Manchester United 2-2 Burnley: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer maintains unbeaten start thanks to stoppage time equaliser from Victor Lindelof

Manchester United 2-2 Burnley: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer maintains unbeaten start thanks to stoppage time equaliser from Victor Lindelof
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s winning start may have come to an end but Manchester United’s storming two-goal comeback at the death against Burnley meant all was not lost.Most onlookers expected the Norwegian to comfortably seal a ninth straight win in all competitions – and a record-breaking seventh at the start of a Premier League reign – but Sean Dyche’s men had other ideas.Solskjaer celebrates United’s equaliser in injury time6
Solskjaer celebrates United’s equaliser in injury time
Solskjaer’s United had not so much as gone behind before Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood scored for Burnley, who were dreaming of a first win at Old Trafford since 1962 until Paul Pogba and Victor Lindelof sealed a dramatic 2-2 draw.The overriding feeling was frustration for both managers at full-time, but this could prove a valuable point for a United side who were for so long frustrated by an organised team backed up by in-form goalkeeper Tom Heaton.An Andreas Pereira mistake allowed Barnes to smash the visitors ahead in the 51st minute and, after dealing with a deluge of attacks, Wood appeared to put the game out of reach.But that 81st-minute goal was far from the last act.Pogba fired home a spot-kick with three minutes remaining and Lindelof struck in stoppage time in a comeback the watching Sir Alex Ferguson would have been proud of.It was a frantic end to a night that began with silent reflection ahead of the 61st anniversary of the Munich air disaster and with the disappearance of the plane carrying Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala fresh in people’s minds. That poignant pre-match period was followed by a bright start by Solskjaer’s Reds, who should have gone ahead in the ninth minute as in-form Marcus Rashford uncharacteristically sent a shot bobbling wide after Romelu Lukaku’s fine work.Burnley held firm and began to commit men forwards themselves, while retaining their defensive shape.Phil Jones, jeered relentlessly for his Blackburn connections, had to make a timely intervention to deny Barnes, while the offside flag was up long before Wood lifted the ball into David De Gea’s net.The hosts pushed the strongest but could not find a killer touch, with former United goalkeeper Heaton producing fine stops to deny Juan Mata and Lukaku – attempts that would not have counted anyway due to the officials.Pogba would find the net only for offside to be cut celebrations short, while Phil Bardsley, another Old Trafford youth product, did well to intercept as Mata threatened.Mata and Pogba saw efforts denied by Heaton when play resumed in a promising start abruptly halted in the 51st minute.Pereira collected a pass from Jones and was caught in possession by Jack Cork, who put through Barnes to smash past De Gea and celebrate wildly in front of the Stretford End.Ashley Barnes celebrates his goal for Burnley at Old Trafford6
Ashley Barnes celebrates his goal for Burnley at Old Trafford
It was the first setback of the Solskjaer era and Rashford attempted to restore parity, being denied by Heaton before striking wide.Pogba flicked wide and Heaton produced an excellent stop to prevent Lukaku turning in an Ashley Young cross, with last-gasp challenges and poor decision-making proving the scourge of United on other occasions.De Gea had to be alert to parry a long-range Dwight McNeil strike but that was the only real threat to is goal until Wood was afforded space to send a fine cross by Ashley Westwood past De Gea.But the match was far over. Referee Jon Moss came in for criticism after changing a penalty decision to a free-kick on the edge of the box after Ben Mee unceremoniously took Rashford down, but there would soon be a United spot-kick.Jeff Hendrick hauled back Jesse Lingard and Pogba fired home the spot-kick after a truncated version of his stuttered run up.United had three minutes to preserve their unbeaten run and managed it in stoppage time.Heaton denied Pogba and then Sanchez in stoppage time, but Lindelof reacted quickest to the latter and directed home to the relief of the majority inside Old Trafford.Victor Lindelof turns home Man Uniteds equaliser6
Victor Lindelof turns home Man Uniteds equaliser
Victor Lindelof celebrates with Phil Jones after rescuing a point for Man United6
Victor Lindelof celebrates with Phil Jones after rescuing a point for Man United
As for Burnley, it was the second successive season that United had sealed a 2-2 draw against them at Old Trafford in stoppage time.

Premier League Table

Here’s how the top half of the table looks after Tuesday night6
Here’s how the top half of the table looks after Tuesday night

Match Stats

United had 75% possession at Old Trafford6
United had 75% possession at Old Trafford


Coutinho has not lived up to his reputation during his time in Spain

Raheem Sterling is desperate to fulfil his dream of lifting a trophy with England this summer. The inaugural Nations League finals in Portugal offers Gareth Southgate's men the chance to win the Three Lions' first competitive trophy since the World Cup triumph of 1966.
Harry Kane targets Nations League win to England's trophy drought

Marcos Alonso capitalised on David de Gea’s error as United’s top four hopes faded
Naby Keita injury: Liverpool midfielder forced off during

Ramos and Varane have both been part of Real Madrid’s recent Champions League successes, which saw them win three on the bounce

Sports Mole previews Sunday's UEFA Nations League third-place playoff between Switzerland and England, including team news and predicted lineups. How England could line up against Switzerland.
England vs Switzerland: Livescore from UEFA Nations League

Mane has been in sensational form for Liverpool this season

What Sheyi Ojo will bring to Rangers and why Steven Gerrard is not getting another Ovie Ejaria. The ECHO'S Liverpool writer has offered an insight into the player and his frame that could pose a
Liverpool fans react as Ovie Ejaria departs the club on loan

Higuain with Sarri in September 2015

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira is expected to be out for about a month after having treatment for an irregular heartbeat. Khedira, 31, had further tests after being ruled out of Wednesday's
Juventus Midfielder Khedira Out For A Month - channelstv.com

Everton matched up well with their local rivals and the draw was a deserved result

Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp believes Reds must imitate Manchester City to win Premier League title Liverpool have the chance to go four points clear at the top-of-the-table if they beat Wovles By
Jurgen Klopp believes Reds must imitate Manchester City to
sportsalert.org/2018/12/21/jurgen-klopp-believes-reds-must-imitate-manchester-city-to-win-premier-league-title/
Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool need to be like Manchester City if they want to win the Premier League title this season. Liverpool are the only remaining unbeaten side in the top flight this season and they lead the title race by just one point going into the festive period.
Premier League title race: Liverpool & Man City must win

Llorente has been reliable when called upon

Tony Cascarino claims N'Golo Kante may look to leave Chelsea if he continues to be played out of position by manager Maurizio Sarri. Kante is regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in world football, if not the best, but Sarri has made the strange decision to play the Frenchman in wider and a more attacking role to accommodate new
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri is 'stupid' to keep playing N
hollywoodadviser.com/chelsea-news-maurizio-sarri-is-stupid-to-keep-playing-ngolo-kante-out-of-position-says-tony-cascarino/
Tony Cascarino has said it is 'stupid' for Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri to keep playing N'Golo Kante out of his best position. The World Cup winner has been shifted out from his favoured holding role to a more advanced role on the left side of midfield this season by the new Blues boss.
Rep. Garamendi Says U.S. Has No Choice But to Pass

The versatile James has impressed at Wigan
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham: Nine-man Spurs suffer late defeat

Arnautovic has eight goals and two assists for West Ham this season

Sports Mole provides predicted lineups, team news and a full match preview of the Europa League clash between Chelsea and Hungarian champions Videoton. Chelsea had an early Willian goal to thank
Preview: Liverpool vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

Pochettino could not contain his emotion during his interview

Tottenham and England full-back Danny Rose spoke exclusively with Drivetime […] His gratitude to Mauricio Pochettino for fulfilling England promise, explains Gareth Southgate's 'ruthless' side and his respect for Raheem Sterling - Fussboll
Danny Rose on talkSPORT: His gratitude to Mauricio Pochettino

Karius expects to remain with Besiktas

Tottenham 0-1 Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men hang on to beat Spurs By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Wembley 13 Jan From the section Premier League Share this page Share this with Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Copy this link Read more about sharing.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer drops Manchester United vs Man City team

Gary Cahill’s playing time was severely restricted under Maurizio Sarri

As it happened: Tottenham v Ajax, Champions League semi-final first-leg. We went minute-by-minute as Tottenham faced Ajax in the Champions League semi-finals.

Marseille play at the Stade Velodrome

As League Two Newport County look to cause one of the biggest FA Cup shockers in history, Pundit Arena takes a look at five of the most surprising upsets the competition has ever seen. 5) Wigan 1
The FA Cup's Biggest 3rd Round Upsets | Sports News

No comments:

Post a Comment