Blake stuns United as Burnley end 33-year wait
BURNLEY (1) vs MANCHESTER UTD (0)
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson was aghast after Burnley stunned the champions and recorded their first top-flight win for 33 years.
Veteran Robbie Blake volleyed the decisive goal but the Premier League newcomers were equally indebted to goalkeeper Brian Jensen for saving Michael Carrick’s penalty.
“We’re disappointed,” said Ferguson. “It wasn’t a great performance but maybe it was just a night for Burnley. So many things happened in that penalty box it was just amazing we didn’t get one.”
England outcast Michael Owen, making his first competitive United start since his free transfer from Newcastle, had a goal disallowed and missed another chance as the visitors began strongly.
But Burnley settled and in the 18th minute striker Blake, 33, capitalised on a loose ball to launch a half-volley that flashed past United goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Owen wasted a header before a foul on Patrice Evra presented Carrick with a spot-kick, only for Jensen to fling himself to his right and save.
And Jensen saved again from Ji-Sung Park and Ryan Giggs as Burnley marked Turf Moor’s Premier League bow with a famous triumph.