Championship leaders Burnley celebrated their return to the Premier League with victory over second-placed Sheffield United who played most of the game with 10 men.
The Blades had goalkeeper Wes Foderingham sent off after 17 minutes for bringing down Nathan Tella just outside the box.
But the visitors kept Burnley, who sealed an immediate return to the top flight on Friday, out for the remainder of the first half at Turf Moor.
Substitute Manuel Benson came close to giving Burnley the lead after the break when he fired against the side netting with a shot from outside the box.
Fellow substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson then scored twice in 10 minutes with two cool finishes as Burnley eventually made their advantage count to seal a 26th league win of the campaign.
The win meant Burnley extend their lead at the top over Sheffield United to 14 points, while the Blades have a five-point cushion and game in hand on third-placed Luton.
Sheffield United inflicted one of Burnley’s two Championship defeats this season when they thrashed them 5-2 in November, but since then Vincent Kompany’s side have gone unbeaten in the league and are champions in waiting.
They need just five more points from their remaining six matches to secure the title.
The Clarets were promoted after beating Middlesbrough on Good Friday and were given an early helping hand by their closest challengers in this game.
Foderingham’s straight red card came following a mix up with defender Jack Robinson in trying to stop Tella from weaving his way into the box.
The dismissal quelled the early momentum which the visitors had built and boss Paul Heckingbottom was furious with Robinson as he immediately withdrew him to bring on substitute keeper Adam Davies.
Davies was almost beaten within moments of his arrival as Ian Maatsen’s free-kick was deflected just over the crossbar.
United might have been fortunate not to be reduced to nine men when Oli Norwood went in late on Maatsen soon after but referee Michael Salisbury did not see it as a foul.
Burnley dominated possession following Foderingham’s departure but had nothing to show for their efforts until the hour mark.
When the visiting defence failed to pick up Gudmundsson, the Iceland international fired home a low left-footed strike to give them a deserved lead.
He then doubled his tally to seal victory with a close-range finish after more hesitant defending from Heckingbottom’s side.
Line-ups
Burnley
Formation 4-3-3
- 49Muric
- 14Roberts
- 5Harwood-BellisBooked at 10minsSubstituted forTaylorat 69′minutes
- 36Beyer
- 29Maatsen
- 24Cullen
- 4CorkSubstituted forGudmundssonat 45′minutes
- 8BrownhillSubstituted forBastienat 77′minutes
- 23TellaSubstituted forObafemiat 87′minutes
- 10Barnes
- 12FosterSubstituted forManuelat 45′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Taylor
- 7Gudmundsson
- 15Peacock-Farrell
- 17Manuel
- 22da Silva
- 26Bastien
- 45Obafemi
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 18FoderinghamBooked at 17mins
- 15Ahmedhodzic
- 12EganBooked at 28mins
- 19RobinsonSubstituted forDaviesat 19′minutes
- 20BogleBooked at 59mins
- 8BergeSubstituted forBashamat 82′minutes
- 16Norwood
- 22DoyleSubstituted forFleckat 73′minutes
- 2Baldock
- 9McBurnieSubstituted forOsulaat 73′minutes
- 29NdiayeBooked at 72minsSubstituted forSharpat 73′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Davies
- 4Fleck
- 6Basham
- 10Sharp
- 26Clark
- 28McAtee
- 32Osula
- Referee:
- Michael Salisbury
- Attendance:
- 21,506
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Burnley 2, Sheffield United 0.
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Second Half ends, Burnley 2, Sheffield United 0.
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Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Adam Davies.
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Attempt saved. Jóhann Gudmundsson (Burnley) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Connor Roberts.
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Attempt saved. Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Jayden Bogle.
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Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Josh Cullen.
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Attempt blocked. Billy Sharp (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Foul by Jordan Beyer (Burnley).
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William Osula (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Burnley. Michael Obafemi replaces Nathan Tella.
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Foul by Nathan Tella (Burnley).
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Jayden Bogle (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Nathan Tella (Burnley).
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John Fleck (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Connor Roberts (Burnley) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jóhann Gudmundsson with a cross.
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Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Adam Davies.
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Attempt saved. Nathan Tella (Burnley) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Ian Maatsen.
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Substitution, Sheffield United. Chris Basham replaces Sander Berge.
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Foul by Samuel Bastien (Burnley).
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Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
