Man City 3-3 Burnley
Burnley's fans had something to shout about in Manchester
Saturday, 07, Nov 2009 04:58
By Darren Estwick.
A late, late goal by Kevin McDonald secured Burnley a remarkable 3-3 draw at the City of Manchester stadium after Manchester City had come from two goals behind.
City, who have now failed to win their last five games found themselves behind after two early goals by an attacking Burnley side. But three goals inside 15 minutes turned the game on its head and the result of the match in seemingly little doubt.
But a goal three minutes from time by McDonald managed to ensure that the points would be shared and heap more pressure on City manager Mark Hughes.
It all started so badly for the home team however with slack defending by central defensive pair Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.
In the 19th minute a cross by Tyrone Mears hit the outstretched arm of Lescott for a penalty to Burnley which was dispatched easily by Graham Alexander.
With City struggling for fluency Burnley sensed that this could be the chance to win their first away match of the season. Midway through the half a neat move by the away side resulting in a cross by Chris Eagles was tapped home by Steven Fletcher from close range.
City got themselves back into the game when a shot by Sean Wright-Phillips took a big deflection to ensure the deficit was halved just before half time and to effectively set up a potential second half onslaught, which duly came.
Two of the first half's biggest culprits, Lescott and Toure were heavily involved in the equalizing goal. Lescott cut the ball across the face of the goal, straight to the oncoming Toure who couldn't miss.
The goal was coming as City finally decided to show why man have tipped them for a top four finish in the league this season.
Three minutes later and the comeback was complete when a long ball by Lescott to eventually found Wright-Phillips whose cross found the in-form Craig Bellamy who slotted the ball past Burnley keeper Brian Jensen.
City began playing with a swagger, buoyed by their passionate home support. Chances came and went until once again bad defending by the City backline meant late heartbreak.
Fletcher's cross was met by Mcdonald right in the centre of the area who blasted the ball past Shay Given and create a fitting finale for an entertaining match.
At Ewood Park Blackburn Rovers also produced an impressive comeback to beat Portsmouth 3-1 despite losing at half time.
It was Pompey who looked the more assured early on in the game. On loan midfielder Jamie O'Hara opened the scoring with a strike from outside the area which should have been saved by a cumbersome looking Paul Robinson.
In what may have been the significant turning point in the game an untidy scuffle between goal scorer O'Hara and Pascal Chimbonda resulted in the Rovers defender throwing a punch at the midfielder only to receive a yellow card when it so easily could have been red.
Eleven men Rovers then managed to get on level terms right after half time when a knock down by Ryan Nelson fell to Jason Roberts who stabbed home from close range.
The goal lifted the home fans and their team as Portsmouth increasingly found themselves under the cosh whilst still creating chances themselves.
Then in the 74th minute a corner by David Dunn found the head of Nelson whose powerful header flew past David James. Rovers rounded up the scoring two minutes from full time when Roberts rounded off a slick move.
Benni McCarthy was released down the left wing where he proceeded to whip in a cross fit for a winger straight to Roberts who finished past James with ease to ensure an important win for Sam Allardyce.