Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton earned the praise of his manager Sean Dyche following a heroic display in the goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The England international had a busy afternoon as the Red Devils had 37 shots at goal and 17 corners in a game they dominated. Heaton was not for beating, however, producing world-class saves in each half to deny first Jesse Lingard and then Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Burnley were resolute in keeping Man United, who finished with ten men, at bay and Dyche said his goalkeeper was central to that effort.
“Tom was excellent and he knows he is going to have to be on top form,” he said. “But he is a very good goalkeeper and he continues to mature and work at his game and the biggest thing for me is he has that inner belief that goalkeepers need, that the ball is not going to go in the net.”
Heaton meanwhile revealed the second-half stop from Ibrahimovic almost had enough power to do damage. The Swedish striker connected perfectly with an acrobatic shot at the back post shortly after the hour, but Heaton spread himself starfish-like to produce a stunning one-handed save.
Such was the ferocity on the shot, the Burnley netminder needed treatment on his arm. “I knew I had two men behind me on the line, so I thought I’d get out, close the space and spread,” Heaton said.
“Thankfully it has hit me but it nearly broke my arm!” Burnley are 2.88 to defeat Crystal Palace at Turf Moor on Saturday. The visitors are 2.40 while the draw is 3.20.
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