28 Aug 2017

Wood makes immediate impact for Burnley

8:40 am on 28 August 2017

The All Whites striker Chris Wood has scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser to deny Tottenham their first Premier League win at Wembley.

Spurs had looked on course for victory however Wood ensured the Clarets came away with a point with a goal in the second minute of added time when he latched on to Robbie Brady's pass and slotted the ball past Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Chris Wood celebrates his first premier league goal for Burnley.

Chris Wood celebrates his first premier league goal for Burnley. Photo: Burnley FC

Tottenham enjoyed the bulk of possession but were unable to benefit.

"It is special because we got a great point away from home against a really good side. We are glad we have taken something. We created a lot of chances second half and deserved to take something," he said.

"Everybody knows the character at Burnley. We all work hard. We need to take on from last season and push on.

"The Premier League is a lot different from the Championship. There are more good players who can carve you up. It is nice to be back. It is where my dreams and ambitions lie.

"We can improve on last season. It will take hard work. But we are not afraid of that."

Chris Wood (second from right)

Chris Wood (second from right) Photo: Supplied: Burnley FC

Burnley paid Leeds United a club record $26 million for Wood and the New Zealand striker repaid the first part of that with a goal on his league debut for the Clarets.

The 25-year-old scored 44 goals in 88 appearances for Leeds after joining the Championship side from Leicester City in July 2015.

Wood played previously in the Premier League with Leicester and West Brom scoring just once in the top flight before this encounter.

The clinical manner in which he took his goal at Wembley, after coming on as a 57th-minute substitute, shows he has developed into a player ready to grab his chance this time around.

Chris Wood has signed a four year deal with Burnley.

Chris Wood has signed a four year deal with Burnley. Photo: Supplied:Burnley FC

The powerful striker might not be the quickest player in a league where pace is seen as being a key attribute but Wood has plenty of other qualities to become a key figure for Sean Dyche's side following the sale of Andre Gray.

Much has been made of Tottenham's struggles at the new Wembley and they have now won just twice in 12 matches at the rebuilt national stadium.

Mauricio Pochettino's side again lacked much of the intensity which characterised performances in their final season at White Hart Lane when they went unbeaten.

Perhaps the size of the Wembley pitch - which Tottenham had a request to make smaller turned down by the Premier League - is a factor in being unable to reproduce that kind of high-octane approach.

The atmosphere, inevitably, is also noticeably more subdued at their temporary home, compared to the cauldron feel generated inside their old ground.

-BBC