Burnley’s spirits were high following a run of one defeat in their last eight games, dragging back a deficit of 11 points as recent as March to just two before kick-off on Saturday.
At 0-0, news filtered through from Bramall Lane that Forest had fallen 1-0 behind at already-relegated Sheffield United, but it was the only cheer of another dismal performance.
Kompany’s side had been much improved but put in a performance akin to what fans had seen early in the season when they lost all seven of their opening games.
This was their 22nd defeat from 36 games during this campaign and no side has stayed up in the top-flight with as many notches in the ‘L’ column.
“In the end I am not beaten or defeated by it personally in terms of my attitude,” said Kompany. “They are a good side with phenomenal attacking players, midfielders comfortable on the ball and aggressive in other situations.
“In these types of games I am conscious those moments you have liked in the first 15 and seize a game, if you don’t then you are exposed to a scenario like this.
“We never let this game die, the result and score was done but we kept going, kept threatening and that is all I can ask my players to do.”
There are still six points available to pick up against Tottenham and Forest, which would take them up to 30, but it might still not be enough as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side await the result of their appeal after being docked four points for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.
Turf Moor was barely half-full at the final whistle, fans marching out in their numbers long before the end knowing there is likely no way back from this result.
A defiant Kompany added: “For us, we have to look at that Spurs game as the final game of the season. If the opposition teams lose and we win, what are you going to write then? That’s all it is.
“If they lose and we win, all of a sudden we have a different discussion before the next game. If we get a bonus with a game against Forest, then that’s our final, that’s how we have to look at it.”