Blades soar as they show mettle for top-flight survival

THAT big night a fortnight ago, when Arsenal were pummelled into disarray, was special but its significance would certainly have waned if Sheffield United had not followed it up.

These are the weeks and games so many promoted teams traditionally struggle with. One seismic result, against the odds and a giant, can mean nothing more than a fond memory as they then fail to capitalise against those in direct competition with them.

Chris Wilder has built something a little different here though and four points since the win over the Gunners suggest that result was a springboard. United’s style is refreshing, with a verve on the break, and they are meticulous when picking locks.

Burnley were dismantled ruthlessly. The Blades are up to sixth, a win clear of Manchester United, and their consistency offers genuine survival prospects.

John Lundstram became their first player to score a top-flight brace since Nathan Blake all the way back in 1994. They last scored three goals in a first half in 1993, John Fleck adding the third here.

‘They’re two big results after Arsenal,’ said Wilder, whose side drew at West Ham last time out. ‘Attitude gets drilled into them all the time. They take that on board and go out and produce performances.

‘We will spike this year in terms of results, there are some tough days to come, but I don’t want to see our attitude or performances spike. Make sure that attitude is consistent. I’m delighted with every aspect of the performance.’

Burnley never settled, never clamped a grip on midfield, were outnumbered and outrun. Wilder’s men were too shrewd in possession and that took Sean Dyche’s team by surprise. Recent history, the way in which games are played here at Bramall Lane, suggests they ought not to have been. ‘First half was unacceptable, simple as that,’ Dyche said. ‘I could’ve changed anyone in the back four at half-time. We were knocking it forward without thought. We’ve got to grow with being favourites. I told the players they can’t lose their edge. We were miles off it.’ Off it and out of it by the 44th minute, Dyche’s assistant Ian Woan pointing an accusing finger towards kamikaze defenders as United went three up. The gesture was resigned; this was about damage limitation from then on. James Tarkowski and Matthew Lowton attempted to pass their way out of trouble, only for Lys Mousset to turn them over. Burnley were all over the place, unable to track Fleck’s run. Mousset found him, Fleck raced clear and left Nick Pope rooted as the ball rolled into his far corner. United had doubled their lead only seconds earlier. Lowton was outmanoeuvred at right back, allowing Enda Stevens to gallop down the line. The cross Stevens produced zipped along the ground, Mousset flicked on and Lundstram was at the back post, waiting alone, to slam in his second.

Lundstram’s first, after 17 minutes, was the product of what is becoming something of trademark, that perfectly timed run from deep. Stevens had taken Lowton out of the game with one straight ball down the line, and both Ben Mee and Erik Pieters were sucked into following Mousset at the near post. The ball broke to Lundstram and he stroked it past Pope. ‘He’s a natural finisher,’ Wilder said.

In the midst of all that, Burnley thought they should have had a penalty when a Dwight McNeil cross hit Jack O’Connell’s arm but VAR ruled the defender had not made himself unnaturally bigger. Dyche also complained of an O’Connell trip on Jay Rodriguez earlier on.

‘Jay gets clipped,’ Dyche added. ‘We’ve seen them given but we don’t get many of them. He doesn’t dive, falls naturally, and doesn’t get it. I think it’s also a handball.’

But the Burnley boss acknowledged his team were ‘miles off’ getting out of jail.

United perhaps should have extended their advantage. Lundstram skewed a presentable chance to seal a dream hat-trick, while David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp also went close. Tarkowski produced a huge block to deny Stevens.

Burnley rallied to a degree, Ashley Barnes ballooning over the bar but anything more than nil would have flattered them.