London: British striker Ashley Barnes’ late minute equaliser helped Burnley to hold Manchester City to a 2-2 draw and deny the defending champions to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea.
City took a two-goal half-time lead against Burnley, with David Silva’s opener from a fine curling shot and midfielder Fernandinho doubled the lead in the 33rd minute.
Winger George Boyd scored straight after the break, turning home Danny Ings ‘ shot despite appearing to be offside, to reduce City’s lead to 2-1, the BBC reported.
Then Barnes reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area to smash home a loose ball to earn Burnley a draw.
It was a result that didn’t seem likely at the break, when, despite being without Yaya Toure, Manuel Pellegrini’s side looked sure to cut Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League to a single point and a club record 10th successive win.
Fernando was shown a yellow card for fouling Scott Arfield, a booking that will rule him out of the New Year’s Day encounter with Sunderland, and Pablo Zabaleta needed a bandage applying to a wound sustained in a clash of heads with Eliaquim Mangala.
Pellegrini said that it is a big opportunity to get two more points, adding that at half-time everybody would think the game was over but he always says it is never over until the last minute.
The Chilean claimed that Burnley’s first goal was a mistake by the referee but once it goes to 2-2 his side didn’t have the legs to score.
Pellegrini said that his side were at home, and that is an advantage but added that Chelsea and Manchester United also drew.
