Promoted clarets hand defending champions Manchester United 1-0 defeat
Promoted clarets hand defending champions Manchester United 1-0 defeat
|
|
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (left) battles it out with Burnley's Graham Alexander pic/AFP |
Manchester United's defence of the Premier League title suffered an early blow as the champions slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at promoted Burnley last night.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team were beaten for the first time this season as Robbie Blake scored the first half winner for Burnley, who were indebted to goalkeeper Brian Jensen for saving Michael Carrick's second half penalty.
Burnley were playing their first home match as a top-flight club for 33 years and marked the occasion with a dynamic display that was too much for the champions.
"We're disappointed and it wasn't a great performance by us but maybe it was Burnley's night, so many things happened in their box I don't know how we didn't score. With the chances we had, we should have won," Ferguson said.
Ferguson made three changes to the team that beat Birmingham on Sunday with Michael Owen handed a first start after his close-season move from Newcastle.
But it was Burnley, promoted via the Championship play-offs last season, who seized the initiative in the 19th minute at Turf Moor when Blake pounced on a half-cleared cross and lashed a ferocious volley past Ben Foster.
u00a0
