Sheffield United 5-2 Burnley: Blades end Clarets' unbeaten run

Sheffield United stopped Burnley's 16-match unbeaten run with a decisive second-half showing.

Sheffield United 5-2 Burnley: Blades end Clarets' unbeaten run
Photo: Andrew Kearns/CameraSport via Getty Images
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By John Lupo

Sheffield United scored four unanswered goals to remain third in the EFL Championship table with a 5-2 victory over leaders Burnley at Bramall Lane.

The Clarets were in front when Blades defender Jack Robinson scored into his own net, but Iliman Ndiaye hauled the hosts level on the half-hour mark.

Manuel Benson restored Burnley's lead in the final minute of the first half after pinching possession from Robinson deep in his own half.

Immediately out of halftime, Sheffield United were again on equal terms thanks to a diving header by Oli McBurnie, who had seen an earlier effort cleared off the line.

Robinson atoned for his defensive lapses by scuffing home a shot, Anel Ahmedhodzic made it 4-2 from six yards and McBurnie added a second and the Blades fifth.

By ending a four-match winless run at home, Sheffield United leapfrog Blackburn into second place, three points behind Burnley, who saw their remarkable 16-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end.

Story of the match

Sheffield United nearly took advantage when Arijanet Muric was indecisive from an Oliver Norwood corner and McBurnie beat Robinson to the ball at the near post from a second corner, but headed wide.

On 17 minutes, Burnley opened the scoring in fortunate circumstances. A corner was only partially cleared and from the subsqeuent corner by Ian Maatsen was curled goalwards by Benson, Robinson heading it past Wes Foderingham.

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The hosts sought an instant response from a corner with McBurnie looking the likeliest, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis should have done better after being set up by Anass Zaroury.

After Enda Stevens was whistled for halting the progress of Benson, the Blades levelled as McBurnie headed towards goal from a Norwood corner and Ndiaye was on hand to finish.

Burnley looked to hit back on the counter with Zaroury, but Foderingham was on hand to deny him. Maatsen followed up by hitting the crossbar.

A minute before halftime, Robinson slipped and the lively Benson took full advantage, slotting the ball past a diving Foderingham to put the Clarets in front 2-1.

Sheffield United equalized almost immediately after the restart. Robinson scooped the ball into the area and after an Ahmedhodzic knockdown, McBurnie headed home at the back post.

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Ndiaye thought he had given the Blades the lead, but the goal was called back for offsides. 

In the 64th minute, the hosts did go in front for the first time in the match. From a corner, Ahmedhodzic headed against the crossbar, John Egan won the rebound and Robinson diverted into the back of the net.

After Muric denied McBurnie twice, Ahmedhodzic made it a two-goal game. After the Clarets failed to clear another corner, Ben Osborn cycled the ball back in and the Bosnian spun to shoot and beat Muric.

Five minutes later, Sheffield United added a fifth. A teasing ball by Norwood was controlled by Sam Baldock with Muric saving, but McBurnie scored on the rebound.

The Scot came off following a yellow card and late on, Foderingham was called into action, saving from a Harwood-Bellis corner with John Fleck clearing any further danger.

During stoppage time, Andre Brooks and Oliver Arblaster were brought on for their senior debuts, replacing Baldock and Fleck.

Player of the match: Oli McBurnie

The striker continued his fine form with two goals and an assist. He set up the first Sheffield United goal with a header inside that Ndiaye converted, showed off good reactions to level on the dive and got up in support of Baldock to bury a fifth.