Manchester United 2-2 Burnley
Well, that was dramatic!
As Premier League games go, it seems lightning can strike twice.
Last season, Manchester United fought back from 2-0 down and rescued a point at home to Burnley with a stoppage-time equaliser.
Thirteen months on and they’ve done exactly the same.
SBOBET neutrals could rightly argue Burnley were hard done by.
They were at their belligerent best and fully deserved their advantage going into the closing stages.
But not for the first time during his tenure of six weeks, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United are making a habit of producing the best Premier League 2019 highlights.
Highlights of the game
What ended as a night of relief for the home fans began as a night of reflection at Old Trafford.
Fans sung Flowers of Manchester outside the ground and inside displayed a giant banner to mark the 61st anniversary of the Munich air disaster—this is the closest home match to the tragedy.
There was also a minute’s silence respectfully observed for Emiliano Sala, the striker who is one of two men missing following last week’s plane disappearance.
When the action on the pitch began, it was lively but far from one-way.
Marcus Rashford saw a fourth-minute shot blocked by Charlie Taylor after good understanding between Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba down the left. Rashford probably should have also scored when played in by Romelu Lukaku after a neat 1-2.
However, Chris Wood tested David de Gea, while Phil Jones made two important blocks as Burnley showed they weren’t just in town to be rolled over.
They were organised, disciplined and committed on the counter-attack and deserved to go in level at the break.
The start to the second half was also lively. De Gea managed to prevent a corner but nearly presented Burnley with a gilt-edged chance, while Juan Mata tested Tom Heaton—hero of this fixture two seasons ago.
Then the opening goal … and it came for the visitors.
Jack Cork robbed young Andreas Pereira, and it proved costly as he played in Ashley Barnes who put on a clinical finish.
It was the first time since his interim appointment that Solskjaer’s United had been behind.
If that was the cue for a home siege though, Burnley hadn’t read the script.
The closest United came to scoring was when Lukaku (scorer of a double in United’s success at Turf Moor in September) was kept out by a combination of Heaton and Ashley Westwood. It was his final contribution before being replaced by Alexis Sanchez.
Captain Ashley Young led by example with a series of forays and inviting crosses down the right but as Burnley held firm, so United’s frustrations increased.
The next goal seemed crucial, and it went to the visitors again.
Nine minutes were remaining on the clock when Westwood delivered a superb cross and Wood’s finish was equally adept.
When Jeff Hendrick held back substitute Jesse Lingard four minutes from time, there was home hope. Pogba, in turn, despatched the spot kick coolly.
Yet, the Premier League 2019 betting odds on another Solskjaer-style comeback were surely too much of an ask?
Not quite.
Deep in injury time, Heaton produced a fine save to keep out a Sanchez header, but he was helpless as Victor Lindelof pounced to score his first goal for the club.
Old Trafford erupted. For Burnley, it must have felt like a defeat.
At 1-0 up, Sean Dyche could be heard bellowing instructions to his players across a largely quiet and stunned arena.
Now, the noise was deafening but Burnley held on—it was the least they deserved.
Relegation certainly won’t be an option if they continue to play like this.
Key statistics
Manchester United are unbeaten in 20 home games against Burnley in all competitions since a 5-2 defeat in the top flight in September 1962.
The Clarets have now drawn their last three matches at Old Trafford (0-0 in 2016 and 2-2 in 2017).
Home and away, Burnley have registered just one victory in the past 27 meetings with United (drawn 11, lost 15).
United have been awarded eight Premier League penalties this season, more than any other side.
Burnley are unbeaten in their last five league matches (won three, drawn two), their longest undefeated sequence since a six-match streak between February and April 2018.
The Clarets have gone 67 top-flight games without being awarded a penalty, with their last spot-kick taken and scored by Sam Vokes in a 3-1 defeat at Everton in April 2017.
Tuesday is the only day of the week on which Dyche has never lost a Premier League game, winning three and drawing three of his six matches.
What’s next?
Into February and the Premier League action continues.
Burnley are home to fellow strugglers Southampton on Saturday, while United travel to Leicester 24 hours later.
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