Burnley boosted its season’s safety hopes while further injuring Sheffield United with a 5-0 win over the 10-man Blades at Turf Moor on Saturday in a massive game at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Jay Rodriguez scored after just 15 seconds and it was two through Jacob Bruun Larsen before the match was a half-hour old.
Oliver McBurnie picked up his second yellow card of the game for a wayward airborne elbow in first-half stoppage time, and Burnley further punished their visitors with late goals from Zeki Amdouni, USMNT-eligible Luca Koleosho, and captain Josh Brownhill.
WATCH BURNLEY v SHEFFIELD UNITED FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Burnley’s seven points are two behind 17th-place Luton Town and two clear of Blades. Perhaps crucially, the blowout raises their goal differential to minus-17 while expanding Sheffield United’s to minus-28. The sides entered the game with Burnley’s minus-22 GD just one better than the Blades’ total.
Vincent Kompany’s side were devastated to lose 2-1 at home to West Ham last weekend, as the Clarets led 1-0 with a few minutes to go but let in two late goals to extend their record-equalling run of seven-straight home defeats to start the season. This win stops them from standing alone in the Premier League record books, but also boosts the Clarets within two points of the safe places.
This game was also in the must-win category for Sheffield United as Paul Heckingbottom’s side were booed off at home last weekend as they were hammered 3-1 by Bournemouth. Their leaky defense and second-rate roster was often exposed by a fellow promoted side. Heckingbottom may be scapegoated soon, but it’s unsure anyone would have the Blades in a better spot right now.
Burnley exhales
Vincent Kompany won’t see his blood pressure lower too much but he can at least proffer a solid sigh of relief with a solid win.
Burnley’s been hard luck at times this season and Saturday’s performance at Turf Moor was deserved by the boss, his players, and the Turf Moor crowd.
The Clarets have an uphill climb to safety but are above Blades in quality and there’s no arguing that. Goals for Koleosho and Amdouni provide further hope, as either player finding form in finishing could be the boost needed for a proper safety fight.
Will Sheffield United make it to January transfer window with hope?
It’s fitting that this hammer blow from Burnley comes with Sander Berge on the pitch, as Sheffield United’s failure to keep the Norwegian nor fill the vacuum left by his transfer was one of two terrible mistakes this offseason.
It’s not this writer’s job to say whether Heckingbottom is completely above reproach, but the Blades are just clearly the Premier League’s bottom side in talent (especially when down a man).
The Blades entered this game absolutely battered in almost every metric, especially in open play where they had been out-attempted 181-91 after just 12 games.
They finish 2023 with Liverpool (H), Brentford (H), Chelsea (A), Villa (A), Luton (H), and Man City (A). If there’s more than four points in there they’d be right to be happy, so will the Blades be able to add in January or will they be hopeless by the time they begin their 2024 on Jan. 21?
What’s next?
Burnley goes to Wolves at 2:30pm ET Tuesday before heading to Brighton at 10am ET Saturday.
Sheffield United is home for Liverpool on Wednesday and then greets Brentford on Saturday.
Burnley vs Sheffield United final score: 5-0
Goal: Rodriguez (1'), Bruun Larsen (29'), Amdouni (73'), Koleosho (75'), Brownhill (80')
Red card: McBurnie (45'+1)
How to watch Burnley vs Sheffield United live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (December 2)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Burnley vs Sheffield United player ratings
Burnley vs Sheffield United player ratings (fotmob.com)
Burnley vs Sheffield United player ratings (fotmob.com)
Burnley vs Sheffield United as it happened- by Nick Mendola
Zeki Amdouni, Luca Koleosho, Josh Brownhill open the floodgates
It took Burnley sometime to apply the finishing touches to this win, but they then added bells and whistles to the comfortable win.
Amdouni scored and cued up a Koleosho goal before Brownhill’s late laser gave us the probable final score.
Oli McBurnie red card
Well, that could just be it.
We’re just into first-half stoppage time when Oli McBurnie, on a yellow, goes up for a 50/50 and his wayward elbow smacks into the face of his opponent.
it’s a super easy yellow, and a dejected McBurnie has no complaints.
Down 2-0 and opening the door for more.
Jacob Bruun Larsen goal
Jacob Bruun Larsen’s run to meet Dara O’Shea’s long pass is perfectly-timed. It’ll need great defending to keep him from waltzing onto goal.
And Luke Thomas is out to lunch.
Bruun Larsen gets right to the doorstep and slots past a diving Foderingham and inside the far post.
Jay Rodriguez goal! A 1st (quarter) minute opener for the Clarets
Sheffield United has been pretty vulnerable this year, but 15 seconds?
That’s how long it took Jay Rodriguez to turn a cross past Wes Foderingham, as Burnley has darted in front here at Turf Moor.
Misery for Blades and under-fire boss Paul Heckingbottom.
Burnley lineup
The Clarets that make up today's team at Turf Moor 👇 pic.twitter.com/QiASaKAkrn
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) December 2, 2023
Sheffield United lineup
McBurnie & Archer lead the line! 💪
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 2, 2023
Here is how the Bladesmen line-up. 📲 pic.twitter.com/uJME1IfBNs
Focus on Burnley, team news
Scoring goals remains a huge problem for Burnley and they are getting into some great positions but just can’t finish. Jay Rodriguez scored a penalty kick last weekend but then switched off to allow West Ham to score a late winner and Burnley keep making poor mental errors at the worst possible time.
OUT: Lyle Foster (personal), Jack Cork (other)
Focus on Sheffield United, team news
The Blades were totally blown away by Bournemouth last time out and yes, they have defensive injuries to deal with but they’re being too passive in games. Now is the time for them to take the game to Burnley and they have to start this game quickly. Getting the ball to Ollie McBurnie and Cameron Archer from wide areas has to be their plan.
OUT: John Egan (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), Tom Davies (thigh), Daniel Jebbison (illness), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Rhian Brewster (thigh)
