Burnley 2 – 0 Sheff Utd
Burnley celebrated their promotion back to the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.
The Blades shot themselves in the foot early on after goalkeeper Wes Foderingham got himself sent off, and the Clarets capitalised thanks to a second-half double from substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
It was Burnley’s first game since they secured their passage back into the top flight on Friday night against Middlesbrough, and they showed few signs of a hangover as they moved 14 clear of Sheffield United in second, both having six games to play.
They can now secure the title as early as their next game on Saturday. While Sheffield United are left five points clear of Luton in third, albeit with a game in hand.
Red card costs Sheffield United as Burnley capitalise
Sheffield United would have been hopeful of facing a Burnley side who had taken their foot off the gas, but any realistic chances they had of taking a result from Turf Moor ended after just 17 minutes when goalkeeper Foderingham raced off his line, got into a muddle with team-mate John Egan, and brought down Nathan Tella on the edge of the box. The referee had no choice but to show him a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
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Burnley finally got the breakthrough against 10-man Sheffield United thanks to Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s strike.
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Johann Berg Gudmundsson scored his second goal of the game as Burnley extended their advantage in the second half versus Sheffield United.
Burnley laboured a little throughout the rest of the half, and Vincent Kompany responded with a double change at the break.
One of his introductions, Gudmundsson, made the difference on the hour as he latched onto a smart header from Tella before firing past Adam Davies – the man who replaced Foderingham in the Sheffield United goal.
And it was Gudmundsson again 10 minutes later, who took advantage of another Sheffield United mix-up at the back to find the bottom corner. It proved to be more than enough to get the job done.
What’s next?
Saturday 15th April 12:00pm
Kick off 12:30pm
Both sides are back in Sky Bet Championship action next Saturday. Sheffield United first host Cardiff City, live on Sky Sports Football from 12pm ahead of a 12.30pm kick-off. Burnley head to Reading at 3pm.
