EPL

Manchester United 1-1 Burnley: Late Amdouni penalty earns Burnley deserved point at Old Trafford

By Sports Desk April 27, 2024

Burnley boosted their Premier League survival hopes after holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Zeki Amdouni’s calm late penalty moved Burnley within two points of safety with three games remaining.

All the Clarets’ hard work appeared to be in vain when Antony broke the deadlock, but they responded well to ensure a hard-earned share of the spoils.

Burnley remain 19th but are now two points behind 17th-place Nottingham Forest, who host Manchester City on Sunday, while United stay sixth.

Although David Datro Fofana shot straight at Andre Onana inside the opening 30 seconds, United soon established their authority on proceedings with Christian Eriksen curling just wide and Fernandes rattling Arijanet Muric’s right post as they threatened the opening goal.

But the hosts had Onana to thank for keeping Burnley at bay as the first half went on. First, he tipped over Wilson Odobert’s long-range effort, before producing a magnificent reflex save to deny Foster.

Onana kept out Foster again while Alejandro Garnacho fired into the side-netting four minutes before half-time, as both sides returned to their dressing rooms still seeking the breakthrough.

Garnacho continued to carry United’s greatest threat after the break. The Argentine winger shot narrowly wide after a swift counter, before Muric pushed away his powerful volley from a corner.

However, the visitors gifted their opponents the opening goal in the 79th minute, as Antony intercepted Sander Berge’s loose pass before racing away and slotting past Muric.

But there was to be a late twist three minutes from time, when Amdouni coolly rolled home the equaliser from the penalty spot after VAR ruled Onana had fouled the Burnley striker.

Ton up for Fernandes as United stumble

United ended their four-game winless streak when they came from behind to beat Sheffield United in midweek.

However, they have not recorded successive victories since mid-February after Amdouni’s late penalty.

Bruno Fernandes did his best to rally the hosts, becoming the first player this season to create 100 or more chances.

It was in vain however, with Erik ten Hag’s side now having failed to keep a clean sheet in six attempts.

More Old Trafford joy for Kompany

Vincent Kompany won five of his nine Premier League visits to Old Trafford as a player (56 per cent), with only David Silva enjoying a higher success rate among opposing players with eight or more trips (75 per cent).

The Belgian was looking to become the third person to triumph here as a player and manager, after Steve Clarke and Mark Hughes.

While he could not quite achieve that, his side were more than deserving of a point following a spirited display against United.

Now with only one defeat in their last eight games, the Clarets have made themselves difficult to beat at a crucial time in the season, and they will hope it pays dividends in their quest for survival.

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    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    St. Louis City – Joao Klauss

    No St. Louis player has managed more MLS goal contributions than Klauss so far this term, scoring three and adding an assist. He will likely lead the line on Saturday and will hope to score the goals that start turning draws into wins.

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    Despite his team's poor collective start, 20-year-old midfielder Gutierrez has performed well and leads his team with three MLS goals so far this season, while also registering an assist. He will look to build on that and try to turn his side's fortunes around, starting this Saturday.

    MATCH PREDICTION – ST. LOUIS WIN

    St. Louis have kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches, including in the scoreless draw with the Houston Dynamo last time out. St. Louis had managed just two clean sheets in their previous 23 matches in all competitions dating back to last July.

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    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    St. Louis: 55.5%

    Chicago: 19%

    Draw: 25.5%

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