STRAM RAIDER ‘Journeyman’ John strikes twice to sink Clarets

ANY more days like this and John Lundstram could lose his reputation as the Premier League’s ultimate journeyman.

No- one quite epitomises Sheffield United’s upstarts more than the unsung 25- year-old who had six loan spells at five different clubs during a frustrating spell at Everton.

But Lundstram is writing a very different script these days, becoming the first Blades’ player in 25 years to score twice in a top-flight game.

And he would have scored a hat-trick, only for Nick Pope to block his 70th-minute volley, before firing agonisingly wide in the dying moments.

Lundstram’s double before the break and another by John Fleck meant the Blades had scored as many in 45 minutes as they had in their previous five games at Bramall Lane this term. And for the first time since 1993 they struck three times in the opening period.

Sheffield United are up to sixth, not that Chris Wilder is getting carried away.

“I haven’t looked at the league table and won’t do so until the death,” said the Blades boss.

“It’s all about accumulation of points. But what I’m delighted about is we’ve kept our good run going and are showing the right attitude ude and consistency in performance.” mance.”

Sean Dyche’s che’s old school 4-4-2 system has served d Burnley y quite well l in recent t years, but ut not here, with the home e wing- backs wreaking havoc down the channels.

Burnley’s ’s right flank was sliced d open for Lundstram’s am’s two goals, both h wonderfully crafted fted and clinically finished.

Enda Stevens’ superb pass sent David Mcgoldrick scurrying down the left, and when Lys Mousset took two defenders with him at the near post before flicking the ball into the path of Lundstram the midfielder found the net with a crisp drive.

His 44th-minute effort was similarly fashioned. Stevens took a return pass from Mcgoldrick before send sending in a low cross.

Mo Mousset touche touched on to Lund L u n d s t r a m, who h had timed his ru run to perfec fection to ste steer home at the far p post.

Seconds la later the g game was u up for the Cla Clarets, as Mousset threaded a pass through th to Fleck, w who converted with wit a firsttime effort. Ashley Barnes should have reduced the deficit seven minutes after the restart only to hook over the bar.

But it was still the hosts calling the tune with Stevens having a goalbound shot blocked by Matt Lowton.

And Pope was at full stretch to keep out a Mcgoldrick header, before denying sub Billy Sharp with his legs.

This was Burnley’s 100th Premier League defeat and unquestionably one of their tamest.

“That’s as poor a showing as early last season,” “said Dyche. “They started better than us, and we made mistakes which they capitalised on.”