JAY Rodriguez struck a hammer blow to Cherries with a late, late winner for Burnley in a scrappy, physical contest at Vitality Stadium.

The game looked to be drifting towards a goalless conclusion with neither goalkeeper severely tested for the entirety of the contest.

But that was until the 89th minute when substitute Rodriguez rose to turn an Ashley Westwood cross into the bottom corner, despite the attempts of a scrambling Aaron Ramsdale.

Cherries threw men forwards in the five additional minutes but were unable to find a route back into the contest, instead left to dwell on an anguishing 1-0 defeat.

Eddie Howe named an unchanged XI from last week’s victory at Chelsea with the only change coming on the bench where fit-again Callum Wilson replaced Alex Dobre as Cherries’ injury list reduced to nine players.

Burnley made one switch from their win against Burnley with Charlie Taylor coming in for Erik Pieters at left-back.

The visitors, seeking just a second away win since emerging victorious in this corresponding fixture last season, set their stall out from the off with Simon Francis heading clear a ball into the box.

And the Cherries skipper was soon on the receiving end of a robust challenge from striker Ashley Barnes, which set the tone for a scrappy and physical half. Despite the forward catching a stooping Francis in the head with his studs, no punishment other than a free-kick was awarded by referee Martin Atkinson. Francis returned to action with a heavily bandaged head.

Chances remained few and far between as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale dealt well with high balls into the area, while at the other end Jefferson Lerma blazed over the crossbar.

The home physios were again called into action 10 minutes before the break after Ryan Fraser was clattered from behind by a leaping James Tarkowski. The Scot landed awkwardly face first, but, bloodied and shaken, he continued.

Howe opted for an attacking switch at the break, introducing Wilson in place of Cook with Joshua King moving out to the right.

As the rain lashed down, neither side were able to retain control of possession with the game settling into a rhythm of fouls and set pieces with five bookings early in the second period, including one for Diego Rico. That forces the Spaniard out of the Boxing Day clash with Arsenal having picked up five cautions this campaign.

Chances gradually began to fall the way of Cherries with Gosling firing narrowly wide while Chris Mepham also headed off target. In between the effort, VAR checked rouge arm from Philip Billing which caught Barnes in the head, but no card was given.

Burnley turned to their bench, introducing Aaron Lennon and Jay Rodriguez, but it was Cherries who were looking the likelier scorers with Lerma volleying wide from 20 yards.

Seeking a late winner, Howe threw on Dominic Solanke in place of Billing, but it was a Burnley sub who won the day.

From Westwood’s cross, the ball struck the raised arm of Francis, diverting it onto the chest of Rodriguez and the ball had just enough force to nestle into the bottom corner.

Cherries carved out one late attack, claiming a penalty as the ball appeared to strike the arm of Tarkowski in the box, but nothing was given and the hosts were beaten.

Cherries: Ramsdale; Stacey, Francis, Mepham, Rico; L Cook (C Wilson, h-t), Billing (Solanke, 86), Lerma, Gosling, Fraser; King.

Unused subs: Simpson, Surman, Kilkenny, Stanislas, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: Rico, Francis.

Burnley: Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick (Lennon, 65), Westwood, Cork, McNeil (Brady, 82); Barnes (Rodriguez, 75), Wood.

Unused subs: Long, Pieters, Drinkwater, Hart (g/k).

Booked: Westwood, Barnes, McNeil, Hendrick.

Referee: Martin Atkinson