FA Cup Third Round: Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

From Kyle Lafferty's header off the post to the performance put in by Croatian international Eduardo, those at Turf Moor and those watching the Clarets on TV from as far away as Mauritius and New Zealand will not have been disappointed by the game nor the scoreline.

The Clarets battled bravely throughout the game having plenty of the possession but Arsenal had that edge and was able to convert their chances into goals and progress into the next round.

The Clarets started well with Kyle Lafferty's header in the first 10 minutes hitting the cross bar. Arsenal responded soon after and some clever play allowed them to break through the central defence, and Eduardo was able to take the ball around Kiraly with composure and give Arsenal an early lead.

The fans responded brilliantly however and Burnley kept up the pressure. Attempts on goal from Blake, Lafferty and McCann were unsuccessful in the first half, only really matched at the other end when James O'Connor had to clear the ball off the line.

Burnley once again didn't show any fear as they faced Arsenal in the second half and the best football came after and despite Kyle Lafferty being sent off just before 60 minutes after the referee ruled a tackle on Gilberto as reckless.

It took another goal from Arsenal on 75 minutes before they really looked comfortable in the game with a shot from Bendtner.

The players should be content with today's result which has already seen much praise in the media and push on now to turn around our recent poor run of form which before today led to the extremely poor 3-0 defeat at Blackpool.

I felt Wade Elliott's role on the wings made him my Man of the Match. What do you think given Varga, Harley and Jimmy O'Connor also gave impressive performances? Let us know on the message board.

After the game Owen Coyle told the press:

"I thought the players acquitted themselves well. Had they had that bit of composure and guile in front of goal we could have scored a couple of goals.

"Defensively we lost two goals cheaply, but we were well in the game and gave every ounce of effort. I asked for that before the game."

Burnley: Kiraly, Alexander, Caldwell, Varga, Harley, Elliott, McCann, O'Connor (Gudjonsson 75), Lafferty, Blake (Jones 78), Gray (Akinbiyi 78).
Subs: Jensen, Gudjonsson, Akinbiyi, Jones, Jordan.
Booked: Caldwell (85, unsporting behaviour)
Sent off: Lafferty (59, dangerous play)

Arsenal: Lehman, Diaby, Sagna, Toure, Senderos, Denilson, Gilberto, Ebouse, Traore (Hoyte 71), Eduardo, Bendtner.
Subs: Djourou, Fabianski, Randall, Lansbury

Attendance: 16,709