Burnley 1-0 Manchester United: Blake Earns Clarets Famous Victory

Burnley 1-0 Manchester United - Lineups/Stats
Premier League Fixtures, Results

A stunning goal from Robbie Blake handed newly promoted Burnley a famous 1-0 Premier League victory against champions Manchester United at Turf Moor.

Having initially started brightly, United were stunned after 20 minutes when the hosts took the lead through a tremendous volley from Blake. The Red Devils then wasted a golden opportunity to equalise just before half-time when Michael Carrick had a penalty saved.

The visitors continued to press hard for an equaliser after the break but were unable to force their way past home goalkeeper Brian Jensen as the newly promoted side held on for a famous win.

Burnley made only one change from their opening day defeat at the hands of Stoke City as new signing Andre Bikey slotted into their defence.

United handed Michael Owen his first start for the club as he replaced Dimitar Berbatov, while Wes Brown came in for Fabio da Silva. In addition, Sir Alex Ferguson changed his whole midfield, making it six changes from the weekend victory over Birmingham City at Old Trafford.

Owen had a good early opportunity in the second minute, but he was unable to connect with Patrice Evra's threatening near post delivery.

The goal came in the 19th minute after a spell of sustained pressure from Burnley resulted in the ball dropping for Blake after Evra’s clearance, with the forward firing a magnificent volley past Ben Foster and into the top corner.

Burnley celebrate the winning goal.

Owen had a chance to equalise but he could only divert Brown’s cross wide of the post from a header.

He had a positive influence just before the break when United wasted a great chance to equalise from the penalty spot. He had played in the lively Evra, who was fouled by goal-scorer Blake inside the penalty area.

Carrick stepped up as he made his claim to replace Cristiano Ronaldo as first choice penalty-taker but was unable to beat Jensen from 12 yards, the experienced keeper diving right to make a vital save.

After the interval, Blake almost made it two with a free-kick that narrowly missed the target and an ineffective start to the half prompted United to make changes, with Antonio Valencia and Berbatov taking the field for the latter stages.

It took a while for the inevitable onslaught to come from United, but when it did Burnley were defiant.

Park Ji-Sung forced fans’ favourite Jensen into an excellent stop, before Ryan Giggs was denied after Jensen rushed swiftly out of his goals.

At the final whistle Turf Moor erupted with home fans and players jubilant, leaving Ferguson and his players with a lot to ponder.

Chris Myson, Goal.com