Alexander spot-on for Clarets

Veteran on the spot to cancel out Fabregas opener

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 16th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Alexander spot-on for Clarets

Alexander: Bagged equaliser

Man of the match: Chris Eagles. Great energy and creativity down the Clarets' right.

Goal of the match: Cesc Fabregas' opener, which he took with style after showing great persistence.

Moment of the match: Graham Alexander smashing home his 100th career penalty from the spot to level thing things up.

Save of the match: Manuel Almunia had to be sharp to turn Vermaelen's wayward back-header onto the crossbar.

Talking point: Can Burnley maintain their mid-table league position after another impressive home result?

Related links

Teams

Also see

Burnley showed great character to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Arsenal at Turf Moor.

Owen Coyle's side started the brighter of the two sides, but Arsenal took the lead when Cesc Fabregas capitalised on some poor defending to prod past Brian Jensen after eight minutes.

The visitors nearly doubled the lead just minutes later when Andrey Arshavin burst through into the box, only to see his shot hit the bottom of the post.

The Clarets battled back and levelled on 28 minutes, Graham Alexander smashing a penalty past Manuel Almunia after Andre Bikey had been fouled by Thomas Vermaelen.

Burnley went into the match looking to emulate their Carling Cup heroics of last season, where they dumped Arsene Wenger's side out of the competition while they were still a Championship side.

Coyle has led his side to an impressive mid-table position in the Premier League, and at Turf Moor, they have looked more than a match for anyone.

Arsenal could have been forgiven for going into the match doubtful of coming away with anything, given that the Clarets had beaten Manchester United at home and had lost just once in the league there all season.

And the hosts looked like they were going to add to their list of scalps right from the start, starting brightly and putting the Gunners on the back foot.

They nearly took the lead as early as the third minute when Chris Eagles' floated free-kick picked up Clarke Carlisle.

The defender rose highest and headed goal wards, leaving Vermaelen uncertain. The Belgian nodded it backwards in his haste, and the ball looped up over Almunia.

Persistence and class

The stopper was able to rescue his defender though, making an excellent recovery to turn the ball onto the crossbar and out to safety.

The crowd sensed an early goal, but they were pegged back as Arsenal came into life and found their stride.

They went ahead after seven minutes thanks to the persistence and class of Fabregas.

Samir Nasri retrieved an attack after Carlisle had headed away a Theo Walcott cross.

The ball then made its way to Fabregas on the edge of the area and Burnley, despite several attempts, could get it off him as he weaved through and fired into the bottom corner.

Arsenal then turned up the heat and Arshavin then struck the foot of the post with a fierce left-footed drive from 18 yards.

A second goal so soon after the first could have ended it for Burnley, but they responded with gusto and hauled themselves level.

Bikey - a towering presence in the Burnley midfield - showed great skill to carry the ball into the Arsenal box.

As he was about to skip past Vermaelen the defender left his foot outstretched and brought the Cameroonian down.

Alexander stepped up and he rattled his side level with his 100th league penalty, firing down the middle after Almunia had already dived.

Arsenal were stung into a response and a fine ball from Fabregas was seized on by Arshavin only for Jensen to save well at the Russian's feet.

The visitors' hopes of regaining the lead were dealt a serious blow just before the interval as captain Fabregas limped off with an injury, Aaron Ramsey coming on in his place.

Subdued

The second-half was subdued compared to the first, although it was the home side who always looked the more threatening.

Arsenal did piece a good move together to shift the ball from left to right but Walcott, having been frustrated by Stephen Jordan throughout, blazed over.

The England winger was duly subbed shortly after enduring a tough night in which full-back Jordan kept the pace man under wraps.

Burnley burst back into life on the hour as Eagles beat Mikael Silvestre and Nasri on a powerful run and then blasted against the post.

Almunia was then given a massive reprieve when he failed to collect a Bikey cross from the right, the keeper looking back in horror as the ball went past him and Steven Fletcher bundled into the net.

Fortunately for the Spaniard, the assistant referee had his flag-up and the home celebrations were cut short.

Eagles then fired narrowly over and Eduardo had a free-kick comfortably saved by Jensen as both sides pushed to the end.

It will have been Coyle's men that finished the happier with the draw, Arsenal boss Wenger no doubt disappointed his side could not close the gap on leaders Chelsea.

BurnleyTeam StatisticsArsenal
1Goals1
11st Half Goals1
2Shots on Target7
5Shots off Target9
2Blocked Shots4
3Corners6
11Fouls12
8Offsides4
2Yellow Cards0
0Red Cards0
66.9Passing Success74.3
17Tackles32
76.5Tackles Success81.2
45.9Possession54.1
48.6Territorial Advantage51.4

BurnleyTeam StatisticsArsenal
1Goals1
11st Half Goals1
2Shots on Target7
5Shots off Target9
2Blocked Shots4
3Corners6
11Fouls12
8Offsides4
2Yellow Cards0
0Red Cards0
66.9Passing Success74.3
17Tackles32
76.5Tackles Success81.2
45.9Possession54.1
48.6Territorial Advantage51.4
Click Here for Your Free Bet

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private