Burnley vs. Sheffield United
Saturday, 1st January 2011
@ Turf Moor - Kick-Off: 3:00pm
In an entertaining fixture at Bramall Lane earlier in the season the Blades came from two goals down to draw level at three-all. United had plenty of chances throughout the game; Mark Yeates free-kick hit the foot of the post in the first half.
All six goals came in the second when the visitors went two goals to the good; first Dean Marney (49 minutes) headed the ball home past Steve Simonsen and when five minutes later Chris Iwelumo was tripped in the box by de Laet it was virtually game over when Chris Eagles converted the spot kick.
However they were given a lifeline when Leon Cort tumbled at the back to all Daniel Bogdanovic (57) the opportunities to seal the ball close to goal and neatly finish past Jensen.
The Blades made the score level when good work from Yeates on the left flank found substitute Matthew Lowton (82) who with the aid of a slight deflection found the back of the net.
Not to be out done the Clarets bounced back and with 30 seconds left on the clock Jay Rodiguez found himself in plenty of space to fire the ball home. The win looked in the bag for the visitors who brought a healthy following but there was to be a twist in this story...
... The officials added five minutes of extra play to the game and this allowed United; three minutes into it to have the last say; Mark Yeates marched up the field, he weaved around the defence before firing past Jensen in the Burnley net!
United are unlikely to have found a successor to Gary Speed, therefore caretaker manager John Carver is expected to manage the fort until a new manager is found.
United go into this Championship tie without a number of key players; Captain Chris Morgan (knee) has been sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury, whilst; Andy Taylor (leg), Ryan France (back) and Darius Henderson (hamstring) are also unavailable.
They are also without midfielder Stephen Quinn who was shown a red card in the 3-2 defeat at Norwich City in midweek and will serve a three match suspension. The Irishman will also miss the home fixtures against Doncaster Rovers and Aston Villa (FA Cup).
Both defender Kyle Bartley and midfielder Nick Montgomery picked up their fifth bookings of the season and will sit out the trip to Turf Moor. They could be replaced by Danny Batth and Lee Williamson - neither of which have started a league game for the Blades this season. Andy Reid may also miss the clash after being charged with violet conduct, which brings with it a three-match ban.
Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Calvé, Ertl, Nosworthy, Lowton, Ward, Williamson, Britton, Yeates, Cresswell, Evans.