This is probably the easiest match report I have ever had to write. Not just because it was a routine victory, but because due to the vagaries of ITV the game was scheduled for Sunday afternoon viewing on Granada and Yorkshire (or should that be Yawksha, Patrick?). That meant that, after watching the game 'live', I could go back to my parents’, watch a video of the game and check everything that happened. I even have the copy of the video now if I need to review it again, but for someone who never takes any notes that would just be going too far.
I drove northwards early on Saturday evening, so after a bonfire and fireworks that night it was a leisurely start the following morning. Usual pie and peas at the Sparrow (cue unashamed plug) - still excellent value and the best pre-match food in Burnley. A couple of pints of porter and then unusually early arrival at the Turf, where a cold wind was blowing into our faces as we took our seats in the Jimmy McIlroy stand to greet the players as they came out, led surprisingly by Paul Cook. Where was the Legend? No sign of him on the bench either, and against the normally physical tactics of a Neil Warnock side he could be sorely missed, as could Kevin Ball, who was suspended.
This could turn into a real struggle as we lined up: NTG; West, Cox, Gnohere, Briscoe at the back; Little, Weller, Grant and Cook; Taylor and Moore up front. Bench was warmed by Cennamo, Papa, Payton, Maylett and Johnrose. No Asaba for the oppo and Littlejohn restricted to the bench, so perhaps the two goal start (because they both always score against us) was not so certain now. They did have previous target Ndlovu on the right and the dangerous Sufo up front, despite Warnock moaning at length about their injury problems. Fortunately they had also included the laughable D'Jaffo in 'attack', although that is in the loosest sense of the word, as I don't believe he contributed anything of use before being replaced by Littlejohn in the second half.
There was a minute’s silence in memory of Sam's son, Tim Ellis, which was impeccably observed. I do feel we are getting too many matches delayed by these occurrences, but in this case I feel that the players and management staff would want it that way as Sam is someone they know well, and so it was only fitting. It's when it is for a football administrator, famous player or manager unconnected with either club that it starts to get out of hand. If it happens every week it loses its significance when it is truly warranted.
After Paul Cook pointed out to referee and ex-professional player Steve Baines who should be kicking off, the Clarets got the game underway, kicking towards the Cricket Field stand, into the strong breeze. United went straight into their harrying and pressing tactics, trying to put the Clarets under pressure at every opportunity. The Clarets did their best to hold onto possession, but Taylor and Moore were struggling to retain the ball, and as usual Taylor was being called for backing more than he was receiving free kicks for being pushed or held. Cox and Gnohere were struggling to win the headers and Ndlovu was making menacing runs at Briscoe as he backed off, but despite a few threatening moments there was no end product, except where Nik made one comfortable save diving to his right, and a header after a right wing cross.
As the half wore on Burnley began to assert their passing game with Little, West and Weller linking well down the right and producing a few good crosses, but Tracey in the United goal was not called into action. Moore was twice caught by defenders as he turned sharply, but the referee decided to take no further action; when Cox did exactly the same thing on Sufo he was immediately yellow carded. When I saw the incident on video later it was barely a touch: definitely a foul but no more. Mr Baines' overall control of the game was very good but his choice of when to use his card, and more precisely when not, was very poor, as we shall see later.
The Clarets were now well on top and all we needed was a goal. Weller chose to try play Little in when the Sheffield defence had opened up in front of him on the edge of the box. Little was blocked in a tangle of arms and legs that looked clumsy and could easily have been given as an indirect free kick for obstruction, but the referee saw nothing in it despite the howls of protest from the stands. Weller also chose not to shoot after a mis-kick from Tracey came to him about forty yards from goal. It would have been a difficult shot but some felt he should have taken it on. A free kick on the right wing was rolled square to West in the middle, who seemed a bit unprepared, and his scooped shot looked to have no power, but it somehow looped onto the crossbar with Tracey scrambling.
A rare attack from the visitors was broken up on the edge of the Clarets box and West played the ball to Little, who was now starting to cause all sorts of problems by roaming all over the pitch. Little advanced into the United half and rolled the ball to his left, perfectly into the path of Paul Cook, who struck a first time cross with pace and accuracy into the box. Page missed the ball in a desperate attempt to clear and ex-Blade Taylor pounced with a beautiful diving header that left Tracey rooted to the spot as it rocketed into the corner. 1-0 to the Clarets and well deserved, if a little overdue.
Within a minute, the good work was almost undone as former Man City spoiler Brown intercepted a bad pass from Weller and, after showing some excellent footwork, lashed a left foot shot against the base of the post from the edge of the area with Nik well beaten. Fortunately the ball missed Nik on the rebound and came awkwardly to Sufo, whose cross was easily cleared.
We had hardly breathed a sigh of relief when Paul Cook received the ball in the inside-left channel and advanced to about 25 yards from goal. Who know where his shot was heading before it struck the Blades’ fullback? After it struck him it was only ever looping over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net. 2-0. After three deflections against us in the last two games (Taylor, Cook and Ipoua) it was nice to get one go for us.
It was very nearly three, when a cross from the right missed everyone at the near post and hit Michael Brown inside the six-yard box. Only a fine double save from Tracey prevented the first effort and then Taylor following up. Burnley were now rampant, and Little was controlling the show as the Blades had to idea how to contain him. They did go close to scoring themselves when Murphy headed against the bar, but a foul had already been given for pushing. He was then unluckily booked for dangerous kicking as Taylor seemed to stoop to head the ball. Briscoe was also deservedly booked for a crude challenge on Ndlovu.
Warnock must have been pleased to hear the half time whistle to give him a chance to rally his dispirited troops, who were playing as if they didn't think they had a chance. Cox and Gnohere were forging an excellent partnership, and Arthur looks to have a very cool head on his shoulders, as he played himself nicely out of trouble on more than one occasion. West was continuing the excellent form shown on his return at Wolves and Gillingham, and since his goal Taylor was beginning to win more than his fair share of headers. Grant was having a quiet game and looked to be limping badly as he left the pitch. Cook was his usual assured self, helping Briscoe with Ndlovu at every available opportunity. Weller looked far more comfortable in the middle and Moore was causing problems with his pace. All in all, a good first half, and a thoroughly deserved lead.
The second half was far more subdued as the Clarets had obviously been primed that a clean sheet was the prime objective. The only scare came with ten minutes to go, when Sufo should have done better with a free header from only six yards out as the Clarets once again showed a vulnerability to set pieces. Before that we got to witness the Glen Little masterclass, as he performed every trick in his repertoire, popping up all over the pitch. One run into the left-hand side of the box led to a cross being deflected towards his own goal by a Blades defender, which hit the inside of Tracey's leg and somehow missed the far post - and Ian Cox, who was unmarked at the post. At first I couldn't believe that he had missed it, but seeing it again, it did go a bit too quickly and too far in front of him.
A couple of close offside decisions against the Clarets, a good block from a Little shot, and the game began to drift towards its conclusion. It should have been more comfortable, as Moore was blatantly tripped by Murphy, but referee Baines inexplicably failed to give a very obvious second yellow card. Johnrose replaced Cook, who rightly for once received a good ovation. United made some substitutions, bringing Littlejohn on and switching Ndlovu to the right, where West did a much better job than Briscoe. Lennie made some good tackles and looked very strong, shoring things up for the last ten or fifteen minutes. Papa made a brief appearance and slid into Curle on the touchline. Curle reacted angrily and grabbed him by the throat. This led to a furious reaction from Stan, and to be honest Curle could have been in serious trouble, but again the referee kept his cards in his pocket.
The final action of the match allowed Little to leave the pitch to a deserved standing ovation, as Maylett pretty much ran onto the pitch and off again without getting a touch. Didn't see Stan shaking Warnock's hand at the end, but is that really a surprise?
A sound performance then, a comfortable win, and only twenty points to safety. Little was named by the sponsors as Man of the Match and I would have to agree, although West, Gnohere and Weller were also excellent. One final point: where were the Sheffield United fans? For the short trip my guess is that they brought 400 at most. Perhaps they are unhappy at having a number of good players but a manager who doesn't seem to know how to get the best out of them? That, and a total inability to score. Or perhaps they stayed at home and watched the telly.
Blades cut Little mustard