Tuesday 2 December 2008
Burnley vs Arsenal 2-0 Players Rating
BURNLEY
Jensen: 8.5 - Super display from the Burnley stopper. Made numerous stops and ensured Bendtner and Vela had a frustrating evening in front of goal.
Duff: 7.5 – The Northern Ireland international was comfortable defensively and always happy to get things going down the flank.
Carlisle: 7.5 - The pace of Vela troubled him but he grew into the game and will be delighted with the clean sheet.
Caldwell: 7.5 - Used his experienced well. Occasionally caught out by the speed of Arsenal's passing but survived the odd scare.
Jordan: 7.0 – Did his job well, covered when necessary and disciplined.
Alexander: 7.5 - Up against teenagers Ramsey and Wilshere, the 37-year-old was excellent, making vital interceptions and always propelling his men forwards.
Blake: 7.0 – Caused a problem with his runs and continually found Paterson with excellent delivery. His ball in to the forward should have made it three but Fabianski saved.
McDonald: 8.5 – Super display from the match-winner. On hand to slot home the opener and a brilliant run and finish for the second before hobbling off injured shortly afterwards.
McCann: 7.0 - Joined the attack well and some excellent distribution, which initiated several Burnley attacks.
Eagles: 8.0 – The former Manchester United man was a threat all evening and had a hand in both goals. Set up the first with a fizzing cross and his quick thinking from the throw also set up the second.
Paterson: 8.5 – Excellent display and he looked a threat all night long. His presence worried Fabianski for the opener, made numerous clever runs and unlucky not to score himself.
Substitutions
Gudjonsson: 6.5 - Replaced MacDonald and slotted in well for the last half hour.
Akinbiyi: n/a
Elliott: n/a
ARSENAL
Fabianski: 6.5 - Must accept some blame for the first goal for failing to deal with Eagles’ cross. Looked nervy afterwards with some hesitant handling and poor distribution but to be fair also made a number of other important stops.
Hoyte: 6.0 - Had his hands full against Blake and was exposed at times and unable to get forwards and offer any attacking support.
Silvestre: 6.5 - The old man of the team had a decent evening in an unfamiliar back four which, unsurprisingly, looked far from a solid unit.
Gibbs: 5.5 - Burnley found space down the Arsenal left all night long and Eagles in particular enjoyed his evening, setting up the first goal after beating the young full back.
Rodgers: 5.5 - The 19-year-old’s debut only lasted 45 minutes as he was replaced at half-time after a nervy showing.
Randall: 6.0 – Sloppy. Had one good shot on goal after being put through by Bendtner but couldn’t beat Jensen. Came across to cover MacDonald for the second but was beaten far too easily.
Merida: 6.5 – Nearly scored a wonderful goal after beating two men but his effort flew inches wide.
Wilshere: 6.5 - Confident in possession and so silky on the ball but couldn’t really get going.
Ramsey: 6.5- Some gorgeous balls forward but not able to make the difference.
Bendtner: 5.0 – Missed two great opportunities early on. Set up Randall and Vela with lovely flicks but offered very little in the second half before spurning another chance late on.
Vela: 6.5 – Got himself into some great positions and had his chances but couldn’t beat Jensen.
Substitutions
Lansbury: 6.0 - Came on at half time for Rodgers and went to right back but made no improvement to the Gunners.
Bischoff: n/a
Simpson: n/a
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