Manchester United’s defense of the Premier League title suffered an early blow as the champions slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at promoted Burnley on Wednesday.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team were beaten for the first time this season as Robbie Blake scored a first-half winner for Burnley, who were indebted to goalkeeper Brian Jensen for saving Michael Carrick’s second-half penalty.
Burnley were playing their first home match as a top-flight club for 33 years and marked the occasion with a dynamic display that was too much for the champions.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“We’re disappointed and it wasn’t a great performance by us, but maybe it was Burnley’s night, so many things happened in their box I don’t know how we didn’t score,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson made three changes to the team that beat Birmingham City on Sunday, with Michael Owen handed a first start after his close-season move from Newcastle United.
It was Burnley, promoted via the Championship play-offs last season, however, who seized the initiative in the 19th minute at Turf Moor when Blake pounced on a half-cleared cross and lashed a ferocious volley past Ben Foster.
United had a chance to level when Blake hauled down Patrice Evra, but Jensen, the giant Burnley keeper nicknamed “the Beast” by fans, kept his side ahead by turning away Carrick’s penalty.
Ferguson sent on Dimitar Berbatov for Owen, who is still waiting for his first goal since January, but United were unable to avoid their first defeat against the Clarets since 1968.
“I thought we gave an awful lot to the game in terms of attacking play,” said Burnley manager Owen Coyle, whose team lost their first match at Stoke City on Saturday. “Our players went toe-to-toe and tried to match up with them. The goal was terrific and it was fitting to win any game.”
Liverpool gave the perfect response to Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, as Rafael Benitez’s team claimed a 4-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield.
Fernando Torres opened the scoring early on and Glen Johnson’s first goal for Liverpool made it two, before Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog struck late on.
Torres took just four minutes to put Liverpool ahead as he met Steven Gerrard’s cross with a fine finish.
Benitez’s team took complete control in the 45th minute when James Beattie cleared Kuyt’s header off the line and the ball fell for Johnson, who volleyed home from close range.
Kuyt added the third in the 78th minute, before Ngog’s stoppage time strike sealed the rout.
“We have plenty of room for improvement. Some players are still short of full fitness,” Benitez said.
Tottenham Hotspur maintained their impressive start to the campaign as England striker Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win at Hull City.
Harry Redknapp’s team caught the eye with victory over Liverpool on Sunday and they showed that was no flash in the pan by moving to the top of the table.
Defoe and Wilson Palacios gave them a two-goal lead before Stephen Hunt got one back, but Defoe completed his hat-trick either side of a goal from Robbie Keane.
Redknapp’s team took the lead in the 10th minute when Defoe took Tom Huddlestone’s pass on the edge of the penalty area and worked space to drive home a fine finish.
Honduras midfielder Palacios increased Tottenham’s lead four minutes later when he finished Keane’s pass for his first goal in English soccer.
Hull winger Hunt reduced the deficit when he curled in a long-range free-kick in the 25th minute, but Defoe restored Tottenham’s two-goal advantage on the stroke of halftime.
Keane got on the score sheet in the 78th minute and Defoe’s treble arrived in the 90th minute.
Birmingham City claimed their first win of the season as James McFadden’s injury-time penalty sealed a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at St Andrews.
Alex McLeish’s side were awarded the spot-kick when Portsmouth goalkeeper David James collided with Sebastian Larsson.
Also See: Lyon put five past Anderlecht
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely