Manuel Benson scored twice as Burnley came from behind to beat Middlesbrough and extend their lead at the top of the Championship to six points.
More importantly for Vincent Kompany’s Clarets, the win puts them 10 points clear of third place in the promotion push ahead of Saturday night’s meeting between fellow hopefuls Norwich and Blackburn.
The defeat at Turf Moor ended Michael Carrick’s run of four wins and a draw in Boro’s last five games, having taken a shock lead against the run of play in the 49th minute.
Clarets winger Benson, trying to keep the ball in play halfway through, only managed to drive it back towards his own goal and, with the Burnley defense caught squarely, Duncan Watmore, a substitute at the half-time, cleared to bring the ball back in front of Aro. Murique.
Belgian Under-21 winger Benson made up for his error with two goals in seven minutes to put the Clarets ahead.
He cut inside Boro left-back Ryan Giles to fire in a left-footed shot that beat Zack Steffen to his near post.
His second goal – and seventh of the season – was even more embarrassing for the USA international keeper as Benson drifted on a cross from wide down the right.
With two Burnley players attacking the ball, Steffen was distracted and remained rooted to the spot as the ball bounced into his net from the far post.
Burnley ensured their home unbeaten record remained intact when Josh Brownhill curled a corner towards the near post, where he eyed Boro midfielder Jonny Howson’s header for a goal against his team.
Boro appeared to have been given a lifeline in the 90th minute when Connor Roberts was deemed to have managed on the goal line as Chuba Akpom’s header bounced off the bar.
It earned the Wales international a red card and handed the visitors a penalty, but Akpom’s kick was saved by Muric, diving low to his right.
