Full TimePosted at 90’+5′ Second Half ends, Burnley 2, Sheffield United 0.Post updatePosted at 90’+3′ Attempt blocked. Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.Post updatePosted at 90’+2′ Attempt blocked. Dwight McNeil (Burnley) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.Post updatePosted at 90’+2′ Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Rhian Brewster.
Burnley celebrated their return to the Premier League with a resounding victory over second-placed Sheffield United, who played most of the game with 10 men. The Blades had goalkeeper Wes Foderingham sent off after 17 minutes for bringing down Nathan Tella just outside the box. Burnley took advantage of their numerical superiority and dominated possession, but failed to make it count until the hour mark when substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson fired home a low left-footed strike to give them a deserved lead. He then doubled his tally to seal victory with a close-range finish after more hesitant defending from Sheffield United’s side.
The win meant Burnley extended their lead at the top of the Championship over Sheffield United to 14 points, while the Blades have a five-point cushion and game in hand on third-placed Luton. The Clarets were promoted after beating Middlesbrough on Good Friday and are now champions in waiting, needing just five more points from their remaining six matches to secure the title.
The dismissal of Foderingham quelled the early momentum which the visitors had built and boss Paul Heckingbottom was furious with defender Jack Robinson as he immediately withdrew him to bring on substitute keeper Adam Davies. Davies was almost beaten within moments of his arrival as Ian Maatsen’s free-kick was deflected just over the crossbar. United might have been fortunate not to be reduced to nine men when Oli Norwood went in late on Maatsen soon after but referee Michael Salisbury did not see it as a foul.
Burnley dominated possession following Foderingham’s departure but had nothing to show for their efforts until the hour mark when Gudmundsson fired home his low left-footed strike. Fellow substitute Manuel Benson came close to giving Burnley the lead after the break when he fired against the side netting with a shot from outside the box. Gudmundsson then sealed victory with a close-range finish after more hesitant defending from Heckingbottom’s side.
The Clarets have gone unbeaten in the league since their 5-2 defeat to Sheffield United in November and are now champions in waiting. They need just five more points from their remaining six matches to secure the title and celebrate their return to the Premier League with a well-deserved victory over their closest challengers.