United Fightback Taints Tarkowski's Day

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Clarets denied deserved reward after defender strikes at Old Trafford

2021-04-18T17:18:00.000Z

United Fightback Taints Tarkowski's Day

Clarets denied deserved reward after defender strikes at Old Trafford

2021-04-18T17:18:00.000Z

Dyche: We Need Things That Can Win, Not Just Work - Image 3

James Tarkowski felt the Clarets were within touching distance of another good day at Old Trafford after his first goal of the season almost brought a precious Premier League point.

Tarkowski headed an equaliser against the club he grew up supporting as a boy as Burnley battled to make it five games in a row without losing at Manchester United.

Sean Dyche’s men looked well worth some reward for an impressive performance in their bid to keep the bottom three at arm’s length.

Westwood: We're More Than Capable - Image 1

But two late goals from United ended those hopes as Tarkowski’s effort from an Ashley Westwood corner – just two minutes after Mason Greenwood had given the hosts the lead with the first of his two goals – ultimately proved in vain in a harsh 3-1 defeat.

“It would have been nice to have had a few fans to celebrate with and I’ve got a few mates who are fans of United and it would have been nice to celebrate in front of them too,” said Tarkowski.

“The goal was nice and it’s just a shame we didn’t get anything from it because I felt the performance was good today.

PL REPORT: Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 - Image 1

“After we’d scored we were finding good space and countering well. I thought Woodsy was excellent at holding the ball up and us getting numbers off him with Browny, Dwight and Johann.

“I thought we played really well and created chances and it’s a shame we didn’t get any points.

“We were probably unfortunate to not to get anything out of the game.

“It was a deflected goal for their second one and then we were chasing it and they got the third.

“It was very close to being a good day really.”

The Clarets kicked off the day six points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham, who were denied a win at Arsenal by an injury-time leveller from the Gunners.

PL PREVIEW: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley - Image 5

And while Greenwood’s deflected strike and Edinson Cavani’s injury-time third made it three defeats in a row for Dyche’s side, Tarkowksi believes they are still playing well enough to steer clear of trouble with six games to go – one more than Fulham.

“At this level you get punished and fortune’s not on our side at the minute,” added the defender, who played his part in a resolute performance that threatened to end United’s faint hopes of catching Manchester City in the title race.

“But the mentality is there and the performances are there and we’ve just got to try and keep grinding it out and get some more points on the board.

“We’ve been in this position many a time and the pressure’s on but we have got great belief in ourselves as a squad that we’ll go out there and do the job we’re required to do.

“It’s onto the next one and we’ll look forward to it with hopefully a big performance.”