Burnley’s Tarkowski hands over champagne to jubilant Imps

Burnley defender James Tarkowski gave Lincoln City an extra way to toast their superb Emirates FA Cup shock – by giving the goal-scorer a bottle of champagne.

Tarkowski was awarded the sponsors’ man-of-the-match at Turf Moor, though his excellent display wasn’t enough to stop the Imps becoming the first non-league team to reach the quarter-finals since 1914.

Sean Raggett was the man on target with just moments remaining at the Premier League outfit, with his header continuing the cup dream for the National League side.

And with little of his own to celebrate, Tarskowski handed over his bottle of champagne to Raggett after the Clarets’ Fifth Round shock, citing that his side didn’t deserve to win the tie.

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“Fair play to them. They are a National League team but they are playing way above that at the moment,” said Tarkowski.

“They are knocking teams out from all the leagues above them.

“I just thought they deserved it. They came here and gave their all and have gone away with the result, so I gave the bottle of champagne away to the lad who got the goal and fair play to them.

“They had already knocked out two Championship sides, so we knew it was going to be a tough day. We weren’t expecting them just to roll over.

“But we fully expect to win every game we play in and so it’s disappointing to come away with a defeat and get knocked out of the Cup.”