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The Claret's single- goal- victory over United has meant that they have done the double over the Blades for the first time in 88 years. But the amazing record which has been broken by Owen Coyle's Clarets, is the least of United's worries as their automatic promotion hopes took a major blow. Martin Paterson's header flew past Paddy Kenny into the far-hand corner of the goal midway through the 1st half when he was partially unmarked. Greg Halford's stamp on Robbie Blake could have warranted a red card but luckily for the loanee, the referee didn't spot the incident. Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United have now lost away from home for the first time since the 19th October 2008.
Matt Kilgallon was surprisingly included in the starting line-up to face the Clarets despite fears he could sit out the remainder of the season. Craig Beattie was handed his first start in a Blades shirt whilst midfield duo John-Joe O'Toole and Stephen Quinn were recalled - the latter returned from an injury. Jamie Ward and Leigh Bromby arrived on the bench whilst David Cotterill for some reason wasn't included in the 16. Brian Howard was suspended for the tie, as he will be against Swansea City on Saturday.
4-5-1 looked like the formation United opted to play against a Burnley side who lost their previous league battle. United were on the back foot right from the off when poor defending allowed Wade Elliott's curling effort with his left peg hit the outside of the post.
McCann directed his header over from a good cross whilst Greg Halford tried his luck at the opposite end of the field. Goalkeeper Brian Jensen spilled the on-loan Black Cat's poor free-kick out for a Blades' corner but nothing led from the following set-piece.
Gary Naysmith stumbled off just 16 minutes into the tie, which meant United had to reorganise and swap a few positions. Kyle Naughton switched to left-back with Greg Halford slotting in at right-back. Jamie Ward who replaced the Scot manoeuvred to right-midfield.
Blades front-man Darius Henderson felt harshly treated when he was penalised for minor incidents. Shortly after, Owen Coyle's men surged down the right-wing where Williams curled the ball in the box and Paterson, who returned to the Burnley side, nodded past Paddy Kenny after slack defending.
Henderson chested down neatly to Stephen Quinn but he volleyed over from 18 yards. Greg Halford was penalised for a foul on Robbie Blake and reacted stupidly when he stamped on the midfielder's calf. A few words were exchanged by both players and the referee calmed the situation.
Beattie claimed for handball just before half-time but he couldn't get his shot away from close-range and the ball was put out for a corner. Quinn's cross was deep but Henderson's explosive drive at goal was deflected over for another Blades corner, with the ball deemed to rattle the net.
Half-time arrived and both managers didn't make a change. Elliott's hammer at Kenny was caught by the Irishman and then Quinn dipped the ball in towards the back-post which Halford met but, Carlisle prevented in the end.
Robbie Blake turned to Lionel Messi for a few seconds when he magnificently tricked two United defenders and laid the ball off to McCann but his drill was cleverly parried by Kenny.
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Henderson perhaps should have capitalised when Naughton's deflected effort fell to the former Watford striker, but he blasted over with his unfavoured foot. Kenny was called upon once again when Blake's blast was saved.
Lee Hendrie was introduced to the fray when he replaced Craig Beattie, and shortly after, Ward was intercepted when Clark Carlisle slid away. United mounted on the pressure but couldn't convert - Henderson's header to the ground bounced up too high for Ward who attempted a half-volley at Brian Jensen's goal.
Arturo Lupoli was United's final substitution of the tie, Stephen Quinn departed. Martin Paterson thought he netted a brace when he nodded in with 10 minutes remaining, but the linesman had his flag raised for the ball originally being took out of play by McCann.
Lupoli struck the post when he poked at goal but it didn't matter anyway because he was penalised for offside. United's two centre-halves pushed up to search for an equaliser in the five added minutes indicated, and the added time indicated sparked the 13,000 Burnley supporters.
No clear cut chances arose which meant Burnley became the first team on their own patch to beat Sheffield United in 15 away matches. They are also the third team to claim three points over the Blades in the last 23 games. United can mathematically still go up to the promise land automatically, but it's a big ask. If Birmingham beat Preston at St Andrews in front of the Sky Sports cameras, then they will be the second team to be promoted to the Premier League this season. The result hasn't done Swansea or Preston any favours as they are still in the hunt for a play-off place. The final score from Turf Moor is, Burnley 1:0 Sheffield United.