The greatest moments of Burnley’s history were beamed on to a big screen before kick-off at Turf Moor, accompanied by famous lines of commentary. The final one, the moment promotion was sealed under Scott Parker in April 2025, was soundtracked by: “Burnley are back in the big time.” That feels a long time ago now, with a return to the Premier League a remote prospect.

Burnley appeared to have this game against Derby sewn up, leading through Zeki Amdouni’s first-half header, but a stunning stoppage-time strike from the Rams’ substitute Mohammed Fuseini soured the Turf Moor mood. It means Burnley’s winless home league run could now reach a year, the Clarets last tasting victory at Turf Moor on 18 October. Their last win in any competition in 90 minutes was on 11 February.

The draw left Nicky Hayen, the under-fire head coach, under scrutiny, though the majority of fans will direct their anger towards Alan Pace, the chair, given the financial problems and off-field turmoil that have plagued the club during a disruptive summer.

Hayen vowed to fight for his future and revealed he would talk with Pace, though could give no assurances he will remain in charge for the next game at Watford on 10 October after the extra-long international break. “I can understand the fans are angry after a start like this, it’s not what they want to see from their team or from myself,” he said. “It’s my responsibility. But I’ve always shown resilience and I’m always going to fight. We need this [international] window to change a lot of things.”

In his programme notes before the game, Pace called for fans to “unite and show togetherness”, after they had chanted for his removal during the home defeat by Bristol City a fortnight ago. There was some early encouragement for Hayen’s team as they sought to make early inroads against Derby. Although a lack of thrust in the final third was evident at times, Burnley made the breakthrough via Amdouni’s forehead, the forward peeling around the back post to nod home Lucas Pires’ corner.

Hayen, who was managing Haverfordwest County in the Welsh Premier League four years ago and was not Burnley’s first choice to replace Parker, celebrated. Having been accused of muddled selections in his tenure so far, he had made some brave calls, dropping the club captain, Kyle Walker, and struggling goalkeeper Max Weiss, and recalling Marcus Edwards, who had been jettisoned after featuring in the campaign’s opening two games.

Those decisions were nearly vindicated, right up to the moment Fuseini pounced, leaving Hayen to bear the brunt of more fan criticism. “It is really difficult [to take],” he said. “You saw the reaction of the players after the game, sitting on the ground, disappointed. We wanted to give the fans the win, I wanted this for them, I can accept their frustration. I want to give back to the fans, I feel we can give back a lot. You saw we were close, we wanted to do it just before the international break.”

The break may represent a chance for Hayen, if he remains, to regroup, though for Pace and the board there remain unanswered questions about the £142m of external debt the club owes, as well as the £81m owed by his firm ALK Capital to the club itself after a leveraged buyout in December 2020. Comparisons with the Glazers’ takeover and ownership of Manchester United have been made. James Holroyd’s recent departure, after 15 months as chief executive, feels reflective of the worsening malaise in the boardroom. Holroyd previously worked under the Glazers at United.

Despite two promotions under the current regime (and three relegations) the Clarets’ financial situation has deteriorated, with some fans now harbouring genuine fears of total extinction if debts are not repaid. Parachute payments may help for a time, but Burnley no longer have the cash reserves they boasted in their debt-free era before Pace and ALK when they enjoyed five successive seasons in the Premier League under Sean Dyche. Such stability now feels a world away and problems are spilling on to the pitch. Money has been spent on transfers, with squad turnover high in recent seasons, but there was particular concern when the £20m sale of Zian Flemming was not reinvested in a new striker, with 39-year-old Jamie Vardy hastily arriving on a free transfer after the transfer window had closed.

Hayen ushered on Vardy and loan signing Largie Ramazani to retain a counterattacking threat against Derby late on, as Burnley hung on. But with a slender lead going into stoppage time, their confidence appeared brittle. Goalkeeper Grégoire Coudert had been forced into a couple of late interventions after Ryan Hedges should have equalised for Derby on the hour mark.

Then, just when it seemed Burnley’s winless streak would be broken, the rocket from Fuseini snatched two points away, leaving them bottom of the Championship. “It’s hard to take,” said Hayen. “It’s frustrating.”