Sheffield United were on the receiving end of another hammering at home, this time to relegation rivals Burnley. Despite glimpses of promise from the home side, it was Burnley who ultimately secured the spoils with a 4-1 win.
Blades manager Chris Wilder made strategic changes to the lineup, hoping to inspire a turnaround in fortunes. However, despite the inclusion of Souza and McAtee, and the fitness clearance of Bogle, the Blades found themselves facing an uphill battle early on.
Lineups
Blades: Grbic, Trusty, Hamer (Norwood 78), McBurnie (Brooks 78), Brereton-Diaz, Ahmedhodzic, Bogle, Souza (Archer 68), Osborn, Arblaster, McAtee.
Unused: Foderingham, Slimane, Larouci, Curtis, Holgate, Osula.
Burnley: Muric, O’Shea, Taylor, Berge, Foster (Fofana 84), Assignon, Vitinho (Gudmundsson 70), Cullen, Esteve, Bruun Larsen (Brownhill 59), Odobert (Amdouni 84).
Unused: Trafford, Rodriguez, Benson, Ekdal, Tresor.
First half
Sheffield United started with vigor, creating several opportunities within the opening exchanges. McBurnie, who first had a great opportunity, and Brereton-Diaz, tested the Burnley defence but Muric in the visitor’s goal proved a tough nut to crack, denying United’s early attempts at his goal in front of the traveling Burnley fans.
However, luck favoured Burnley as Bruun Larsen’s deflected volley found its way past Grbic in the 38th minute, followed a couple of minutes later by Assignon’s well-placed shot, doubling the visitor’s lead.
Second half
Despite a spirited response early in the second half from Sheffield United, Muric was on hand once again to deny the home side. This time it was McAtee’s fabulous left-footed effort which stung the outstretched palm of the Clarets’ keeper.
In the 52nd minute, Burnley’s back line was finally breached by Hamer’s goal, United’s, midfielder sat a defender down with a lovely fake shot before placing the ball into the far side netting.
Encouraged by the goal, Brereton-Diaz seized upon a wayward pass from Muric, who then redeemed himself with a low save to his right. And after that scare, Burnley maintained control, and eventually extended their lead further.
Moments before the hour mark, Foster added a third for Burnley in simple fashion. The Blades failed to mark their men in the box which lead to Assignon squaring the ball to Foster, who had no pressure on him whatsoever, as he passed the ball into the bottom right corner.
In 71st minute, Gudmundsson added a fourth with possibly his first touch of the game after coming on as a substitute seconds beforehand.
Efforts to spark a Sheffield United comeback fell short, with Muric showcasing his goalkeeping prowess to deny further attempts from Souza, Brereton-Diaz, and Archer. Despite a valiant late solo effort from Bogle, the Blades couldn’t overturn the deficit, ultimately succumbing to Burnley.
The disappointment was palpable at Bramall Lane as United’s aspirations were dashed by a resolute Burnley side. While moments of promise emerged, the defence and goalkeeper was once again brought into question in yet another poor and performance and embarrassing result.
