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Sheffield United fight back to earn draw at Burnley and keep European hopes alive

John Egan scored Sheffield United's equaliser late on - NEWS GROUP
John Egan scored Sheffield United's equaliser late on - NEWS GROUP

John Egan's first Premier League goal earned Sheffield United a point at Burnley as the two European hopefuls shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

Egan's volley 10 minutes from time cancelled out a first-half strike from Burnley's stand-in skipper James Tarkowski.

At the start of the season not many would have expected either of these sides to have been on the fringes of the battle for Europa League places, but the intensity and industry that has put them there was on show during a windswept afternoon.

Burnley welcomed back Jay Rodriguez up front and had the welcome sight of Chris Wood, Robbie Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson all returning to the bench, but there was a major blow as Ben Mee's run of 70 straight Premier League starts was ended by a thigh problem.

And without their captain, Burnley found themselves under the cosh for most of the first half.

James Tarkowski scored Burnley's opener just before half-time - REUTERS
James Tarkowski scored Burnley's opener just before half-time - REUTERS

There was barely a minute on the clock when David McGoldrick's neat flick found the run of Oli McBurnie but the Scot's shot was straight at Nick Pope.

The Blades had the ball in the net moments later but Sander Berge's shot was disallowed due to a foul throw from Jack Robinson, and it might also have been a foul on Pope as well.

At the other end, a neat move between Erik Pieters and Rodriguez released Matej Vydra, but the Czech forward put his shot the wrong side of the post, and United reasserted their control.

Tarkowski had to block Berge's powerful shot from McBurnie's pull-back, and United then wanted a penalty for handball when Pieters got his clearance from a corner all wrong, but it survived a VAR check.

Enda Stevens' shot was deflected behind for a corner before Berge headed over, with the chances piling up for United.

Burnley in contrast could not get anything going with Dwight McNeil struggling to make an impression from the right wing.

The battle for Europe

Phil Bardsley's drive swirled in the wind, batted away by Dean Henderson who was grateful to see the ball evade Rodriguez.

But after all United's pressure, it was Burnley who took the lead three minutes before the break, with Tarkowski poking home after Rodriguez flicked on McNeil's free-kick from deep.

Knocked by the goal, United struggled to respond early in the second half.

Chris Wilder's frustration with Ollie Norwood became apparent before the Burnley-born midfielder was replaced by club captain Billy Sharp 10 minutes after the restart, part of a double change as Jack O'Connell came on for Jack Robinson.

Sharp was straight into the fray, and almost met a deflected cross from O'Connell which deceived Pope as it flew dangerously across goal.

Burnley should have added to their lead in the 76th minute when Rodriguez's powerful strike from distance was only parried by Henderson before McNeil fired wide from the rebound.

And it proved costly as United levelled four minutes later. Sharp was inevitably involved, flicking on Ben Osborn's pass for Egan to rifle home on the volley at the far post.


12:54 PM

Honours even

Some missed Burnley chances, but a result that is probably a fair reflection of the game. Sheffield United stay eighth, while Burnley move above Tottenham into ninth.


12:53 PM

Full time

Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

Nice stat to end on:


12:52 PM

90+3 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

It has suddenly started absolutely sheeting it down with rain. Welcome to Burnley in July.


12:50 PM

90+2 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

Henderson is called into action to keep out a decent long-range crack from Pieters. I'm not sure it was actually going the right side of the post, but Henderson didn't want to take the risk and the corner comes to nothing.


12:48 PM

90 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

United are attempting to apply pressure as the clock ticks down. Four minutes of added time to play.


12:46 PM

88 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

A rash challenge from Long on Mousset gives Sheffield United a good opportunity here with a free-kick right on the edge of the left corner of the Burnley penalty area. Berge tries his luck... but hits it straight at Pope, who holds on easily.


12:45 PM

87 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

Neither side seems to be sitting back and accepting a point here, as Tarkowski intercepts an attempted Sharp throughball to send Mousset clear.


12:43 PM

86 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

Sheffield United changed to a back four after Rodwell came on, but seem to have reverted to a back three since scoring the equaliser, with Rodwell as one of the centre-halves - a position he played for much of his time at Blackburn last season.


12:39 PM

81 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1

Well, that McNeil miss may yet prove very costly.


12:39 PM

GOAL! Burnley 1 Sheffield United 1 (Egan)

A Sheffield United corner is worked across the edge of the penalty area where Osborn dinks a balls into the danger zone. Sharp rises highest for a superb flicked header to Egan who is unmarked at the far post and hammers into the roof of the net past Pope. Great finish.


12:35 PM

77 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

A massive chance wasted for a Burnley second! Rodriguez's long-range strike is parried away by Henderson but only as far as McNeil, who has no one around him as he sets his sights on goal from about 15 yards out. But he scuffs his effort and drags it wide. A really poor shot. A very big opportunity to put this game to bed.


12:34 PM

74 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

A rare Premier League appearance for Jack Rodwell - his first since May 21, 2017 - sees the former Sunderland man replace Basham.


12:30 PM

72 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Here's a chance for United to hit Burnley at the same game that brought about the opening goal, with Osborn standing over a free-kick on the left about 30 yards from goal. But his delivery is easily headed clear.


12:29 PM

71 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Another Sheffield United change means the end of McBurnie's game for Mousset, who comes on just after Rodriguez sends a snap long-range shot on the turn well wide of Henderson's goal.


12:27 PM

69 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

A first Burnley change at the drinks break sees Wood on for Vydra.


12:26 PM

68 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Time for another drinks break.

f - PA

12:24 PM

67 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

United are using the width well now through Baldock and O'Connell/Stevens. Can Burnley hold on for their third successive 1-0 win?


12:21 PM

64 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

A period of sustained United pressure finally comes to an end before Burnley break at pace and threaten to hit them on the counter again, but the final ball is lacking.


12:21 PM

62 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Better - slower - build-up play from Sheffield United causes plenty of problems. The ball is steadily worked from one flank to the next, where O'Connell delivers a very dangerous ball that passes all the way across the six-yard box with defenders and attackers alike failing to get anything on it.


12:17 PM

59 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Burnley are managing to play higher up the pitch now, which means the bulk of play is around the halfway line. Stalemate.


12:15 PM

57 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Not a great deal of action over the last 10 minutes. A few fouls, a few queries directed at the referee - that sort of thing.


12:12 PM

54 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

No hanging around from Chris Wilder, who decides to make two changes early in this half with Norwood and Robinson off for Sharp and O'Connell.


12:07 PM

50 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Plenty of early pressure here from the visitors, as might be expected, and Burnley are largely camped deep in their own half.


12:04 PM

46 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

We are back. No half-time changes for either side. Sheffield United are straight into it with a fiery long-range screamer from McGoldrick taking a much-needed deflection on its way to goal. Baldock keeps the ball alive on the byline though and Burnley are forced to hastily scramble away to safety.


11:49 AM

First half

McBurnie trudges off the pitch shaking his head. He knows his defensive error was to blame for United being a goal down at the break. The visitors were far the better side before the drinks break, but Burnley came out with more intent after and it's a set piece that does the trick. Still all to play for.


11:47 AM

Half-time

Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0


11:45 AM

45 min: Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0

Sheffield United have been the better side, but they now look likely to go in 1-0 down at half-time. Two minutes of added time to play.


11:44 AM

GOAL! Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0 (Tarkowski)

The set piece does it! A Burnley free-kick is lumped into the box from a long way out on the left flank, the ball is flicked on by a Rodriguez header and Tarkowski manages to get infront of McBurnie at the far post, to fling himself forward and stab in from a few yards out. VAR checks to see whether Tarkowski was onside for the flick on... and he was. Just. A defensive lapse from McBurnie proves costly.


11:40 AM

40 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Down the other end go United and Robinson fizzes in a powerful cross for McBurnie to steer just over the bar from the edge of the 18-yard box.


11:39 AM

39 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Burnley's more positive approach is starting to look like it might reap reward. A fine move sees the ball worked from right to left and back to the right again, where Bardsley unleashes a thunderbolt from range, which swirls on its way to be beaten away by Henderson. Work a crack, especially with the wind blowing like it is.


11:36 AM

35 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Another Sheffield United corner, another good delivery from Norwood, and this time it's Egan who cannot keep his header down.


11:34 AM

34 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Back to it from Sheffield United. McGoldrick is creator again with a cracking crossfield ball to Baldock on the right. He then performs a couple of stepovers and cuts the ball back to Norwood, whose cross finds Berge near the penalty spot. But his header loops over the bar.


11:32 AM

32 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

A quiet, if more even, period of play here. Burnley have been more proactive since the drinks break, which is preventing Sheffield United from working their way up the field with ease.


11:30 AM

30 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Neat build-up play from Burnley in the final third of the pitch, but what are they building up to? Nothing, it seems. The move breaks down with a failed half-appeal for a corner.


11:26 AM

26 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

McGoldrick is causing plenty of problems, popping up in pockets and linking well with his strike partner McBurnie.


11:24 AM

23 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Time for a drinks break. "Hot drinks today, maybe some hand-warmers as well," jokes the commentator. Indeed.


11:22 AM

22 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

A period of possession for Burnley, but little danger created and back come Sheffield United, with Stevens trying his luck from range down the left and earning another corner off a deflection. Five corners already for the visitors.


11:21 AM

21 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Vydra after missing that big chance earlier:

f - GETTY IMAGES

11:19 AM

18 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Ooh, that is delightful from Osborn. He plays a nice one-two with McGoldrick down the left and then curls a cracking cross into the box where Pope and Egan both go for it, both miss it, and it continues on its way for a goal kick.


11:17 AM

16 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Burnley look content to sit back and soak up possession. Not sure they have much option though. Another corner for United, who are knocking the ball around beautifully.


11:14 AM

13 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

In fact, replays show Pieters totally missed his attempted clearance and so the ball thudded off his arm. It was pinned against his torso though so not an "unnatural position" = no penalty. Apparently. Who really knows with handball laws right now.


11:12 AM

12 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Back down the other end go Sheffield United, who appeal for handball as Pieters' mistimed clearance seems to flick into his own hand, but the referee waves away their appeals and VAR doesn't get involved. The Burnley defence look in for a tricky afternoon here.


11:10 AM

10 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

Oh what a chance against the run of play for Burnley! A loose pass in the middle allows the hosts to break and they do so with pace, Pieters playing in Vydra. The Burnley frontman really should score with a clear shot at goal from about 15 yards out, but he drags his effort wide of the post. A big, big opportunity missed.


11:07 AM

6 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

It's all Sheffield United so far as wing-back Stevens twice gets high up the left side of the pitch to earn a first corner. The ball is cleared once and Norwood's follow-up cross is too long.


11:03 AM

3 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

That could so easily have been a goal for McBurnie and an early lead for the visitors. Some neat passing in these early stages from Sheffield United.


11:02 AM

1 min: Burnley 0 Sheffield United 0

The visitors, in the their white away kit, get things underway. It is very blustery out there and there's an early chance for McBurnie, who gets on the end of a neat McGoldrick flick to fire towards goal from about 12 yards out. His shot is decently struck, but Pope saves well with his foot. A fine opening that.


10:57 AM

Here come the players

Burnley in their playing kit, Sheffield United in zip-up tops over their playing shirts.


10:51 AM

Blowing a gale

That tie has a life of its own:


10:39 AM

Pre-match reading: Sheffield United

For the away fans, I suggest having a read of this piece by Mike McGrath: How Sheffield United got their mojo back

Here is a snippet:

Without Jack O’Connell, it has taken Wilder’s team time to adapt without the cornerstone of their defence. And in midfield, injuries to John Fleck and John Lundstram has changed the look of an engine room that propelled United towards the European places. 

It took time but two low-key signings from Nottingham Forest have helped them get back on track. Ben Osborn, who arrived last summer, made his first Premier League start against Spurs and helped set up a goal.  Jack Robinson came in January and Wilder rated him as his best performer during the opening matches after the restart.     

“I am not surprised Ozzy,” Wilder said. “He is a great kid, an important member of the group and when an opportunity opened up, he grabbed it with both hands and I am delighted with him to make his Premier League debut in the manner that he did.”


10:30 AM

Pre-match reading: Burnley

Let's start with the hosts today and this piece by James Ducker: Power struggle behind the scenes could lead to the end of Sean Dyche's successful time at Burnley

Here is a snippet:

The origins of the breakdown in his relationship with Garlick can be traced back two years to the summer of 2018. Burnley were gearing up for their first foray into Europe for 51 years after a seventh-placed finish in the league when Dyche had even had a local pub renamed in his honour.

But Dyche saw the dangers, then, of standing still. Burnley are not a club who can afford to buy four or five strong players in one window. They need to rebuild over time.

Indeed, that summer, they were priced out of moves for Craig Dawson, Matt Phillips and Jay Rodriguez and felt the impact domestically of having European football to juggle when, at Christmas, they were in the bottom three with 12 points from 19 games.

You would not have known that judging by the upbeat mood in the camp - a measure of the spirit forged by Dyche - but he was warning then about the risks of not tying down existing players to new contracts, hence his dismay at now seeing midfielder Jeff Hendrick walking away for nothing. It has to be evolution at Burnley, not revolution.


10:24 AM

Stat attack

  • Burnley are unbeaten in their past five Premier League home matches (W3, D2).

  • A Burnley win would see them equal their club record for most wins in a Premier League season (14 in 2017-18).
  • Burnley have used 62 substitutes this season, the fewest in the division - including just four of a possible 15 since the competition restarted in June.
  • Sheffield United have lost successive away games, as many defeats as they suffered in their first 14 on the road in the Premier League this season.
  • Sheffield United registered five shots on target in Thursday's win against Tottenham, compared to just three in total in their previous three top-flight matches.

10:14 AM

Team news

Burnley make two changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace, with captain Ben Mee (thigh) and Jack Cork (ankle) dropping out. Jay Rodriguez and Kevin Long are the men to come in. Sheffield United are fielding the same starting XI that beat Spurs 3-1 last time out.

Burnley: Pope, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Long, Taylor, McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Pieters, Rodriguez, Vydra. Subs: Gudmundsson, Wood, Brady, Peacock-Farrell, Thompson, Dunne, Thomas, Goodridge, Benson.

Sheff Utd: Henderson, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Osborn, Stevens, McBurnie, McGoldrick. Subs: O'Connell, Sharp, Jagielka, Kieron Freeman, Mousset, Moore, Rodwell, Zivkovic.

Referee: Peter Banks


10:03 AM

Runners and riders

Burnley:

 Sheffield United:


09:57 AM

Match preview

At the start of the season (blimey, doesn't that seem a lifetime ago) I wonder what odds you would have got on this match - originally due to be played in mid-April - featuring two sides battling it out for a place in Europe. Here we are and Burnley sit 10th, with Sheffield United eighth.

Admittedly, that European task looks a fair bit tougher for the hosts than it does their opponents today.

Sean Dyche this week admitted his side face a "challenge" due to the threadbare nature of their squad. As well as injury worries, his squad has been hit by the likes of Jeff Hendrick, Joe Hart and Aaron Lennon leaving with their contracts coming to an end, and Dyche once again named only seven substitutes rather than nine for Monday's win at Crystal Palace. There has also been plenty of speculation about his own future as manager.

Yet his side have been beaten just once in their last 10 league games and go into this match off the back of wins against Watford and Crystal Palace. Here's Dyche:

I said the other night at Palace, from a management point of view that is probably one of my best results. Because we are going into that game with all sorts of questions, all sorts going on off the pitch, and yet the team has stayed resolute and focused and delivered a very, very good performance.

I thanked them afterwards for the amount of effort, the pride and determination they put into pushing away the noise. We work on what's inside the camp, not what is outside the camp, and I think the players were really clear-minded on that.

We will have to do it again (on Sunday), but it's fair to say I have been really pleased with how the group have delivered performances, with the noise around the situation.

Sheffield United's return to the top flight has been a success, regardless of these final games of the season. But they could yet cap it off with a Europa League spot and victory here would see them climb back above Arsenal into seventh.

Managed Chris Wilder has refused to speak about such a prospect, but victory over Spurs this week ensured it is still firmly on the cards. Here's defender George Baldock using words to say very little:

We are just thinking about the next game. Two games ago people were touting us for the Champions League and we lose two games and then we're gone.

There is no point talking about Europe. We want to make a good season into an unforgettable one, a few lads have said it but it's true. The best way to do that is take it game by game and see where it goes.

This one kicks off at midday so stay tuned for team news and all the build-up.