Sheff Utd 1 Burnley 4
The term ‘six-pointer’ is often thrown around. In the context of the Premier League table, as Sheff Utd welcomed Burnley to Bramall Lane, this seemed like it was worth even more. Defeat for either side would bring the harsh reality of relegation home to roost.
It was almost a perfect start for The Blades as McAtee caused problems down the right. He swung in an inch perfect cross into the path of McBurnie but his shot was saved by the feet of Muric. Sheff Utd cannot afford to be missing chances like this if they are going to stay up.
Wilder’s side had made a good start and Hamer then fed the ball into the path of Brereton Diaz. As he strode into the box, he found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but once again Muric made a great block with his legs. All of this after his calamity last weekend cost them two points.
McBurnie had another chance to score but his vicious strike was tipped over the bar by the Burnley keeper. On another day, Chris Wilder’s side could have been three-nil up in the opening twenty minutes of the game. You wondered whether they would live to regret these missed chances.
Credit: @premierleague
Against the run of play, The Clarets made them pay. In a rare attack, a blocked shot broke to Bruun Larsen on the edge of the box. He fired a shot off at goal, which took a huge deflection off Bogle, wrong-footed the keeper and went in. It was a cruel blow to the hosts.
Moments later Assignon ran towards The Blades’ penalty area. He beat Brereton Diaz and toe-poked an effort towards goal which beat Grbic and doubled the lead for Vincent Kompany’s team. What a difference two minutes was making for the visitors.
Into the second half and Sheff Utd started in positive fashion, much like they had in the first. Hamer found McAtee on the edge of the box, who bent a brilliant effort towards the top corner. Muric made a world-class save to palm it behind for a corner.
Finally, The Blades got their reward. McAtee found Hamer who ran into the box, checked onto his right foot, and bent one into the far corner. Bramall Lane erupted as it seemed Chris Wilder’s side had found a way back into this crucial relegation game.
Muric then played a misplaced pass straight to Brereton Diaz. He drove into the box and got a shot off into the bottom corner but the keeper redeemed himself as he got down well to turn it around the post. He was proving to be a real thorn in the side of Sheff Utd on the day.
Burnley then found the perfect response as Assignon weaved his way in from the right wing, before laying it on a plate for Foster. He stroked the ball home to restore The Clarets two-goal lead. A harsh blow for the hosts, who had worked so hard to get back into this game.
Credit: @BurnleyOfficial
Gudmundsson came off the bench for the visitors and his first involvement proved priceless. As the ball was played to him on the edge of the box, he cut onto his left foot and curled one into the far corner to ensure that the visitors would take all three points.
Bramall Lane emptied out after the goal like they had heard Sean Bean was doing selfies outside the ground. They would have missed Taylor putting a cross into the box, met on the volley by Gudmundsson brilliantly, only to see it thunder off the post and back into play.
It was a huge win for Vincent Kompany’s team and gives them a glimmer of hope that they can still get out of the bottom three. Despite still being mathematically possible, you have to fear that this defeat has condemned Sheff Utd to life in the Championship 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.