Fresh Hope For Burnley After Sheffield Success
Burnley’s quest to remain in the Premier League has been given a boost after the Vertu Motors-backed side secured a vital win against Sheffield United.
Having only suffered one defeat in the previous six games – albeit against fellow strugglers Everton – Burnley went into the match having been told to ‘go for it’ by manager Vincent Kompany, with three points being vital for both sides in the battle to avoid the drop.
Burnley had won the corresponding fixture at Turf Moor with ease but it was the home side who had the better of the early chances at Bramall Lane – with Oli McBurnie forcing a fine save from Arijanet Muric from close range.
The Burnley ‘keeper – underfire after mistakes in the last two games – then denied Ben Brereton Diaz when one-on-one before tipping an effort from McBurnie over the bar.
Those saves become more important than ever when Burnley hit the front on 37 minutes.
A shot from Wilson Odobert looped into the air and fell at the feet of Jacob Bruun Larsen and although he didn’t manage to hit his effort as sweetly as he hoped, a deflection took it beyond Ivo Grbic and into the net.
Before half-time, Burnley had doubled their advantage as Lorenz Assignon cut in from the wing and poked a shot into the net to give the visitors breathing space.
After Muric denied James McAtee, Sheffield United got back into the game when Gustavo Hamer curled a shot into the net and could have equalised after a mistake from Muric saw the ball end up with Brereton Diaz – with the ‘keeper redeeming himself with a smart save from the Chilean.
Burnley then went two goals clear for a second time when Assignon dribbled into the box and crossed for Lyle Foster to slide the ball home, with Johann Berg Gudmundsson then curling home a fourth with his first kick after coming off the bench.
With Nottingham Forest and Luton Town both being beaten, Burnley are three points from safety with four games left to play.
The first of those comes this weekend, with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Explore the cars available near to Turf Moor.