4 days ago, Burnley defeated Man U 1-0, today I post in football
forum, the stupid owner delete my thread.
Nevermind, that is not the only football forum around.
Owen Coyle has given his Burnley players permission to go out
and bask in the glory of beating Manchester United.
GettyImages
Burnley fans in rapture after Robbie Blake's
screamer
The Clarets first win since ending a 33-year top flight absence
was also their first over United since 1968.
Veteran midfielder Robbie Blake was the matchwinner, lashing
home an 18th-minute volley after a period of Burnley pressure.
But goalkeeper Brian Jensen also deserved hero status, saving
Michael Carrick's penalty just before half-time to lay the platform
for an unexpected triumph, repeating Carling Cup shoot-out heroics
from last season.
"I have told the players to enjoy it because it is not often you
beat Manchester United,'' said Coyle. "I felt before the game if
everything went our way we could probably get a positive
result.
"Then I saw a statistic on TV that Manchester United had won
their last 17 matches against newly-promoted teams, scored 44 and
conceded four. At that point I wish the TV had been turned off.
"We rode our luck at times but we offered enough of a goal
threat. The goal itself was outstanding, although I was not
surprised because that is the type of thing he has in his
locker.''
It was the perfect response to Saturday's 2-0 defeat at
Stoke.
That reverse had the critics out in force, claiming there was no
way Burnley, with their minuscule budget, could possibly survive in
such rareified company.
"One or two have already written us off,'' said Coyle.
"I am not surprised about that. When you look at the financial
side, we will have to produce every week.
"Outside this club, everybody looked at our first five games
(Stoke, United, Everton, Chelsea and Liverpool) and expected we
would be on zero points.
"We were disappointed on Sunday and we needed to be brave
tonight. Now we have a massive game on Sunday against Everton,
although whatever happens we are three points better off than we
were at this stage in the Championship last season.''
Sir Alex Ferguson was quick to offer congratulations to his
fellow countryman, whose reputation is growing almost by the
week.
And Ferguson is no doubt relieved his side will not encounter
many atmospheres as hostile as the one United experienced
tonight.
"People refer to this as a ramshackle place but I love this type
of stadium,'' said Coyle. "And the supporters know that these
players will give their maximum in every game.
"Sir Alex said well done at the end. He dealt with defeat in the
gracious manner I would expect of someone like that. He is the best
manager in world football and I still expect Manchester United to
be champions.''
