JUBILANT Owen Coyle saluted a true team effort as Burnley beat Arsenal 2-0 to reach the League Cup semi-final for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Coyle is the man with the Midas touch when it comes to cup competitions, having twice come within one game of a final when he was in charge of St Johnstone.

But this could eclipse all previous experiences as the Clarets last night became the first non-top flight team to beat the Gunners in almost two decades thanks to two goals from 20-year-old midfielder Kevin McDonald.

“All credit to the players because they are producing the goods,” said Coyle.

“People will talk about individual players, but each and every one of them was magnificent from start to finish.

“It’s been a full house for the first time in 20 years or whatever and we said we would look to make it a fortress.

“We knew Arsenal would have periods of play and undoubtedly we knew they were going to get chances.

“When they did, Brian produced great saves, but it wasn’t just about us scoring two goals.

“We had numerous chances and I knew if we stayed brave, in terms of passing and moving and committing players forward, we would have chances and so it proved.

“I was delighted Kevin took his chances, Martin Paterson could have had a couple of goals on another day and Fabianski had a couple of decent saves as well.

"And over the night, as much as you have to ride your luck at times, I felt we were deserving of our place in the semi-final."

He added: “The effort, the application, desire and hunger - everything I've asked for - was there again.

“The last thing I said to them before they went out (for the second half) was to come in with no regrets and that if we got to our maximum but were beaten by a better team then we could accept that.

“We just didn’t want to feel we let ourselves down, but with this group of players there was no chance of that happening, and from start to finish they gave everything they had to secure a magnificent night for this football club.”

And he admitted the night surpassed the euphoria felt at Stamford Bridge three weeks ago.

“To be talking about Burnley and the semi-final of the Carling Cup in the same breath is magnificent.

“But we're in there and we'll be ready for it when it comes around.

“I do believe a lot of people felt we would win tonight and we certainly felt we had a great chance.

“I'm delighted that was the case.”

Coyle's focus immediately turns to Saturday's Championship game at Sheffield United, but he admitted that, with their place already secured in the final four of the Carling Cup, there was a possibility they could go on to lift the trophy.

“There are only ourselves and three other teams in it now, so we've probably got as good a chance as anybody else,” he said.

“I always loved cup competition as a player, and I think we've shown that we can step up and show that we're a good side.

“I think, as well, that it's a big boost for the Championship because it shows the undoubted quality there is in this division.”