Five-star show eases pressure on Kompany
But Heckingbottom on brink as Blades collapse
FROM THE moment Jay Rodriguez scored the Premier League’s quickest goal of the season, after 15 seconds, a supposedly tense relegation six-pointer turned into a one-sided romp.
It was hard to fathom how Burnley had lost their first seven at Turf Moor, such was their domination — justly rewarded by further goals by Jacob Bruun Larsen, Zeki Amdouni, Luca Koleosho and skipper Josh Brownhill
But Sheffield United were utterly wretched even before striker Oli McBurnie was sent off for two stupid elbows when the score was
It’s sacking season but Kompany should not be the first to go
2-0. United have replaced Burnley at the bottom of the table.
Blades boss, Paul Heckingbottom, is in grave danger of being the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season. Travelling fans barracked the players and manager, leaving the beleaguered boss to say: ‘You can’t kid people and it was massively disappointing. The fans are nearly as angry as me. I was almost singing with them.’
It was not long ago that pressure was mounting on the Burnley manager, Vincent Kompany. ‘It feels so good. We were so desperate to do it,’ Kompany said.
‘There was real anger and frustration from my players about losing last week and they were raring to go.
‘This team always has fight and we wanted to get forward and win that first ball of the game.’
If Burnley needed a quick start, boy did they get it. No Blades player had taken a meaningful touch before Rodriguez stooped to head in Charlie Taylor’s cross.
The goal was officially timed at 15.80 seconds, making it the 15th quickest goal in Premier League history and the fastest since Philip Billing scored for Bournemouth v Arsenal in March.
The 34-year-old Rodriguez had also scored the opener the previous weekend, before Burnley capitulated late on against West Ham. So Kompany knew his side needed a second to settle nerves.
It duly arrived after half-an-hour. Dara O’Shea pinged a 50-yard pass to Larsen, who took an exquisite first touch to run clear of Luke Thomas and a second to finish low past Wes Foderingham. United seemed to lose their heads completely as a result. John Fleck was booked for clattering into Brownhill and McBurnie was lucky to only to get a yellow for jabbing O’Shea in the face with his elbow as they challenged in the air.
O’Shea took revenge with a late tackle of his own, but McBurnie then cost his team dearly when the ball next went in the air — again using his arms for leverage and hitting O’Shea on the cheek.
Though not as bad as his first misdemeanour, there was little sympathy for the Blades striker, who nonetheless protested before taking the walk of shame towards the tunnel. ‘He let me down,’ said Heckingbottom, damningly. United’s manager made three changes at half-time as a desperate roll of the dice, but things went from bad to worse as Burnley hit three in seven minutes.
Amdouni showed quick feet to get away from Jack Robinson and fire into the corner after 73 minutes. He then turned provider for Koleosho to score a fourth. United were utterly beaten and bedgraggled and it was no surprise when Brownhill was allowed to add the coup de gras to confirm Burnley’s largest Premier League win.
Though still in the bottom three, Burnley’s victory coupled with defeat for Luton means Kompany’s side are now only two points from safety. ‘Having five different scorers should help confidence. I’ll have a glass of wine and then on to Wolves on Tuesday,’ a delighted Kompany said.
For Sheffield, things do not get any easier. Next up on Wednesday is Liverpool. Who will be in the dug-out remains to be seen, though Heckingbottom said: ‘I can walk with my head held high.’