Sheffield United 1–4 Burnley: Three points from safety, Vincent Kompany’s team
Report and free game highlights as Burnley forwards find a merciless finishing streak and Arijanet Muric makes ten saves to give Vincent Kompany’s team hope for Premier League survival
Burnley’s 4-1 thumping of Sheffield United raised hopes for an unexpected comeback and reduced their deficit to just three points.
Ivo Grbic of Sheffield United was at fault again moments later as he let Lorenz Assignon’s meek strike through his defenders. On 38 minutes, Jacob Bruun Larsen punished the Blades for their careless finishing.
Gustavo Hamer’s stunning goal gave Chris Wilder’s team new life, but Lyle Foster’s goal put Burnley back up two goals up. Burnley’s response was merciless.
Finishing off a victory that owed much to Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric—who made 10 saves while the Blades created 2.59 worth of expected goals—was Jóhann Gudmundsson, who came off the bench and scored in just 17 seconds.
Given that Luton lost 5-1 to Brentford and Nottingham Forest is playing Everton on Super Sunday, Vincent Kompany’s team may be trying to hang on.
Sheffield United has five games left and is 10 points from safety.
Burnley’s manager, Kompany, stated: “We’re gaining confidence and momentum.” Sheffield United is a formidable foe who produced opportunities. Errors occurred during significant events, but the belief remains. We produced quality goals and played well. That is encouraging.
For the most part, Sheffield United played with tremendous bite and intensity, creating the better first-half opportunities.
Muric saved a close-range attempt from Oli McBurnie and then came to his side’s rescue again by blocking a strike from Ben Brereton Diaz.
Although it appeared that the Blades would score, the visitors scored twice in the space of two minutes. Wilson Odobert’s deflected shot found its way back to Bruun Larsen, whose sloppy attempt ricocheted off Jayden Bogle and found its way past Grbic.
The goalkeeper failed to wrap himself in glory once more as Assignon sprinted past Brereton Diaz on the right edge of the area and prodded a shot that flew in off Grbic’s outstretched boot.
After the half, Muric made a superb stop to deny James McAtee’s goalbound attempt, and the hosts took the lead when Hamer cut inside and curled a fantastic finish into the far corner. This season, Burnley has let up 26 points from winning positions, so a comeback seemed likely, but Kompany’s team maintained composure and scored the subsequent goal.
Foster was set up by Assignon with a low ball into the box during an attack along the right side, and the striker scored with ease from six yards out.
In less than a minute, Gudmundsson scored a beautiful goal to seal the victory, coming on as Vitinho’s replacement.
After seven games, Kompany’s team has now collected ten points. They are now filled with hope.
Manager of Burnley, Vincent Kompany:
“Belief and momentum are growing. Sheffield United is a formidable foe who produced opportunities. Errors occurred during significant events, but the belief remains. We produced quality goals and played well. That’s encouraging.
“As we go, we’re learning. Because of the difficulty of this league, goals can be lost in a variety of ways. The best defense is a goal, which is what we did today.
“At this level, I anticipate that my players—whether they are wingers or goalkeepers—will have difficulties. That’s just the way the opposition is. We’re talented. Every week, they get better. We constantly anticipate that development. Perhaps it’s no accident that we’re gaining steam as the season draws to a close.
I’ll take today off and try not to concentrate too much. Similar principles apply while competing for a title: you shouldn’t expend energy on uncontrollable factors. We’ve deserved more points for a very long time, in my opinion. We can definitely accomplish that in the upcoming games.”
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder:
“It sums up our season. We should have been 3-0 up inside the first 30 minutes, then all of a sudden we’re 2-0 down. It comes from individual mistakes, mistakes as a unit and a lack of leadership. We talk at half-time about getting the next goal, we get it, and we should be at 2-2. But then same again. We go and concede via a poor bit of defending.
“A pin then goes in our balloon – we’re done for. There’s lots of things that are not right and we get punished. The league is too powerful. When we’re loose, the league is too powerful, even against Burnley who are just above us. You get exposed and punished.”
