Turf Poor for United as Blake fires Burnley to famous win

Manchester United slumped to a 1-0 defeat at local rivals Burnley on Wednesday evening. A spectacular strike from Robbie Blake was enough to give the Clarets a famous victory as United, who were left to rue a missed Michael Carrick penalty, fell three points behind Spurs and Chelsea at the top of the table.

20,872 were in attendance as Burnley claimed a famous win over United. Blake was the hero as Turf Moor welcomed Premier League football through its doors for the first time.

Hero Blake broke the deadlock after nineteen minutes with a tremendous volley and Clarets 'keeper Brian Jensen made a string of excellent saves as Burnley defied their critics with a win that suggests the club can clinch top-flight survival this season.

Owen Coyle's men grabbed last season's Football League headlines as their battling displays secured play-off glory and a League Cup run that ended in bitterly unlucky disappointment at the semi-final stage. Those qualities were again on show as Burnley produced a determined display that the press are sure to over-hype as one of the "biggest shocks in league history" when the newspapers hit the stands on Thursday morning.

United, under-strength in the defensive department, were left shell-shocked as Patrice Evra failed to properly clear a Clarets cross. Blake latched onto the ball with a powerful, right-footed volley that hit the roof of Ben Foster's net and sent the home support into raptures. Burnley's fans had sensed a goal when Steven Fletcher and Martin Paterson missed early chances, and it came in emphatic fashion as 33-year-old Blake smashed home another goal for the club whom he has enjoyed the most success.

The Red Devils were constantly thwarted as they tried to mount a comeback. Michael Owen missed a hatful of chances and, after a poor display, was dragged off after little over an hour. United's number seven was not, however, guilty of our worst miss of the evening. Michael Carrick, a surprise choice as penalty taker, saw an effort saved from the inspired Jensen from twelve yards after Evra was hauled down.

Burnley remained resolute throughout the second-half and clung on for the win that left United's travelling army blushing. We're now three points off the pace and, having hardly set the world on fire against unlucky Birmingham on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson's Reds will be under pressure to improve in another Lancashire derby at Wigan on Saturday afternoon.

Full Time - Burnley 1-0 Manchester United
Attendance - 20,872