Burnley close in on place in the play-offs

Burnley 1 Sheffield Utd 0:WITH FRIENDS like Owen Coyle, promotion to the Premier League is very much within Alex McLeish's grasp. The Birmingham manager endorsed Coyle's candidature when there was a vacancy at Turf Moor 19 months ago.

Now he can consider that favour handsomely repaid. After Coyle’s Burnley, courtesy of Martin Paterson, defeated Sheffield United, victory for Birmingham against Preston on Saturday will ensure top-flight football for the Blues next season. Sheffield United’s prowess on their travels has underpinned their promotion push but this was a first setback in six months.

Sheffield United’s more muscular approach provided a contrast with Burnley’s slight band of technicians. Coyle has converted the winger Wade Elliott into a central midfielder, and the merits of deploying a dribbler infield were apparent after 90 seconds. When Matthew Kilgallon’s attempted clearance rebounded off Paterson to Elliott, he advanced from the centre circle at speed, evading one would-be tackler before unleashing a forceful shot that clipped the woodwork.

Kevin Blackwell’s pre-match plans required a rapid amendment when he was compelled to remove his left-back Gary Naysmith after a quarter of an hour. However, the right flank proved a profitable avenue for Burnley, both before and after the Scotland international’s departure. Indeed, Rhys Williams crossed from the right for Paterson to defeat Paddy Kenny. With a goalscorer’s innate understanding of the geometry of the penalty area, he supplied a deft glancing header to nestle the ball in the far corner. It was a first strike in 13 games but the 18th of a commendable first campaign at Turf Moor.

If the imaginative passing and quick movement of Burnley’s five-man midfield restricted United’s opportunities to get forward, it was unsurprising that set-pieces constituted their clearest chances. Greg Halford’s crisp drive was parried by Brian Jensen and, from the resulting corner, the Dane turned Darius Henderson’s header over.

Halford’s physicality was apparent when a header forced Clarke Carlisle into an excellent clearance. Blake’s attempts to exact retribution were conducted in the right manner. Finding space where there appeared none, his mesmerising solo run was followed by a cut-back for Chris McCann. The midfielder’s shot was well struck but Kenny produced an outstanding save.

BURNLEY: Jensen, Williams, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes, Elliott, Alexander, McCann, Eagles, Paterson (Rodriguez 86), Blake (Gudjonsson 80). Subs Not Used: Penny, Duff, McDonald. Goals: Paterson 23.

SHEFF UTD: Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith (Ward 16), Halford, Montgomery, O’Toole, Stephen Quinn (Hendrie 70), Beattie (Lupoli 76), Henderson. Subs Not Used: Webber, Bromby.

Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne Wear).