Gunners undone by McDonald double

2nd December 2008

Kevin McDonald steered Burnley into the semi-finals of a major competition for the first time in the 25 years with a superb brace in a 2-0 win against Arsenal at Turf Moor.

The Coca-Cola Championship team booked their place in the last four of the Carling Cup after showing a young Gunners side how to finish. While McDonald rightly took the plaudits, the Lancashire club also had to thank goalkeeper Brian Jensen, who made a string of fine saves to keep his side in front.

Burnley took the lead in the sixth minute after Chris Eagles swung in a superb cross from the right. Arsenal could not clear their lines after goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski failed to gather the ball. McDonald took full advantage to score from the edge of the six-yard box.

Martin Paterson should have extended Burnley's lead when he stole in on the blindside but only succeeded in rattling a shot against Fabianski's body. Arsenal responded in the 37th minute and Nicklas Bendtner sent Mark Randall clear with a clever flick. Randall had only Jensen to beat but the goalkeeper stood tall to make the block.

Burnley extended their lead in the 57th minute with McDonald again showing a cool headed when needed. Randall was caught napping when Eagles delivered a throw-in and McDonald raced clear before curling a delightful shot into the far corner with the outside of his right boot.

Paterson should have made it 3-0 in the 65th minute only to send a soft header into Fabianski's arms following a cross from Robbie Blake. Bendtner should have pulled a goal back with three minutes remaining but the striker failed to capitalise on a good ball from Carlos Vela to put the seal on a miserable night for the Gunners.