Sheffield United ended Burnley's hopes of a First Division play-off place with
an emphatic win at Bramall Lane.
United's Peter Ndlovu and Carl Asaba scored the goals that handed the Blades
their first home win since February.
Burnley, who had Kevin Ball sent off for two bookable offences, were unlucky
not to come away with a point.
Gareth Taylor and substitute Andy Payton both went close for the visitors.
But after Birmingham and Preston both secured victories, Burnley would have
been left with an uphill struggle even if they had beaten United. They can be
proud of their achievements after their promotion from the Second Division last
season.
The visitors started the game brightly with former Sheffield United striker
Taylor going close on 12 minutes. The striker's header from 10 yards from a Paul
Cook free-kick forced United keeper Frank Talia into a fine save.
At the other end United's Paul Devlin fired wide of the target with a low
drive from the edge of the area.
Indeed, it was the home side who took the lead despite missing a penalty. The
Blades were awarded the spot-kick after Mitchell Thomas was adjudged to have
pushed Ndlovu in the back.
Devlin's attempt from 12 yards was saved by keeper Nik Michopoulous, only for
Asaba to fire the rebound back into the danger area, before Ndlovu smashed the
ball home from 10 yards.
The game turned sour as the referee dished out yellow cards to Burnley duo
Taylor and Davis for two crude challenges.
In the second half Burnley took the game to United as they looked to secure a
vital equaliser. On 47 minutes Taylor headed wide a Lee Briscoe free-kick while
Davis blazed over from 30 yards.
United went close to doubling their lead, but Flynn's chip from 12 yards was
cheekily caught with one hand by Michopoulous.
Burnley brought on Andy Payton as they switched to a 4-3-3 formation. The
veteran striker went close to making an immediate impact but fired over from 25
yards. As Burnley pressed the visitors were reduced to 10 men after Ball
received his second yellow card of the game for a challenge on Devlin.
The game was put beyond Burnley's reach when Asaba broke clear to fire past
Michopoulous from 16 yards.
Teams
Sheff Utd: Talia, Doane, Murphy, Morrison (Thomas 11), Curle,
Devlin, Jagielka, Ford, Ullathorne, Asaba (Kozluk 90), Ndlovu,
Thomas (Montgomery 74).
Subs Not Used: Suffo, Uhlenbeek.
Booked: Curle.
Goals: Ndlovu 21, Asaba 90.
Burnley: Michopoulos, Thomas, Davis, Maylett (Payton 63),
Briscoe (West 59), Cook (Smith 77), Armstrong, Mullin, Ball,
Taylor, Moore.
Subs Not Used: Cox, Crichton.
Sent Off: Ball (87).
Booked: Taylor, Davis, Ball.
Att: 20,013
Ref: D Laws (Whitley Bay).
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