Sheffield United brushed aside Burnley, the in-form team of the division, to coast 13 points clear of 3rd placed Watford. Burnley set their stall out with obvious intentions, playing a 4-5-1 system with the Championship?s top goal scorer, Ade Akinbiyi, acting as the lone frontman. Chris Armstrong was the surprise inclusion in the United line-up, making his first start in over two years to leapfrog Michael Tonge to a starting place.
The game began at a ferocious tempo with Danny Webber an unrelenting force against the Burnley defence – he went close within the first 20 minutes, Brian Jensen saving on both occasions. Webber constantly looked to link the play with cute touches to tee up both Alan Quinn and Neil Shipperley but to no avail.
Alan Quinn turned provider on 21 minutes as he played a deft through ball for Webber, down the left channel; however Webber?s shot was fired high and wide from a tight angle. Moments later at the other end, Garreth O?Connor played a pass through to Ade Akinbiyi whose well struck shot was brilliantly tipped round the post by the diving Paddy Kenny.
Micah Hyde?s defensive error showed Neil Shipperley the way to goal as the target-man latched onto Hyde?s back-pass, only to float the ball wide of the left hand post. However, it was too late for dismal Burnley as Shipperley now had the scent of a goal. With 29 minutes on the clock, last week?s derby winner Alan Quinn and Webber combined, with the latter laying the ball up for Shipperley, who turned John McGreal and fired the ball passed the flying arms of Brian Jensen into the back of the Kop net. Bramall Lane was bouncing and United were in the ascendancy.
Burnley threatened a response minutes later as a Garreth O?Connor corner was met by a powerful header from John McGreal, but was brilliantly saved by the athleticism of Paddy Kenny.
United made Burnley rue this chance on the 34th minute, after a half-cleared set-piece, Nick Montgomery delivered a deep cross to the right post for Short to flick forward to the poaching Danny Webber, who nodded home from two-yards out, leaving the perplexed Burnley defence to look in vain for the offside flag.
The half-time whistle came as music to the Burnley?s ears as United had unrelentingly dominated the first half. Danny Webber was a key figure in the half?s flash points, so too was Alan Quinn; a driving force from midfield, and Paddy Kenny made two key saves to confirm United?s dominance at the half.
Burnley opened the second half with a refreshed attacking mind set, as both O?Connor and John Spicer tested the waters with long-shots, however both efforts proved to be tame and were duly smothered by Paddy Kenny. Neil Shipperley?s header flew just wide from an Alan Quinn cross, before Burnley continued to knock on the door; with more long-ranged efforts from O?Connor?s 35-yard free-kick and Graham Branch?s shot from 20-yards out both saved by the safe hands of Kenny.
United fought back forcing Burnley to defend, as Danny Webber failed to capitalise on Sinclair?s error. Jensen then saved well moments later as Webber threatened again after jinxing passed Hyde and McGreal to cut into the box.
United had soaked up all of Burnley?s pressure and really made them pay for it on 81 minutes, as Jagielka teed up Armstrong to deliver a sweet and perfectly aimed cross for Shipperley, who took a composed touch before smashing the ball into the back of the net at the Bramall Lane end.
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