Wood nets in win over Man United
All Whites star Chris Wood scored his 10th goal of the English Premier League season in Burnley’s 2-0 win at Manchester United yesterday.
It is the third consecutive season that Wood has reached double figures since joining Burnley in a $26 million move from Leeds United.
The Kiwi sharpshooter gave Burnley a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute at Old Trafford when he cracked a stylish left-footed shot past United goalkeeper David de Gea after Ben Mee flicked on a long freekick from Ashley Westwood.
The Guardian newspaper blog noted: ‘‘Wood’s finish was excellent, his reactions commendably quick as the ball sat up for him about 10 yards from goal’’.
Wood’s striking partner Jay Rodriguez doubled the advantage with a superbly-struck shoot from the left edge in the 56th minute to give Burnley their first win at Old Trafford since 1962.
‘‘Looking at replays of that Rodriguez goal, it gets better with every viewing,’’ The Guardian blogger reported.
‘‘There didn’t appear to be anything on for him, but the ball sat up nicely as he unleashed the shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar from a very tight angle.’’
Burnley defended grittily to maintain their advantage to the final whistle while Manchester United fans jeered their team as they failed to break their goal drought.
The embarrassing defeat to Burnley is sure to place more pressure on United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Former United and England star Rio Ferdinand – now a BT Sport pundit – said: ‘‘I have played with Ole, he is an ex teammate of mine but the results have not been good enough. He has had some key players get injured but with the big amount of money spent on this squad you would expect more in reserve.’’
Wood, 28, told BT Sport after the final whistle: ‘‘We grinded it out at times, but that’s what we’re good at. We got the two goals and put in a great defensive performance.’’
It was Wood’s second goal in four days after he helped Burnley snap a five-match losing streak with a 2-1 win over his former club Leicester City at Burnley’s Turf Moor ground on Sunday.