Burnley Defense Rises Up, Gains Scoreless Draw Against Manchester United

BALTIMORE, Maryland August 30, 2014 - Points have arrived; or, rather, a point has arrived at Turf Moor. Today, the gamely Claret held the monster - or, is it former monster? - Manchester United, to a scoreless draw. Thus, a point for the Claret, and a jumping off point for Sean Dyche. The game was very reminiscent of the 2009 fixture between these two sides at Turf Moor, a match won by the Claret, 1-0, on a goal by Robbie Blake. Today, David Jones' rocket shot carromed off the bar. That's how close Burnley was to a win.

Said the BBC in their report: "Burnley may not have repeated the win Robbie Blake's goal gave them in this fixture in 2009 but this result could prove just as vital in terms of adding self-belief. On this evidence, a first victory will not be long in coming."

With over 21,000 roaring at jam packed Turf Moor, the Claret went to the attack just minutes after the opening whistle. Jones blistering free kick hit the cross bar only 2:56 in. According to reports, the Claret were aggressive until the final 30 minutes when they circled the wagons a bit to gain a certain point. The two sides looked at the draw differently. The Claret, as is shown by the BBC report, were delighted to be on the board. Manchester United, only one point ahead of Burnley after three matches, are in a malaise under new Coach Louis van Gaal. Being winless in three will do that when money flows as freely as it does for the visitors. Their $59.7m British Pound buy of striker Angel Di Maria, is just one example. Di Maria played 70 minutes from the start before retiring with cramps of a sort. The BBC said he showed flashes of brilliance. That is nice. Next weekend Burnely goes to Crystal Palace, which today came from ahead to lose to Newcastle, 3-2.

Burnley keeper Tom Heaton and his defensive mates recorded the first clean sheet in 41 regular season Premier League matches for Burnley. Michael Duff played a key role in his 500th league match. United took seven shots during the match, two of which were on goal. Burnley had nine shots, three of them on target.