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48 mins: Burnley’s defence are playing the ball among themselves, with their opponents not quite sure when to push up and when to sit back.
46 mins: Leeds players are watching this game at Elland Road after beating Stoke 6-0 earlier. Brownhill tries to tee up Hannibal with a cute through pass, but gets his timing wrong.
We’re back under way. Reminder – a Sheffield United equaliser denies Burnley promotion, but Leeds would still go up. If the Blades win, then nothing is settled tonight.
It’s also been a big day in the race for the playoffs, and battle to avoid League One.
“Will Unwin might not appreciate those press-room curries if it’s finely poised before entering Sir Alex’s infamous squeaky-bum time,” notes Justin Kavanagh.
“I learned about Hannibal crossing the Alps but his exploits reaching the Andes is next-level stuff,” writes Peter Oh.
“It’s chucking it down here as it does quite a lot,” writes Bogotá Rob. “But do I care right now. No.”
Shout outs also to Leeds fans Ezra in Jerusalem, and Kieran in, er, Leeds. Any Burnley supporters out there in the big wide world?
After a very enjoyable half of football, Burnley are heading up and Leeds will join them in the Premier League tonight. But as Grace and the Klaxons said, it’s not over yet.
46 mins: Sheffield United’s players appear to be feeling the frustration – Brereton Diaz is the latest to concede a cheap free kick by buffeting Hannibal to the ground. Burnley can’t make anything of it this time.
45 mins: Robinson is booked for bringing down Hannibal; Burnley are vexed when the referee stops play, with Edwards in a promising position if he’d played the advantage.
That’s the Burnley skipper’s 16th goal of the season – and as it stands, it will send his team up along with Leeds tonight.
Brownhill places the ball – he’s insistent on doing so right at the very edge of the spot, much to United defenders’ chagrin. The referee is happy with it … and he sends Michael Cooper the wrong way. Burnley are back in front!
Josh Brownhill of Burnley scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
42 mins: But now, David Webb does give the spot-kick to Burnley – and there’s no doubt about this one, Ahmedhodzic clumsily kicking Hannibal as he tried to clear it.
40 mins: Fleming goes down in the area under pressure from Ahmedhodzic, and the referee waves play on. It looked like there was contact … although on replays, it’s very hard to tell if there is actually any at all.
39 mins: Soz, Rob in Bogotá. The good news for Leeds is that, as it stands, they’re still going up – it’s Burnley who would have to wait.
Sheffield United won the ball back quickly and Hamer timed his through-ball perfectly, catching the Burnley back four cold. Cannon still had work to do from a narrow angle, but simply blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
Burnley are breached, and the visitors are level – thanks to Tom Cannon’s first goal for Sheffield United!
Sheffield United’s Tom Cannon scores his side’s first goal. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
36 mins: Souza canters upfield but his attempted pass to Moore is diabolically underhit, and Esteve can intercept. But no matter …
“Hi, Leeds fan in Bogotá, this feed is a lifeline,” writes Rob Wood. “Come on Burnley, one will do or just match them. Just don’t think you will hear my roar high up in the Andes.” It’s going to plan so far, Rob.
34 mins: Burnley are packing the box at set pieces, forcing Sheffield United to try from range. The latest effort from Hamer is well-struck and dipping, but too central to cause Trafford any trouble.
33 mins: CJ Egan-Riley misjudges the bounce of the ball but is rescued by fellow centre-back Esteve, who gets across to block Moore’s shot.
31 mins: The scoreline feels a fair reflection of the first half-hour; now Sheffield United have to find a way back. They need to score twice – something nobody has done against Burnley in the league this season.
Edwards picks up the ball on the right and plays a cross into the area. Moore’s attempted clearance rebounds to Cullen, who shoots low at the near post – and as Cooper’s save sends the ball looping into the air, Brownhill is there to smash home on the volley!
And moments later, Josh Brownhill bangs the ball into the net from close range! Is the promotion party starting here … and in Leeds?
Burnley’s Josh Brownhill (right) scores his side’s first goal. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Brownhill (left) celebrates. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
28 mins: Fleming wins the ball with a well-timed tackle, and Hamer brings Brownhill down with a less well-timed tackle. He’s booked, and Burnley play the free kick short …
26 mins: Edwards flashes a shot across goal, but there’s no way through the thicket of white Sheffield United shirts.
Jeremy Boyce also reminds me that Sheffield United began the season with a two-point penalty – which could prove to be very costly depending on how the next few games shake down.
24 mins: Burnley push forward and Brownhill looks for Hannibal, who is shepherded off the ball by Brereton Diaz. He has a few words for his marker, with Sky calling it a “Hannibal lecture”. Come on, that’s not bad.
22 mins: We’re in a stage of the game you might call “both sides feeling each other out”.
Nice Brian Jensen throwback reference, but the Burnley fans are actually calling Maxime Esteve “Steeeeeve”, reports Adam Lancaster.
20 mins: Edwards floats a diagonal ball over to Anthony, who brings it down deftly and tries to take on Choudhury. He thinks he’s won a corner, but the referee signals for a goal kick.
19 mins: A hopeful long ball looks to release Cannon, but Trafford is out to collect it.
Will Unwin is our man at Turf Moor. “Aggressive start, if limited end product. Quite sunny here, and fans all have free flags. Jack Cork is sat in front of me. Nice curries in the press room.”
17 mins: Marcus Edwards prepares to whip it in with his right foot from the left – it’s overhit, and rebounds to Roberts, who also overcooks his attempted cross.
16 mins: Burnley see off the free kick and Hannibal then wins one for the hosts in the opposing half, to ironic cheers from the home crowd.
15 mins: Brownhill lets Hamer know he’s there with a thunking midfield tackle. Just a word from the ref this time – that’s a yellow in the Prem, Josh lad.
13 mins: Esteve again takes care of another attacking threat, drawing cheers of (I think) “beeeeeeast” from the home fans. A reprise of the old Brian Jensen chant?
11 mins: It feels like there are goals in this game, in spite of the big occasion, Burnley’s defensive record and United’s recent slump in scoring form. Feels like I’ve jinxed it now, though.
9 mins: Sydie Peck looks to have picked up a knock while running back. Sheffield United have a free kick, floated upfield to Moore, whose shot is on target but straight at Trafford.
7 mins: Burnley’s best opening so far falls to Zian Flemming, in the right place as Anthony’s shot deflects off Jack Robinson – but unable to turn the ball home from six yards out!
6 mins: The corner is half-cleared and Peck tries a shot from an angle – it’s blocked but rebounds to Harrison Burrows, who sends a decent enough effort spinning over the bar.
5 mins: Burnley get a free-kick but the delivery is overcooked. Sheffield United break and Brereton Diaz gets a fortunate corner as the ball bobbles behind.
“Just asking for curious Americans, of which I am one,” writes Joe Pearson. “Is Easter weekend normally a four day holiday in the UK? In my working life, we only got a half-day on Good Friday. Easter Monday? What’s that?” In short, yes it is – although not necessarily for footballers or MBMers.
3 mins: Sheffield United are playing a 4-4-2, with Cannon alongside Moore in a comedy double-act that never was. Brereton Diaz, who’s playing as a right-sided attacking midfielder, is muscled off the ball by Esteve. The former Blackburn man is not too popular with the home fans at Turf Moor.
2 mins: Anthony gets in behind down the left for Burnley, and he has options to cross – but tries to hold on for too long. Burnley keep the ball, but eventually the offside flag goes up.
1 min: Tom Cannon cuts back for Kieffer Moore, who takes a touch, turns and shoots – straight at James Trafford. Now it’s Burnley’s turn …
Peep! We’re off – and in no time at all, Sheffield United create a decent chance …
“Smug Leeds fan here, I was nervous at 3pm, it all went away after 26 mins,” cheers Jeremy Boyce. “Big one tonight then, a must-win for Wilder’s Blades. This is going to rattle their teeth and nerves. Do they go all out for the win ? Or keep some back for the possible playoffs?”
We all know the team who just miss out on the top two are doomed to fail in the playoffs – even though the statistics probably don’t actually back that up.
More on this afternoon’s action in the Championship and League One…
Both managers are keen to emphasise this is a Game of Football, never mind the bigger picture. “We’ve come here with one ambition, to win a Game of Football,” offers Chris Wilder, looking like he’s just caught the assistant ref eating a Creme Egg.
Scott Parker is slightly more expansive: “We’ve got a Game of Football ahead of us, 90 minutes, which we need to have full focus on. While the rewards are there, it’s irrelevant really. We’ve got to execute, be cool and calm, deliver the commitment, desire and quality we’ve shown all season in a 90-minute Game of Football.”
Job very much done for Daniel Farke’s men, who will seal promotion tonight if Sheffield United fail to win. At the other end, Plymouth’s reward for beating Coventry was watching three of the teams above them – Hull, Luton and Derby – also pull out impressive wins. Cardiff and Oxford drew 1-1, a result that’s no good for either team.
“My thoughts,” offers Phil Grey. “1. If Sheffield United are promoted, their two easiest fixtures next season will probably be home to Burnley and Leeds. This season they lost those two games, 2-0 and 3-1. It feels like life could be really tough for them in the Premier League. Maybe they’d be better off avoiding promotion.
“2. If Burnley are promoted this evening, but are relegated next season, could Scott Parker be Bayern Munich’s next manager?” Hard to disagree on either point.
Chris Wilder starts three traditional strikers – Tom Cannon, Ben Brereton Díaz and Kieffer Moore – in a bid to break down this miserly Burnley defence. That trio come in for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Rhian Brewster and Tyrese Campbell, with Jack Robinson replacing Rob Holding in central defence.
No rotation required for Scott Parker despite Burnley playing on Good Friday – he’s named the same starting XI that won at Watford three days ago.
Burnley (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Lucas Pires; Brownhill, Cullen; Edwards, Mejbri, Anthony; Flemming.
Subs: Hladky, Sonne, Worrall, Sarmiento, Redmond, Laurent, Koleosho, Banel, Barnes.
Sheffield United (4-2-3-1): Cooper; Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; Peck, Vinicius Souza; Brereton Díaz, Hamer, Cannon; Moore.
Subs: Gilchrist, Adam Davies, McCallum, Holding, Brewster, O’Hare, Rak-Sakyi, Campbell, Seriki.
Leeds fans might have expected a nervous afternoon, with victory against not-quite-safe Stoke required at Elland Road. Instead, the hosts went 4-0 up after 26 minutes, and now lead 6-0 – with Joel Piroe scoring four times to end his scoring drought in style. All of which means they are going up today unless Sheffield United win at Turf Moor tonight.
One year and one day ago, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley won 4-1 at Bramall Lane to push their hosts towards the Premier League trapdoor, and move to within three points of Nottingham Forest in the race for survival. A year is a very long time in football.
Burnley eventually joined Sheffield United in heading back to the Championship, triggering a series of events that led Kompany to Bayern Munich and, later on, Thomas Tuchel to the England job. Scott Parker took over at Turf Moor and has transformed Burnley into a defensive powerhouse, conceding just 14 goals in 43 games this season.
As for United, they stuck with Chris Wilder despite a disastrous start to his second stint with the club. Both boards’ decisions looked questionable, but while fellow parachuters Luton tumbled down the second-tier table, Burnley and Sheffield United have been locked in a season-long promotion battle with Leeds (and, for a time, Sunderland).
That was until a recent blip from the Blades, a three-game losing streak that allowed their rivals breathing space. With Leeds 5-0 up at home to Stoke, victory for the hosts tonight will see both Burnley and Leeds secure their Premier League places for next season. There’s still time, though, for Wilder to spoil the party – or at least delay it.
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