|
ESPNsoccernet: England | |
Man of the Match Brian Jensen believes Burnley can go all the way and win the Carling Cup after defeating Arsenal 2-0 to reach the semi-finals.
 |
Kevin McDonald scored either side of half-time to give the Coca-Cola Championship side another major scalp after they disposed of Chelsea in the last round.
Burnley had goalkeeper Jensen to thank for keeping out a youthful Arsenal side with a string of important saves, and when asked if Burnley could win the cup, he told Sky Sports 1: ''Why not? Anything can happen in football.
''With a good draw and a little bit of luck then who knows. We'll see who we get. It's a massive game for the club because it's the semi-finals now. It doesn't really matter whoever we get. We'll probably be underdogs.''
Jensen also praised the efforts of his team-mates and in particular McDonald.
''If they would have scored a goal then it would have been a massive task so it was bit tough but credit to the lads and big Kev, he scored two great goals tonight,'' he said.
McDonald paid tribute to Jensen's efforts and was delighted to get on the scoresheet.
''They are the best goals I have scored in my career,'' he said. ''We have a great keeper here. We knew it would be hard to give 100%. That was the main thing.''
Burnley manager Owen Coyle said he was not surprised at the quality of his side's display.
Coyle said: ''People will talk about individual players but it was a team effort. We are trying to make the place a fortress and this is a real football environment.
''We knew we would have to be focussed because of the quality Arsenal have. They had some good chances but Brian Jensen made some great saves.
''But I felt we deserved the victory on the balance of play. From start to finish the players did everything I asked of them.
''We try and play in the right manner by getting the ball down and passing it. Arsenal are the yardstick.
''But you must have that hunger if you are going to succeed and we have that in abundance.''
Former Dundee star McDonald has suddenly rediscovered his scoring touch after getting his first goal of the campaign in the victory against Derby at the weekend.
Coyle added: ''He is a goalscoring midfielder. He had opportunities prior to Saturday but he is more than that. He is 6ft 3ins, so elegant on the ball and he is getting stronger by the day. I believe he is capable soon of playing week-in, week-out in the Premier League. All the players can enjoy it tonight but they will be back in tomorrow.''
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was left cursing his luck after seeing his talented young side exit the competition.
Nicklas Bendtner should have made the breakthrough before McDonald opened the scoring but his shot was booted clear by Jensen.
It proved to be a pivotal moment and Wenger said: ''It was a game we should never have lost.
''We played quite well, we had six one to ones with the goalkeeper yet were still beaten 2-0. We were always chasing the game and that is difficult for a young team. We showed a lack of concentration at times.
''However it has been a good education for our young players. Many of them were not fazed by the game and gave absolutely everything. We just needed to be more clinical. ''