bad news..
Burnley's giant-killing spree in
the Carling Cup continued after a 2-0 win over Arsenal's rookies in
the quarter-final at Turf Moor.
Kevin McDonald struck in each half as Owen Coyle's men followed
up victories over Fulham and Chelsea with a richly-deserved success
over the Gunners.
The Championship side took the lead after just six minutes when
McDonald slotted into the net after Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski
had failed to collect Chris Eagles' low cross.
Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner was denied by Brian Jensen
either side of McDonald's opener, and the Burnley keeper also made
a smart save to thwart Carlos Vela.
Fran Merida came close to a brilliant solo goal early in the
second half before McDonald, who scored his first goal for Burnley
at the weekend, grabbed his second of the night on 57 minutes.
He anticipated Eagles' quick throw-in and, after getting the
better of Mark Randall, flicked a nonchalant finish past Fabianski
and inside the far post.
Though Jensen kept his side in it on occasions, Burnley's
football was more than a match for a fledgling Arsenal side that
had ripped apart Sheffield United and Wigan in previous rounds.
The match was locally billed as 'Capital Punishment III' after
Chelsea and Fulham were put to the sword in previous rounds - and
it lived up to expectations.
Yet Arsenal almost took the lead before McDonald made the
breakthrough when Merida released Bendtner, however Jensen stayed
alert and diverted the striker's effort to safety.
Burnley took the lead in the sixth minute after Chris Eagles
swung in a superb cross from the right and Arsenal could not clear
their lines after Fabianski failed to gather the ball.
McDonald took full advantage to score from the edge of the
six-yard box to put the the second-tier side in the driving seat -
and they never looked back.
Arsenal were stung and Bendtner sprung the offside trap in the
ninth minute after a good through-ball from Vela but Jensen was
equal to his effort.
Then Martin Paterson skipped away from Kieran Gibbs but his shot
carried little power and the goalkeeper was able to make a
comfortable save.
Burnley were dictating the pace against their inexperienced
opponents and Robbie Blake tested Fabianski in the 28th minute.
The young Arsenal goalkeeper looked nervous and spilled his
effort, only to recover in time and take the ball off Paterson's
toes.
Paterson should have extended Burnley's lead when he stole in on
the blindside but only succeeded in rattling a shot against
Fabianski's body.
Arsenal responded in the 37th minute and Bendtner sent Randall
clear with a clever flick. Randall had only Jensen to beat but the
goalkeeper stood tall to make the block.
The goalkeeper was again proving difficult to beat after an
impressive display in the victory against Chelsea.
It looked as though Vela would equalise in the 41st minute but
Jensen cleared the danger.
Merida came close after 49 minutes when he weaved his way into
the penalty area but failed to test Jensen, curling his effort just
wide.
Burnley extended their lead in the 57th minute with McDonald
again showing a cool head when needed.
Randall was caught napping when Eagles delivered a throw-in and
McDonald raced clear before curling a delightful shot into the far
corner with the outside of his right boot.
This was an uphill task now for Arsenal and Wenger responded by
bringing on Jay Simpson for Jack Wilshere in a bid to turn things
around.
Simpson had shown his potential in the last round with a brace
in the victory against Wigan.
However, Paterson should have made it 3-0 in the 65th minute
only to send a soft header into Fabianski's arms following a cross
from Blake.
Burnley were happy to knock the ball around and keep possession
but Arsenal still looked dangerous going forward.
Bendtner should have pulled a goal back with three minutes
remaining but the striker failed to capitalise on a good ball from
Vela to put the seal on a miserable night for the Gunners.
