The Clarets put on a truly impressive performance at Old Trafford against Manchester United yesterday but got no reward for their efforts with Sir Ferguson`s men flattered by their final 3-0 victory. Sir Alex himself said after the game that his side could have been embarrassed and they could have been had we put away one of our numerous chances at key times during this match. Burnley bravely kept United at bay in the first half and could have taken the lead had Fletcher done better with a golden opportunity early in the game. Brave defending kept United frustrated and it was goalless at half-time. Another chance went begging in the second-half for the Clarets, after United were caught out by a stunning attack that left Nugent clear with only Van Der Sar to beat. The on-loan striker from Portsmouth though put his shot agonisingly wide much to the relief of Sir Alex who nearly choked on his chewing gum. Sadly for the Clarets a few minutes later just past the hour mark we would find ourselves cruelly 2-0 behind after two goals in five minutes from first Berbatov and then Rooney. We bravely battled on but our bad luck continued when this time the woodwork got in the way. Thompson, who had been given his chance to impress the new gaffer after he replaced the injured Fletcher in the first half came close with an header with just 7 minutes remaining but the ball hit the post. Had that gone in it would have set up a tense finale but in the end it wasn`t to be and deep into stoppage time United got their third goal when Diouf headed home.
In the end Brian Laws would have been delighted with our performance in this baptism of fire but disappointed that once again we did not take our chances. One concern though will be Steven Fletcher who was fouled by Valencia in the first half and soon after had to be replaced. The news last night was that he immediately went to hospital for a precautionary X-ray on his injured ankle with Laws remaining confident that the injury was not serious.
Clarets fans though can be proud of our team yesterday when you consider the depth in quality not to mention the multi-million pound worth and high salaries of the United players. Not bad for a team capped on salaries of no more than £15k/week. Rooney`s £150,000/week equates to virtually our whole starting eleven put together! Yes, let us indeed be proud and let us once more take a look at that cowardly and totally unprofessional Mick McCarthy who decided to ‘chuck one in` and field a weakened Wolves reserve side against the Red Devils at Old Trafford recently. Suck on that Mick! We may have lost but we tried with our best team possible and all our fans came away with lots of positives to discuss and their heads held high. A far cry from Wolves fans feeling cheated they had just wasted £40-£50 on a ticket to watch a bunch of fringe players.
We can indeed take many positives from this match but in the end we have still not got our first away win of the season and we have not won now in ten league games. These are very worrying times for the Clarets with those relegation places getting ever closer. We are now in 15th spot just two points ahead of third from bottom club, West Ham. All Clarets fans will be hoping we soon do not drop another place with our discredited former manager`s team, Bolton playing Arsenal in one of the Sunday matches today at the Reebok. Bolton play Arsenal twice in four days and will face up to them again at the Emirates on Wednesday night. If the Gunners take six points off the Trotters, Bolton will still be two points behind the Clarets (albeit with a game in hand) when we both play each other at the Reebok in our next League match on Tuesday 26th January. That is certainly going to be one pot-boiler of a match and one in which if we win will ensure Brian Laws becomes an instant hero.
The Clarets Team Sheet
Very much as expected Brian Laws played it safe with his first team selection. David Edgar though was given his Premier League debut for the Clarets in the centre of defence with Andre Bikey away in the African Nations Cup, Steven Caldwell suffering from a persistent groin strain and Clarke Carlisle still struggling with a thigh strain. Edgar was probably recalling his time at Newcastle when he scored at the Theatre of Dreams three years ago as he lined up to face the current League Champions.
There were no other surprises in the team selection and although Chris McCann was understood to be making good progress recovering from his cruciate and medial ligament injury it was a little too soon for him to feature in this game; a match he had targeted for a return.
David Nugent, possibly playing his last game for the Clarets with his loan spell at the club due to finish on the 22nd January, was also in the starting eleven although was being played on the right-hand side of midfield. Laws has made it plain that he would like to extend Nugent`s loan until the end of the season but the ball is firmly in Pompey`s court. One thing is clear if he does return he will only be able to play for Portsmouth since Football league rules prevent him playing for a third team in the same season.
Both Tyrone Mears (5 yellows) and Jordan (second bookable offence) returned to the side after their automatic one match suspension following their misdemeanors at Goodison Park over Christmas. They had sat out our previous game away to MK Dons.
The Clarets lined up as follows:
Jensen, Mears, Duff, Edgar, Jordan, Alexander, Eagles, McDonald, Elliott, Fletcher, Nugent
Subs: Penny, Kalvenes, Eckersley, Gudjonsson, Guerrero, Blake, Thompson
The Full Match Report
The previous record gate for a match involving the Clarets was set way back in December 1960 at Goodison Park. 74,867 fans that day saw the Clarets defeat the Toffees 3-0 thanks to a brace of goals from Jimmy Robson and one from John Connelly. At long last 49 years later that record has been broken. Nearly 3000 Clarets fans packed the away end at Old Trafford and basically out sung about 72000 United fans with a new gate record of 75,120 now being the one to beat.
The Clarets fans were in fine humorous voice too as referee Lee Probert got the game underway. Renditions of ‘We Support Our Local Team`, “We got more Cash than You” and “There`s only One Barry Kilby” were probably lost on the prawn sandwich brigade but at least non-plastic proper football supporting fans would have appreciated the cutting edge cynicism and humour.It was the Clarets who started brightly taking the game to United and Nugent in particular was involved in a lot of the early action.
Chris Eagles on the break after seven minutes of play found Nugent. The on-loan Portsmouth striker then picked up Fletcher with a delightful diagonal cross. Fletcher steaming towards goal with the United defence caught out and charging back was clear but frustratingly pulled his left-footed shot wide.
Eagles who was clearly up for this match and trying to impress his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to be on fire and at times was dazzling. He got in yet another superb pass which just failed to reach Nugent who had charged in behind the United defence.
United though certainly had their chances with Valencia in particular being a problem down the right. The former Wigan star got in a number of crosses which tested our defence. Duff and Edgar though were looking solid snuffing out a lot of the danger. Jenson had very little to do other than the odd routine save, the most dangerous of which was a shot hit low by Nani
A bad tackle by Valencia on Fletcher 10 minutes before half time gave Brian Laws and Clarets fans palpitations. It was clear he had injured his ankle and couldn`t carry on. He hobbled off the pitch soon after to be replaced by Thompson.
Jensen was finally tested in first half-stoppage time when a cross from Valencia found Nani who attempted an overhead kick. The Beast got a finger tip to the ball and it flew to safety past the post.
The Clarets would have been proud of their performance as the half-time whistle went. We had contained United and played some delightful football and could have been in front had we taken our chances. So it was 0-0 at half time then with no indication thankfully of any ill effects from the trauma of losing Owen Coyle to Bolton.
The Clarets made no changes for the start of the second half and anyway there was no reason to with everybody putting in 100% and looking bright and effective.
In the opening minutes of the second half, the Clarets once again looked lively. Eagles on a charge towards goal tested Van der Sar. Steven Thompson who was also proving a handful for the United defence then knocked down the ball to find Elliott. Elliott set Nugent free but his shot from the corner of the penalty area was not strong enough and another chance went begging.
United were always looking dangerous on the counter attack though and Rooney fired over the bar to keep the Burnley defence on its toes. It was Eagles though who continued to ask questions of the United defence. Going on yet another charge up field he set up Nugent with a half-chance but Jonny Evans was quick to spot the danger and tackled the on-loan striker before he could unleash a shot.
At this point in time United looked nervous and their attempts on goal lacked power and accuracy. Berbatov had made space for himself in the box but could only boot the ball against the outside of the post. Just past the hour mark, the Clarets had a glorious chance to take lead on 63 minutes.
Once again the move was started by Eagles on the break with the speedy winger again opening up the Red Devils defence. It was Nugent again who picked up the pass getting the better of Neville and charging towards goal with only the keeper to beat. His shot though was once again off target and the ball flew agonisingly wide.
Eagles then came close to equalising after some nice approach work involving Elliott. Once more though despite making mincemeat of the United defence he could not get the better of Van der Sar.
If you don`t take these chances you will get punished and so it would prove for the Clarets who would now find themselves 2-0 down within five minutes.
United`s first goal on 64 minutes came from a shot angled towards goal by Berbatov after a Rooney pass. Even then our luck deserted us with the ball taking a deflection off Duff to deceive Jensen
Five minutes later and the now rampant United had gone further ahead. A shot from Berbatov had been saved by Jensen but the ball was picked up by Rooney and with a cool head he had plenty of time to decide on his shot with the ball neatly placed into the bottom corner to put United 2-0 up.
There was now a danger we could fold but we held our nerve and once more gradually began to take the game to United.
With just seven minutes of play remaining we nearly got a goal back which had we scored would have set up a tense and exciting finale. A cross by Jordan found Thompson but he could only head the ball against the post. We were not getting much luck with even the woodwork now coming to United`s rescue.
Deep into stoppage time United decided to rub our noses in it and scored again. A pass by the dangerous Valencia found substitute, Mame Diouf who simply lobbed the ball over Jensen to make it 3-0. On close inspection Diouf could have been offside but clearly this was not going to be our day and the goal stood. This was just time to add insult to injury when the Clarets were denied what looked to be a cast-iron penalty. A free kick taken by Mears was touched onto the post by Van der Sar to give Elliott a chance to score. Neville though clearly handled the ball in an attempt to clear the danger but the referee thought otherwise.
That was it, 3-0 to United, a score line which clearly flattered the Red Devils but one which continues our winless streak on the road but at least we did ourselves proud and can hold our heads up high.
Match Detail
Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Neville, Evra, Brown, Berbatov (Owen 74), Rooney (Diouf 74), Carrick (Anderson 64), Nani, Scholes, Evans, Valencia.
Subs Not Used: Park, F DA Silva, R Da Silva, Kuszczak
Booked: 0
Scorers: Berbatov (64 mins), Rooney (69 mins), Diouf (90+1 mins)
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Duff, Edgar, Jordan, Alexander, Eagles (Blake 83), McDonald (Gudjonsson 74), Elliott, Fletcher (Thompson 36), Nugent
Subs Not Used: Penny, Kalvenes, Eckersley, Guerrero
Booked: 0
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
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Well if Bolton lose to Arsenal today, I will at least cheer up a bit. Yes,true lots of positive things to say about yesterday’s performance and we can all be proud but all these emotions are sadly not getting us any points and our strikers can’t seem to take their chances
I only listed in on the Net and saw the highlights but, yes, it was a spirited and talented attempt but our inability to take our chances is truly depressing as was Jordan’s to close down Valencia. Game after game, Jordan gives wingers yards of space to work in. Valencia, of course, should not have remained on the field after his tackle on Fletcher. Duffo and Edgar looked good and so did the team generally giving who and where they were playing and the events of the last fortnight but we MUST start scoring.
As a naturally sceptical person, I always felt that this was a bonus year and that we might do worse than Derby. However, I am so glad that we are doing it in style. The fact that the PL is probably the weakest for a while may work in our favour this year. My main concern at the moment is possibly playing well and losing our next few games. What effect will that have on the team?
We have won away, just not in this competition. We can smash/work our way through any defence. The problem seems to be getting it into the net.
There were some changes in this game and I see positives – particularly after the emotional hammering we got as “Susan” went to Notlob and took the heart of our infrastructure with him. Survive that and we can survive anything. I would say that if we get behind Laws he will get behind us. On yesterdays performance we are on track.
I was at OT, and am not embarassed to admit that I cried at the end, as we didn’t deserve that. At half time everyone I spoke to thought we were outstanding and were likely to do the double on them. But as TMP says unfortunately these emotions arn’t getting us points. On the bright side if we play like that at W@nky Wanderers we will hammer them.
Nice report as usual and I agree with a lot of your points. Clear message here is that we push the ball around nicely but the fact is we keep losing games as we are struggling to score goals and cannot keep clean sheets. We have to start doing both of those things if we want to stay up. Hopefully Brian Laws will have a plan and, as I will write in the next WTBM, I think I know what it might be.
Yesterday I thought we were a credit to the town. the club and also to the Premier League. Having a few drinks with a United fan from Uni after the game and he agreed that we deserved more and that not many teams come to United and try to play like we did – Well done Burnley!
JJ – I have taken from other threads that you are not of fan of Jordan – fair enough. Yesterday he was clearly acting on instructions from the management to keep tight to the centre halfs to prevent a ball being threaded through behind him. You cannot blame Jordan for this – It remained the same throughout the game and if the management wasnt happy with it, they would have instructed a change! I do agree with you though about Duffo and Edgar – I thought they were excellent and so far Duff is proving me wrong in my previous opinion that he wouldnt be able to play PL. You are also right about missing chance, if we continue tomiss like we did yesterday and Bolton especially – It will cost us!
You may well be right but it’s atactic the much better Mears doesn’t employ.
David Wlash in t Times summed it up objectively,” Poor Stephen Jordan never knew what to do with Valencia and settled for not doing very much.”
A piece of coaching advice for full backs? “When you play against great players, don’t let them have the first touch. Standing off is asking for trouble. Don’t give them space. Get in strong and close. Not to foul but strong and close. If you let them run with the ball it’s very difficult.” Jordan rarely does this. Kalvanes does, perhaps because he’s intelligent enough to know that his lack of real pace will expose him otherwise.
As an ex-full back is was interesting to see Brian Laws going to Jordan to console him after the final whistle. I’m hoping our newly arrived Irish full back will be the answer in due course.
Bloody nora Villa come on; 0-0 against West Ham at half-time. We drop a place if Hammers get a win at Villa Park [Edited by turfmanphil]
Still 0-0 20 mins to go.FFS Villa get a grip
Great Blackburn win 2-0 at home to Fulham and Villa draw 1-1 at home to West Ham. At least Bolton look crap and Arsenal are 1-0 up at H/T. Come on you Gunners,slaughter ’em!!
Gooner for the Day! Well done Arsenal thank you for beating the loathesome Judas & his dreary men 2-0 and more of the same at the Emirates on Wednesday night,please!
I had a smile as well tmp. Let’s hope Bolton’s away form replicates ours for the rest of the season!
Think they’ll get stuffed on Wednesday. Work permitting I might be at Brentford on Tuesday and The Emirates on Wednesday night. Arsenal 5 Bolton Wanderers 0 would be very nice.
Two matches against Arsenal in a week, home in the cup to Sheffield United, then playing us and all that goes with it, followd by some hard games until mid-February. If he didn’t win any of those games how will the Bolton fans view Coyle??? Interesting!
I think Sky said they have to play Liverpool soon, who could be on the rebound after a poor run. I wish only the riches and glory you deserve Susan and should your next club be St Mirren or Man Utd I will never forgive you for divorcing me in January! lol It was amazing at OT and I am sure we are going to replicate our passion for all things Claret n Blue at notlob.
Hello again Clarets! Bad, bad luck at OT. Keep your chins up- keep performing and you’ll be alright this season. I fully expect you to batter those leg-breaking nasties next week. I did promise we’d put Owen Coyle in his place and and I was right. Had to play tight yesterday, but now Bolton can expect a pasting on Wednesday night. Oh and what was that move of Taylor’s, trying to grind our captain’s face into the ground, eh? Bet they practice that sort of thing in training. Can’t stand them.
Think your man was in the news again JLH4E. You have to hand it to him I suppose, he has done well to escape unscathed from that incident but he looked on good form for Barca on Saturday night. Best of luck for Wednesday. Hope to be at the game if I can sneak out of a work thing but a nice home win would take you to the top of the league. That should be a decent enough incentive.
Well RT, it’s as I’ve said repeatedly, if every player who handled a ball, or tugged a shirt, or dived week-in, week-out, was handed a ban, there wouldn’t be too many games left. It’s not fair to retrospectively punish a player(unless for violence- yes, I’m talking about you Matt Taylor you knob) all of a sudden, especially for a yellow card offence. If they want to kick it out of the game, change the rules now and then everyone knows where they stand the next time. Hope you can make the game on Wednesday.