Burnley 5 Sheff Utd 0
Vincent Kompany’s side went into this game with one of the worst records in the history of top-flight football but knew it was a massive opportunity as they welcomed fellow strugglers Sheff Utd to Turf Moor. Even this early on, it was the proverbial six-pointer.
It was an interesting proposition, the team with the worst home record playing the team with the worst away record in the Premier League. Something had to give. Between them, these two teams had conceded 66 goals this season, surely no chance of a nil-nil draw.
The hosts made the perfect start as Taylor got down the left and put in a pin-point cross onto the head of Rodriguez who put The Clarets ahead with only 15 seconds on the clock. Turf Moor erupted, with fans feeling this may be their day.
Sheff Utd tried to work their way straight back into the game with a long throw into the box. It was half cleared and Norwood struck it from outside the box, forcing a decent save out of Trafford in the Burnley goal.
Credit: @BurnleyOfficial
Paul Heckingbottom has one major problem with this side of his. Their defence often looks frailer than Joe Biden climbing the stairs to Air Force One. This was proved as a ball over the top set Larsen through to slot past Foderingham.
McBurnie was lucky to escape with a yellow card for elbowing an opponent, leaving Kompany reeling on the touchline. As a long ball was sent forward by The Blades keeper, he then struck the same player in the face, this time with a forearm. His reward, an early bath.
Hamer burst through the middle of the park in the second half and only a smart block by Trafford could prevent Osula pulling a goal back for Sheff Utd. Burnley had failed to push home their man advantage since the sending off.
That was to change as Amdouni burst into the box and drilled a shot into the bottom corner to ensure that the points were going to Vincent Kompany’s side. He almost got another but Foderingham parried and Koleosho struck the woodwork with his follow up.
Still waiting for his first Burnley goal, Koleosho did not have to wait much longer as he struck a shot in off the inside of the post to send the home fans into dreamland. These were the sort of games they were hoping to see when they got promoted.
The Clarets made it three goals in seven minutes when Brownhill side-footed an effort past The Blades’ keeper to make the visitors’ day even worse. By this stage Heckingbottom must have been wondering whether he would get Christmas off to spend time with the family.
Credit: @BurnleyOfficial
Burnley tried hard to grab another goal but Sheff Utd somehow found the motivation to continue defending despite suffering a heavy defeat against their relegation rivals. The fans who made the trip from Sheffield must have been wishing they had gone Christmas shopping with the other half.
It was a morale-boosting victory for Vincent Kompany’s side as they moved themselves off the bottom of the table. He will be hoping that his squad can use this as a springboard to get the points they will require to remain a Premier League side next season.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.