BEAST A BURDEN FOR THE CLARETS

THERE'S a dodgy groin and a suspect calf but it is rare for a player to be subbed with a strained ego.

Step, or should that be limp, forward Burnley keeper Brian Jensen and collect your dubious honour for the lamest attempt to disguise a 'mare this season.

Popular Jensen has earned himself the fond nickname 'The Beast' at Turf Moor.

But the error which gifted Wigan the momentum to end the Clarets' perfect home record was a monstrosity.

Such is the affection of the Clarets faithful, Jensen was granted sympathetic applause as he limp, limp, limped off two minutes after Hugo Rodallega's 11th-minute equaliser.

Did he milk it? He resembled a dairy farmer as he hobbled off.

It's fortunate for him there was no large screen to replay his humiliation. When Wigan celebrated 80 minutes later, Jensen's mishap had proved pivotal.

In truth, it was tough to work out what was more embarrassing.

The keeper's doziness as he failed to intercept a tame Mario Melchiot pass or the manner in which, after seeing Rodallega tap in, he had a quick look and belatedly realised he had twisted an ankle.

Perhaps this is a disservice. Maybe it was peculiar type of pain that kicked in once the Colombian scored but the delayed reaction left most impartial observers squirming.

Jensen, who had a shocker in the 3-2 defeat at Blackburn last week, had treatment and stayed on for another minute. But his boss Owen Coyle did not wait to assess how seriously the keeper was hurt before replacing him with Peruvian Diego Penny.

Tellingly, the Scot did not offer the kind of early diagnosis to suggest the keeper was wincing with pain in the dressing room. He said: "I haven't had time to check. We'll find out how bad it is tomorrow. It was a bizarre goal but he might have an excuse."

Excused or not, the damage was done, with a blistering start for the hosts irretrievably undermined.

Although the visitors were able to stroll through the later stages, Burnley enjoyed dominant spells but paid for horrific lapses in concentration at the back.

They also hit the bar and met Chris Kirkland in the kind of safe, stubborn form which should get Fabio Capello sampling Wigan's pies in the near future.

Parting gift

Burnley led when Robbie Blake's trickery fed Steven Fletcher for a tap-in after four minutes and their one-touch football threatened to leave Wigan dazed.

And one can only presume Jensen was too busy enjoying his side's confident start to keep his mind on the job. No matter how injured he is, the error came first.

Roberto Martinez is building impressively on the foundations left by Steve Bruce.

Rodallega was one of Bruce's parting gifts and the striker has raised his game under new management and has eight goals in his last 15 appearance.

He grabbed his second yesterday six minutes after the break with a clinical strike with the outside of his right boot.

A thrilling run and shot by the lively Chris Eagles was close for Clarets before defender Emmerson Boyce converted unmarked from a corner on 76 minutes.

Not so long ago Burnley v Wigan might have summoned images of kicking and rushing. Not any more. Goalkeeping shame aside, this was worthy of the highest level.

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