Burnley’s Tom Heaton proud of Gordon Banks comparisons

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The Clarets’ stopper made a breathtaking save to deny former teammate Charlie Austin at St.Mary’s last weekend.

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton has expressed his delight to the Burnley Express, after his stupendous one-handed save in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Southampton led to comparisons with legendary England stopper Gordon Banks.

The Clarets’ skipper was in remarkable form against a rampant Southampton side at St.Mary’s, making 11 saves in total, a Premier League high for this season.

However, despite making a plethora of impressive stops to halt Claudio Puel’s side, the 30-year-old’s remarkable first-half save from former Burnley star Charlie Austin was undoubtedly the pick of the bunch.

Austin looked to have broken the deadlock in the fifth minute, after meeting an inviting inswinging cross with an expertly guided header towards the bottom corner, however, the formidable Heaton had other ideas.

With Austin preparing to reel off in celebration, the England international plunged to his left-hand side and outstretched his arm to get a fingertip on the powerful effort, somehow guiding it around the post to the disbelief of a stupefied St.Mary’s crowd.

Unfortunately for Heaton, his heroics between the sticks could not inspire Sean Dyche’s side to a positive result, as The Clarets’ back-four left their captain criminally exposed, allowing Puel’s in-form Saints to cruise to a comfortable 3-1 victory.

In the wake of the game, Heaton’s outrageous save was widely-praised by pundits and fans alike, with many comparing the stop to Gordon Banks’ infamous save to deny Pele in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, a stop which many consider to be the best of all time.

Speaking to the Burnley Express, Heaton expressed his pride at being mentioned in the same breath as the Three Lions’ legend:

“I’ve seen a few of the comparisons this week,” Heaton said.

“In fairness to Gordon Banks, it is an incredible save from Pele in the game between England and Brazil. That’s some stage to do it on.

“To be even talked about in the same breath is incredible for me really. That’s about as far as it goes in terms of that though.”

The ever-reliable Heaton has been one of Burnley’s standout performers so far this season, and the 30-year-old’s fine form will have to continue if The Clarets are to stand a chance of shaking off their unwanted ‘yo-yo club’ tag by maintaining their Premier League status.

Next up for Sean Dyche’s side is a home clash with high-flying Everton, and the mettlesome Clarets will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Southampton by springing an upset on Ronald Koeman’s Toffees.