolation through Josh Coburn, who lofted the ball over Max Weiss in stoppage time, but the damage was long done.

Despite making eight changes, Scott Parker’s Burnley side dominated, with back-up goalkeeper Max Weiss impressing on his third start. The 21-year-old made three crucial saves to ensure the Clarets kept control.

Burnley now turn their focus back to survival in the Premier League, with a daunting trip to champions Liverpool next. Millwall, meanwhile, return to Championship action as they push for promotion with crucial games against Watford and Coventry.