Robbie Blake fires Burnley to victory over Man Utd

Burnley 1 Manchester United 0. Owen Coyle's Premier League new boys pulled off the biggest shock of the season to date - and probably for sometime to come - when they defeated the champions Manchester United last night at Turf Moor.

Although Manchester United were poor on a night when their surprise summer signing Michael Owen started and was virtually anonymous, the home side played with verve and skill and went ahead after a rocket from Robbie Blake after 19 minutes.

The remaining 70 minutes saw Alex Ferguson's men lay siege to the Burnley goal, and their goalkeeper Brian Jensen performed heroics to keep everything out, including a penlaty from Michael Carrick after Patrice Evra was brought down in the box.

The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo was sorely felt by Ferguson's men, as was the loss of three-quarters of the regular Man Utd defence, but nothing should be allowed to take away from a famous win for the Clarets.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYINGOliver Kay, the Times: "Fate alone cannot explain the manner in which United were beaten in every department: from the pitch, where they were outfought and just occasionally outclassed, to the dugout, where the impressive Owen Coyle out-thought Ferguson, and most certainly to the stands, where 33 years of frustration gave way to an ear- splitting roar at the final whistle. It was a brilliant night, the type that affirms your faith in everything that is good about Premier League football."

Daniel Taylor, the Guardian: "The opening 45 minutes made depressing viewing for United's supporters, and those who long for Ferguson to be vindicated in his signing of Owen, not least the watching England manager, Fabio Capello. The striker had two chances in this period but barely got a touch of the ball on either occasion. These might be the embryonic stages of his United career but his confidence is already looking brittle and it was strange that when United were awarded their 43rd-minute penalty he was not assigned the role previously filled by the previous wearer of the No 7 shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo."

Matt Lawton, Daily Mail:  "What an incredible evening. What an incredible goal. What an incredible sensation when Robbie Blake’s stunning volley flew beyond the reach of Ben Foster and into the back of Manchester United’s net in the 19th minute.The James Hargreaves Stand shook so violently it was actually a little unnerving. They just do not build stadiums like this these days. That Brian Jensen followed Burnley’s first goal in this division by saving Michael Carrick’s penalty shortly before the interval only added to the drama." ·