Burnley 1 Manchester United 0: Fergie flops tamed by Blake and the Beast

20 August 2009 11:04
Burnley's attempts to embrace the Barclays Premier League extendedto serving guests lamb curry rather than the traditional pie and peaslast night. But that was before Owen Coyle's remarkable players showed that suchattempts to appear more sophisticated are wholly unnecessary when theydeliver performances like this, the first top-flight encounter in 33years at Turf Moor being marked with a victory over the champions ofEngland and the three times champions of Europe. What an incredible evening. What an incredible goal. What anincredible sensation when Robbie Blake's stunning volley flew beyondthe reach of Ben Foster and into theback of Manchester United's net in the 19th minute. The James Hargreaves Stand shook so violently it was actually alittle unnerving. They just do not build stadiums like this these days. That Brian Jensen followed Burnley's first goal in this division bysaving Michael Carrick's penalty shortly before the interval only addedto the drama. 'I don't care what happens now,' declared one ecstatic observer at the sound of the half-time whistle. 'That'll do for me.' It would have done for every fanatical follower of one of the smallest football clubs ever to grace the Premier League. For the 7,000 supporters who had their loyalty rewarded with free season tickets. For those who will go online today to purchase their souvenir programme after the club sold out last night. 'We have commissioned another print run,' confirmed the stadium announcer before the game. As collector's items go, Blake's goal will take some beating. It wasa peach of a strike. So good in fact that one can only imagine whatthat chap who has already changed his name, via deed poll, to DaveBurnley will do now. He could have Robbie as a middle name. Or Brian perhaps. Jensen, like Blake, was outstanding, his heroics extending well beyond the penalty save.

Source: Daily_Mail