Barnes Savours Manchester City Point

Ashley Barnes hailed another fantastic team performance after his late strike earned the Clarets a point at reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. 

Burnley had trailed 2-0 at half-time after David Silva’s goal was followed up by a wonderful Fernandinho finish. 

But a second half performance to savour saw a comeback instigated by Boyd and completed by Barnes on 81 minutes. 

And after denying Manchester City victory against a newly-promoted team at the Etihad for the first time since November 2009, against Burnley, Barnes was delighted to come away with a ‘magnificent point’. 

Barnes said: “The lads put in the hard work all throughout the game and to go away with a point against the champions is magnificent. 

“The gaffer wanted us to go out and get in their faces a bit more in the second half and we did. We started straight from off and got an early goal. 

“That was a real boost for us and we kicked on from that. 

“Then we were always pushing for an equaliser and lucky enough the ball has fallen for me and I’ve put it in. 

“I’ve got up and won the header and it hits Mangala then Keano and landed there perfect for me, after that what happened was just amazing.” 

“This is what we thrive on, to play teams like this and show exactly what we can do up against the best. 

 “All I can do on a personal level is give 110% and that’s all I try and do. These are the games are the ones you want to play in and it’s paid off again.” 

Much was made of festive fixture congestion, but Sean Dyche named an unchanged side for the fifth game in a row at the Etihad. 

And with a quick turnaround before a trip to Newcastle United on New Year’s Day, Barnes insists his teammates are ready to fire again. 

“We know that as a group of lads that we can keep going and it’s a big strength of ours fitness. 

“There is no reason why we can’t go there and get a result or anyone in this league. We showed our capabilities against the champions. 

“Teams might be starting to panic about playing us now because we’ve got nothing to lose and we’ll continue to play with freedom.”