Burnley made a winning start to the 2020-21 season by overturning Sheffield United on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
The game finished 1-1 courtesy of goals from David McGoldrick and Matej Vydra; Robbie Brady slotted home the decisive penalty after Oli McBurnie saw his earlier effort saved by Nick Pope.
Match Report
Chris Wilder made wholesale changes to the team that lost against Wolverhampton Wanderers, offering debuts to Jaden Bogle and Max Lowe.
Sean Dyche didn't necessarily have the squad depth to deviate too far away from his main starters. But the Burnley boss gave Jimmy Dunne his first-team debut as James Tarkowski was out with a toe injury.
First Half
Any viewers of the match didn't have time to draw breath with the visitors nudging ahead early on.
It was a well worked move by the Blades and McGoldrick got in front of Dunne to prod home Lowe's driven cross.
It went from bad to worse for Sean Dyche when Johann Berg Gudmundsson was clattered by Jack Robinson.
The challenge forced the Icelander off the pitch on a stretcher and oxygen tanks were required. Robinson was fortunate to escape further punishment and the defender benefited from VAR not being present. Erik Pieters came on as his replacement.
The Clarets fought back and a Kevin Long header forced Wesley Foderingham into an improvised parry.
Later on, Vydra was lively and he was cleaned out by the United keeper, later in the first half, but the forward was adjudged to have been offside.
Second Half
Burnley started well after the break and almost equalised through Brady.
Pieters stormed through the centre of the field before sliding the winger through on goal. Brady had lots of time to adjust himself but his right-footed strike was turned onto the post by Foderingham. Thankfully for Burnley, their endeavours were rewarded shortly after the hour.
Jay Rodriguez flicked Brady's lofted pass into the path of Vydra with his chest. The former Derby County man showed composure to prod the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.
That goal prompted a response from Wilder's men who tried to respond quickly to the setback.
Boyhood Blade Billy Sharp almost restored United's lead after coming off the bench. The goal poacher looked set to slot home from six-yards after finding himself unmarked but Dunne made a superb last-ditch block.
Dyche shuffled his pack by awarding a second senior debut of the night. Josh Benson came onto the scene for Ashley Westwood after 75 minutes.
Vydra was close to a second after throwing himself at Matt Lowton's inviting delivery but his header lacked accuracy.
Substitute McBurnie drilled a low effort towards goal but Long deflected the effort into the side netting. Pope was beaten but the keeper was soon called into action again.
The Burnley stopper reacted well to McBurnie's first-time strike in the box, blocking the shot with his boot, and that action took the game to penalties.
Shootout
The Clarets scored all five of their spot-kicks. In order, Chris Wood, Vydra, Josh Brownhill, Pieters and Brady all found the net.
Pope kept out penalty number-two, from McBurnie, to send Burnley into the next round; 5-4 to the hosts.
Who's next?
Burnley face Millwall in the next round of the tournament.
Player Ratings
Burnley: Pope 7; Lowton 7, Long 6, Dunne 7, Taylor 6; Gudmundsson n/a, Westwood 7, Brownhill 7, Brady 6; Rodriguez 7, Vydra 8.
Subs used: Pieters 7, Benson 6, Wood n/a.
Sheffield United: Foderingham 6; Ampadu 6, Jagielka 6, Robinson 6; Bogle 7, Berge 6, Norwood 6, Osborn 7, Lowe 7; McGoldrick 7, Burke 6.
Subs used: Sharp 6, McBurnie 6, Basham n/a.
Star Men
Matej Vydra: An energetic display that was rewarded with a well-taken goal.
Max Lowe: A solid debut for his new club. Excellent assist for McGoldrick and offered a genuine threat at left-wing-back.