Deadbat
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Pod links and report below
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The Blades made it three wins from three and are right back in touch at the top of the league as they blew away the leaders Burnley in the lunchtime Sky game at the Lane. United somehow trailed at the half despite more than matching the high-flying Clarets but Ndiaye’s goal was checked by two goals from the visitors who profited from some calamitous defending from United’s left-hand side with Jack Robinson and Enda Stevens having absolute nightmare performances. After the break it was a different story as United dominated the game and it was one way traffic as in general play and in particular set pieces, the Blades threatened almost with every attack. Goals from McBurnie (x2), Robinson and Ahmedhodzic saw United win at a canter and send a real statement with the margin of victory and performance.
Heckingbottom made two changes with Stevens, Ahmedhodzic and McBurnie in for Sharp, Basham and Khadra. Osborn was to operate in midfield. Doyle was still not fit but Basham was able to at least take his place on the bench joined by youngsters Arblaster and Brooks. Burnley on the back of two stoppage time winners would have been in confident mood after a long unbeaten run of 17 games without a defeat. They were without the suspended Brownhill and the injured Rodriguez. Tella playing a lone striker role supported by Zaroury and Manuel Benson. Burnley still had plenty of experience and quality in their starters and in reserve.
The game started in treacherous conditions as the rain lashed down onto the pitch that still had the feint lines showing from last Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup on the surface. Benson showed quick feet early to get away from Stevens in a sign of things to come from the tricky winger. United were moving it around nicely with Norwood at the heart of everything and won an early corner and long throw that saw Muric struggle with the high ball. McBurnie was winning his battles and the Blades had started the better side but Benson curled an effort wide on the break. Maatsen conceded a free kick which was swung in from Norwood and McBurnie flicked an effort that Muric and a defender somehow scrambled behind for another corner.
McBurnie had another effort over as Robinson’s throws continued to cause problems for Burnley, who used to deal with situations well but had a relatively small side and with the big keeper struggling to command, United looked a real threat from such situations. Burnley the other way were getting the ball to Benson at every opportunity. One such break saw Vitinho have a shot blocked for a corner after Robinson headed away when a fellow defender was better places to clear. From the delivery it was not cleared properly again by Robinson who compounded his double error by trying to block the MANUEL shot and only diverted it into the net past Fotheringham. It was a cruel blow after United had been the better side but was an avoidable goal from the home side.
United won a corner in response and the McBurnie had a header blocked after Fleck’s cross. Norwood was still looking to find gaps and Osborn was busy but it was the strong hold up from McBurnie that was the main threat for the Blades. Burnley nearly got a second as a corner saw Harwood Bellis with a clear header that he headed over with the marking non-existent. Manuel then cut in and shot over as Stevens struggles continued, as evidenced soon after when he was cautioned for bringing down the dangerous winger.
United were well in the game and Norwood’s clever passing saw both Osborn and Baldock get in dangerous areas before McBurnie had another effort blocked. United won a corner when the ball ricocheted off Baldock and a defender and the away side felt that it came off the United man but with the assistant unsighted and the referee some way from the action, the award went to the home side. From the delivery, McBurnie met it with a superb header back across and Ndiaye managed to contort his body to turn it home back across the keeper. The in-form striker celebrated his 9th goal of the season as United were deservedly back on level terms.
Burnley were still looking a huge threat down the right-hand side and Manuel’s trickery saw Zaroury in and his shot had to be saved from Fotheringham. Soon after Burnley almost regained the lead as the ball was not cleared and Maatsen hit a powerful shot that clipped the top of the bar and went over. United had played well but were showing real defiencies defensively and the left side continued to be an issue with Manuel destroying Stevens every time he got the ball. United were causing problems the other way and Egan had a header off target before some lovely football down the right saw Baldock’s cross come over and Stevens fired a cross shot that McBurnie flicked goalward but the ball was blocked on the line. The ball was scrambled clear and United rued the chance to lead and this was felt even more when the Blades went behind after more dreadful defending. Whilst Stevens had really struggled in a game that was touch to watch the great servant have such a torrid time, Robinson’s mistakes had showed up even more and this was the case even more so when he made a total rick just before half time.
The ball came to the experienced left sided defender and he slipped but then recovered but foolishly tried to come inside his man and MANUEL robbed him and was in on goal. The finish was delivered with ease as he curled it into the far corner and the league leaders led again. Robinson looked to both the skies and the floor in an extremely difficult afternoon for the defender. His part in both goals was crucial to the lead Burnley took into the break. It had been an excellent game so far with both teams dangerous in attack in an open contest and United would have felt unjust to be behind but defensive mistakes once again were their undoing. The Blades have now conceded 7 goals in the last three games at home and simply need to cut out such basic mistakes.
The home side did not make any changes but came out in determined mood. A cross from Robinson saw Ahmedhodzic head wide and United seemed determined to put Burnley under pressure. It was high intensity stuff and balls were coming forward and into the box at a rapid rate. It was not long before they were level. Another centre came in from the left-hand side and Ahmedhodzic headed across where MCBURNIE was waiting to beat the offside trap and sprang to dive and head home. It was a well-made and finished goal and United were back in it.
The Kop were now expectant and United were in the mood. Norwood was controlling midfield and Baldock and Ahmedhodzic were well forward and the visitors were struggling to hold the Blades back. McBurnie and Ndiaye’s link up was excellent and Cullen had to resort to foul play and was booked before a cross was pushed over by the shaky Muric on goal. The corner came in and McBurnie’s header was pushed behind as the pressure ramped up. McBurnie won another header before Ndiaye’s flicked finish was ruled offside; rightly so. Ahmedhodzic tried a spectacular overhead kick that was not far wide soon after this. It was all United at this point and Manuel’s service had been nullified as Burnley could not force any kind of play the other way and were struggling to stay in the game. Ndiaye was starting to really come to the fore and some superb hold up and running nearly led to a chance.
Gudmundsson came on for Bastien but it did not change the flow of the game. United won three corners in a row and Burnley could not get out as the balls kept coming in and Muric and his defence could not properly clear the ball. From the third delivery on 64 minutes, Fleck’s dangerous outswinger was powered by Ahmedhodzic onto the bar and Egan and Stevens tried to force the rebound home before ROBINSON somehow looped it into the far corner. It was a remarkable turnaround for the villain of the piece first half as he ran to the corner of the Kop/South Stand to dive in jubilation surrounded by his teammates. After such a difficult half, huge credit to the defender for contributing such a big moment in the game in United’s favour.
Burnley were not able to respond at all although they had one break where Osborn made a timely break before United kept coming. Ndiaye was showing the strength and body control and came out of a tight spot and came into the centre of the area and fed McBurnie who had a fantastic chance to score but his effort was too close to Muric who made the save from point blank range. From the corner, Burnley could not cope with the physical threat and Ahmedhodzic won it and superbly headed goalward but Muric who had been having a difficult afternoon, sprang up and made the flicked save. The corner came in and McBurnie met the latest pin point delivery and Muric made another save, although this was more routine but still had to push behind.
The pressure told then and the fourth goal came from the next set play. The ball came in and was not cleared again and after Osborn’s shot was blocked, the ball dropped to AHMEDHODZIC who beat the offside trap and used a clever Cryuff turn to put him facing the goal and smashed in a superb finish. The defender has shown his eye for a goal and powerful shooting this season and now has four goals for the season. Basham came on for Stevens as Osborn went to left wing back and United now had complete control of the game in a remarkable turnaround and they scored their fifth goal, and fourth in 24 minutes.
This was all about Norwood’s exquisite passing and vision as the ball round the back of the full back Maatsen saw Baldock ghost in and beat the offside trap (it was a marginal call) and he was in on goal. Muric made the block from close range but MCBURNIE was on hand to easily convert the rebound to spark more wild scenes around Bramall Lane. United were simply battering the league leaders who could not stop the rampant home side.
Ndiaye opened up his can of party tricks with some lovely footwork down the left and then the right leading to a foul from Tella and after the two players squared up as Ndiaye saw the funny side of his opponents’ frustrations. Tella and McBurnie were both booked for the pushing and shoving that ensued. Tella, Zaroury and Manuel came off for Dervisoglu, Taylor and Barnes as it seemed Kompany maybe had thrown up the white flag with just over 10 minutes to play.
Cork was booked as Norwood continued to run the show in the middle of the field and Ndiaye continued to show his wonderful range of skills complimented by the intelligent centre forward play of his partner, McBurnie who got q standing ovation when Sharp replaced him on 82 minutes.
It had been a dominating second half from United and Norwood and Ndiaye had efforts blocked before Burnley finally had an effort on goal in the second half as Harwood Bellis header was pushed away by Foderingham and Fleck cleared high into the upper tier to make sure Burnley could not convert the rebound.
Vitinho and Cullen then had efforts blocked but it all seemed quite academic at this stage. Arblaster and Brooks replaced Baldock and Fleck but United were almost in exhibition mode at this stage. Ndiaye continued to weave his magic and the two youngsters got in on the action in the final minutes of stoppage time but the extra 6 minutes were mostly played out in Burnley’s half with Basham and Ahmehodzic continuing to be well forward and the Blades fans asking for a 6th goal. It did not come but it mattered little as the side were given a standing ovation as they saluted four side of the Lane after a superb victory.
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The Blades made it three wins from three and are right back in touch at the top of the league as they blew away the leaders Burnley in the lunchtime Sky game at the Lane. United somehow trailed at the half despite more than matching the high-flying Clarets but Ndiaye’s goal was checked by two goals from the visitors who profited from some calamitous defending from United’s left-hand side with Jack Robinson and Enda Stevens having absolute nightmare performances. After the break it was a different story as United dominated the game and it was one way traffic as in general play and in particular set pieces, the Blades threatened almost with every attack. Goals from McBurnie (x2), Robinson and Ahmedhodzic saw United win at a canter and send a real statement with the margin of victory and performance.
Heckingbottom made two changes with Stevens, Ahmedhodzic and McBurnie in for Sharp, Basham and Khadra. Osborn was to operate in midfield. Doyle was still not fit but Basham was able to at least take his place on the bench joined by youngsters Arblaster and Brooks. Burnley on the back of two stoppage time winners would have been in confident mood after a long unbeaten run of 17 games without a defeat. They were without the suspended Brownhill and the injured Rodriguez. Tella playing a lone striker role supported by Zaroury and Manuel Benson. Burnley still had plenty of experience and quality in their starters and in reserve.
The game started in treacherous conditions as the rain lashed down onto the pitch that still had the feint lines showing from last Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup on the surface. Benson showed quick feet early to get away from Stevens in a sign of things to come from the tricky winger. United were moving it around nicely with Norwood at the heart of everything and won an early corner and long throw that saw Muric struggle with the high ball. McBurnie was winning his battles and the Blades had started the better side but Benson curled an effort wide on the break. Maatsen conceded a free kick which was swung in from Norwood and McBurnie flicked an effort that Muric and a defender somehow scrambled behind for another corner.
McBurnie had another effort over as Robinson’s throws continued to cause problems for Burnley, who used to deal with situations well but had a relatively small side and with the big keeper struggling to command, United looked a real threat from such situations. Burnley the other way were getting the ball to Benson at every opportunity. One such break saw Vitinho have a shot blocked for a corner after Robinson headed away when a fellow defender was better places to clear. From the delivery it was not cleared properly again by Robinson who compounded his double error by trying to block the MANUEL shot and only diverted it into the net past Fotheringham. It was a cruel blow after United had been the better side but was an avoidable goal from the home side.
United won a corner in response and the McBurnie had a header blocked after Fleck’s cross. Norwood was still looking to find gaps and Osborn was busy but it was the strong hold up from McBurnie that was the main threat for the Blades. Burnley nearly got a second as a corner saw Harwood Bellis with a clear header that he headed over with the marking non-existent. Manuel then cut in and shot over as Stevens struggles continued, as evidenced soon after when he was cautioned for bringing down the dangerous winger.
United were well in the game and Norwood’s clever passing saw both Osborn and Baldock get in dangerous areas before McBurnie had another effort blocked. United won a corner when the ball ricocheted off Baldock and a defender and the away side felt that it came off the United man but with the assistant unsighted and the referee some way from the action, the award went to the home side. From the delivery, McBurnie met it with a superb header back across and Ndiaye managed to contort his body to turn it home back across the keeper. The in-form striker celebrated his 9th goal of the season as United were deservedly back on level terms.
Burnley were still looking a huge threat down the right-hand side and Manuel’s trickery saw Zaroury in and his shot had to be saved from Fotheringham. Soon after Burnley almost regained the lead as the ball was not cleared and Maatsen hit a powerful shot that clipped the top of the bar and went over. United had played well but were showing real defiencies defensively and the left side continued to be an issue with Manuel destroying Stevens every time he got the ball. United were causing problems the other way and Egan had a header off target before some lovely football down the right saw Baldock’s cross come over and Stevens fired a cross shot that McBurnie flicked goalward but the ball was blocked on the line. The ball was scrambled clear and United rued the chance to lead and this was felt even more when the Blades went behind after more dreadful defending. Whilst Stevens had really struggled in a game that was touch to watch the great servant have such a torrid time, Robinson’s mistakes had showed up even more and this was the case even more so when he made a total rick just before half time.
The ball came to the experienced left sided defender and he slipped but then recovered but foolishly tried to come inside his man and MANUEL robbed him and was in on goal. The finish was delivered with ease as he curled it into the far corner and the league leaders led again. Robinson looked to both the skies and the floor in an extremely difficult afternoon for the defender. His part in both goals was crucial to the lead Burnley took into the break. It had been an excellent game so far with both teams dangerous in attack in an open contest and United would have felt unjust to be behind but defensive mistakes once again were their undoing. The Blades have now conceded 7 goals in the last three games at home and simply need to cut out such basic mistakes.
The home side did not make any changes but came out in determined mood. A cross from Robinson saw Ahmedhodzic head wide and United seemed determined to put Burnley under pressure. It was high intensity stuff and balls were coming forward and into the box at a rapid rate. It was not long before they were level. Another centre came in from the left-hand side and Ahmedhodzic headed across where MCBURNIE was waiting to beat the offside trap and sprang to dive and head home. It was a well-made and finished goal and United were back in it.
The Kop were now expectant and United were in the mood. Norwood was controlling midfield and Baldock and Ahmedhodzic were well forward and the visitors were struggling to hold the Blades back. McBurnie and Ndiaye’s link up was excellent and Cullen had to resort to foul play and was booked before a cross was pushed over by the shaky Muric on goal. The corner came in and McBurnie’s header was pushed behind as the pressure ramped up. McBurnie won another header before Ndiaye’s flicked finish was ruled offside; rightly so. Ahmedhodzic tried a spectacular overhead kick that was not far wide soon after this. It was all United at this point and Manuel’s service had been nullified as Burnley could not force any kind of play the other way and were struggling to stay in the game. Ndiaye was starting to really come to the fore and some superb hold up and running nearly led to a chance.
Gudmundsson came on for Bastien but it did not change the flow of the game. United won three corners in a row and Burnley could not get out as the balls kept coming in and Muric and his defence could not properly clear the ball. From the third delivery on 64 minutes, Fleck’s dangerous outswinger was powered by Ahmedhodzic onto the bar and Egan and Stevens tried to force the rebound home before ROBINSON somehow looped it into the far corner. It was a remarkable turnaround for the villain of the piece first half as he ran to the corner of the Kop/South Stand to dive in jubilation surrounded by his teammates. After such a difficult half, huge credit to the defender for contributing such a big moment in the game in United’s favour.
Burnley were not able to respond at all although they had one break where Osborn made a timely break before United kept coming. Ndiaye was showing the strength and body control and came out of a tight spot and came into the centre of the area and fed McBurnie who had a fantastic chance to score but his effort was too close to Muric who made the save from point blank range. From the corner, Burnley could not cope with the physical threat and Ahmedhodzic won it and superbly headed goalward but Muric who had been having a difficult afternoon, sprang up and made the flicked save. The corner came in and McBurnie met the latest pin point delivery and Muric made another save, although this was more routine but still had to push behind.
The pressure told then and the fourth goal came from the next set play. The ball came in and was not cleared again and after Osborn’s shot was blocked, the ball dropped to AHMEDHODZIC who beat the offside trap and used a clever Cryuff turn to put him facing the goal and smashed in a superb finish. The defender has shown his eye for a goal and powerful shooting this season and now has four goals for the season. Basham came on for Stevens as Osborn went to left wing back and United now had complete control of the game in a remarkable turnaround and they scored their fifth goal, and fourth in 24 minutes.
This was all about Norwood’s exquisite passing and vision as the ball round the back of the full back Maatsen saw Baldock ghost in and beat the offside trap (it was a marginal call) and he was in on goal. Muric made the block from close range but MCBURNIE was on hand to easily convert the rebound to spark more wild scenes around Bramall Lane. United were simply battering the league leaders who could not stop the rampant home side.
Ndiaye opened up his can of party tricks with some lovely footwork down the left and then the right leading to a foul from Tella and after the two players squared up as Ndiaye saw the funny side of his opponents’ frustrations. Tella and McBurnie were both booked for the pushing and shoving that ensued. Tella, Zaroury and Manuel came off for Dervisoglu, Taylor and Barnes as it seemed Kompany maybe had thrown up the white flag with just over 10 minutes to play.
Cork was booked as Norwood continued to run the show in the middle of the field and Ndiaye continued to show his wonderful range of skills complimented by the intelligent centre forward play of his partner, McBurnie who got q standing ovation when Sharp replaced him on 82 minutes.
It had been a dominating second half from United and Norwood and Ndiaye had efforts blocked before Burnley finally had an effort on goal in the second half as Harwood Bellis header was pushed away by Foderingham and Fleck cleared high into the upper tier to make sure Burnley could not convert the rebound.
Vitinho and Cullen then had efforts blocked but it all seemed quite academic at this stage. Arblaster and Brooks replaced Baldock and Fleck but United were almost in exhibition mode at this stage. Ndiaye continued to weave his magic and the two youngsters got in on the action in the final minutes of stoppage time but the extra 6 minutes were mostly played out in Burnley’s half with Basham and Ahmehodzic continuing to be well forward and the Blades fans asking for a 6th goal. It did not come but it mattered little as the side were given a standing ovation as they saluted four side of the Lane after a superb victory.
). Everyone around us agreed it should have been a corner. It will require clear video evidence to convince me otherwise.
. Secondly the appearance of young Brooks. A 6 foot muscular left footed midfield player, its what we've been dreaming of. Really hope this lad takes off with us.
