Turf Woor – Burnley 3-1 Sunderland

By Taylor Fisher | 19th September 2009

Turf Woor - Burnley 3-1 Sunderland | read this item

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david-nugent The lunchtime kickoff match was as good as advertised. Both teams came into the match with something to prove. Burnley had won eight straight matches at Turf Moor dating back to last season. Sunderland, meanwhile, had only scored two goals in their last nine away matches in the Premier League. So it seemed that the Clarets had the clear advantage.

Add to the fact that Burnley have already beaten Everton and defending champions Manchester United at Turf Moor this season, and it’s clear. Burnley was looking to become the first newly promoted team to win its first three home matches since Blackburn in 1992, but Sunderland wasn’t having any of it.

The first ten minutes of the match saw Sunderland dominate possession. Crosses were flying into the Burnley box and there were a few good chances for the Black Cats. The Burnley offense was only able to bring the ball solidly across midfield once in that ten minute span! It doesn’t matter how little possession you have as long as you are able to take advantage of the few chances you do get.

Finally Burnley was able to make a deep run toward the Sunderland goal in the form of Wade Elliot. He was carrying the ball wide right of the goal and his momentum was carrying him away from causing any real danger. Apparently Anton Ferdinand thought he was a threat, though, because Ferdinand pretty much body checked him right in the box without making a play at the ball.

Burnley obviously received the penalty, and this is where Graham Alexander steps in. If there was ever somebody that you could label Mr. Automatic when it comes to PK’s then Alexander is your man. In his career, Alexander has converted an astonishing 67 out of 71 penalty kicks! Stepping up to the spot looking as cool as the other side of the pillow, Alexander neatly placed the ball right down the middle of the goal. Craig Gordon could do nothing but watch as the ball sailed right by him. Turf Moor exploded in celebration as the Clarets took the 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.

The battle would continue as both teams kept the pressure on one another, but neither could capitalize. That would change in the 38th minute. Sunderland received a throw-in. McCartney gave it to Andy Reid, who took a nice jog across the top of the box completely unchallenged. He then split the defenders with a perfect pass to Darren Bent who had just ran back onside. Now it was just Bent and Brian “The Beast” Jensen. The nickname did not carry enough weight in this situation, though. Bent curled the ball right around him into the back of the old onion bag, his fifth goal of the season. The half would end that way, one goal apiece.

The second half would prove just as exciting as the first half. Both teams were getting their chances, but it was clear that Owen Coyle gave the Clarets a great halftime speech because Burnley came out of the half newly energized. The 62nd minute saw Sunderland try to switch up their attack as Kenwyne Jones came on for Malbranque. This three-pronged attack would hopefully fare better after Malbranque’s less than stellar performance on the pitch this afternoon. It seemed as though virtually every pass and cross made by Malbranque landed at the feet of a Burnley player, which is obviously not what the Black Cats were looking for out of him.

As Sunderland was looking to get their attack going, Burnley were in the process of putting together a nice little attack of their own. Coyle’s boys were able to execute their plan better and quicker. Chris Eagles received the ball on the right flank then passed it back to Wade Elliot – there’s that name again – who then perfectly curled a cross into the the six yard box where Air Nugent had taken flight. The ball rocketed into the back of the net, and David Nugent had scored his first goal for Burnley. Burnley took the lead 2-1, but they were hardly done yet.

Sunderland would attempt to get back into the match, but they just got chippy instead. Ugly fouls and yellow cards became the theme for them in the second half. Beautiful football was Burnley’s plan for the last half hour. After the beautiful football that led to their second goal, Burnley would rinse and repeat the process.

In the 86th minute, Wade Elliot (yet again) received the ball in Burnley’s half of the pitch. He then passed to Mears out on the right flank, who then cut inside and passed to David Nugent at the top of the box with his back to the goal with two men on him. Seemed like a problem at the time, but Nugent was in the zone on this day. In what can only be described as a little “shake and bake,” Nugent fluffed off the double team and created enough space to get off a wonderous curling left footed shot that curved perfectly around a defender, the goalie, and inside the left post. The Turf Moor crazies were bouncing off the wall! The game was sealed! Burnley was up 3-1, and that was how it would end.

The win extended Burnley’s current win streak at home to nine matches. Oh that’s right, eight shutouts later they haven’t given up a goal since March 11th at Turf Moor. Most importantly, they got three points today, which now ties them on nine points with – look at that – Sunderland of all teams. Although Sunderland was extremely disappointed with their performance today, both teams look prepared to have fine seasons. On this day Burnley came out on top, however, and they can bask in all of their glory after a fantastic performance by them today.

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