Burnley's slide towards the Championship continued as a drab 0-0 draw with Bournemouth did little to change their bleak outlook.
Just one win in 21 Premier League matches now leaves Burnley eight points adrift of safety and, on the evidence of this lifeless encounter, relegation is nailed on.
Despite Andoni Iraola promising "excitement" pre-match, this was a game almost entirely devoid of quality, urgency and conviction in the final third until the very last knockings.
The best chance arrived in stoppage time when Bournemouth substitute Enes Unal inexplicably poked wide from close range after a great cross by Adrien Truffert. The full-back also teased a delivery onto the head of David Brooks late on but he glanced the wrong side of the far post.
Jaydon Anthony hit the crossbar from a corner in a rare moment of inspiration in the first half for the hosts, who failed to even land a strike on target after the break. Scott Parker's win percentage at Turf Moor continues to plummet, the lowest of any manager to take charge of at least 20 home games in the Premier League (17 per cent).
Bournemouth, on an impressive unbeaten run stretching to 10 games, stay in the hunt for a European spot but there is no doubt this was a missed opportunity to put themselves right among the competing pack.
Iraola's side, the draw specialists, have been a part of five 0-0s this season - more than any other club - with their 22 efforts at goal against Burnley their highest-ever Premier League tally without scoring.
In a game badly lacking even any illusion of Premier League quality - Bournemouth's fifth goalless draw of the season - Alex Scott stood out as the one player capable of making something happen. He made his mark all over the pitch, his 90 touches of the ball second only to Marcos Senesi. No player on either side could boast a passing accuracy as precise as his (90 per cent).
As well as his class in possession, the midfielder won more duels than any other (14) and drew the most fouls (4) - the only player to consistently confront Burnley's steely defence. In pockets of space and in tight areas, Scott can create. Late in the game he jinxed into the Burnley box and presented Adrien Truffert with the ball to tee up Enes Unal for a likely winner.
Unal ended up missing the target but the sense of adventure in the approach play was nonetheless impressive. The 22-year-old remains fearless in that regard.
Thomas Tuchel is spoilt for central midfield options to represent England at this summer's World Cup but there is surely an argument for the Bournemouth man to be one of them.
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola:
"We had more than enough chances to score. We had a lot of time, we had a lot of shots, but we haven't finished. We haven't scored the goal, so in the end it doesn't matter if you have controlled the game or not, you have to make them pay.
"If we arrive, we went against their goalkeeper straight away in the first minute, and we had corners and good chances. Defensively we are not conceding goals but now we are lacking on the offensive side.
"We haven't arrived properly to the second balls. It's true they had one crossbar hit in the first half, but it's quite clear that we should have scored."
Burnley boss Scott Parker:
"We started a bit slow but grew into the game, we had some big chances in the first half and at this level you need one of them to go in to give yourself a start. That wasn't the case. The longer the game went on it became a bit like a basketball match.
"It was the fine margins of the game, neither team were clinical in their moments.
"Overall, I liked our endeavour. We've been hugely competitive at home, just at times we've fallen a bit short of quality and general upgrade in terms of this division, but one thing that is consistent is our work ethic and spirit. I get that might not be enough."
Speaking about the prospect of relegation, he added: "It was difficult at the start of the season. We knew the challenge, at times we've fallen a bit short. My main focus is here and seeing out the remainder of the season."
