Goals from Josh Brownhill and Zian Flemming earned Burnley a 2-0 victory at leaders Sheffield United and moved them to within a point of their opponents.
An early shot from Clarets midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Michael Cooper, and home defender Harry Souttar then had to be alert to cut out a dangerous low cross.
Gustavo Hamer sent an effort on target in the closing stages of the first half but the ball was easily claimed by James Trafford.
Brownhill put Burnley in front two minutes before the interval, stooping to meet Bashir Humphreys’ cross from the left with a far-post header. Cooper got his hand to the ball but could not keep it out.
The Blades’ line-up showed a change at the start of the second half, with Tom Davies sent on in place of Vinicius Souza.
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Josh Brownhill’s header puts Burnley ahead at Bramall Lane against Sheff Utd.
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Zian Flemming doubles Burnley’s lead at Bramall Lane after a huge deflection wrongfooted the ‘keeper!
Flemming put the visitors further ahead in the 53rd minute when his free-kick struck the defensive wall but rebounded to him and his deflected shot beat Cooper.
Sheffield United made two changes midway through the second half, with Anel Ahmedhodzic and Andre Brooks coming on for Alfie Gilchrist and Rhian Brewster.
As the hosts looked to try and pull a goal back, Davies failed to get the power and direction required to test Trafford from a free-kick.
Another attack from the home side saw Trafford punch away a cross and the ball fell to Ahmedhodzic, who blasted his shot wide from the edge of the area.
Another double substitution was made by Chris Wilder to try and bring about a change in fortunes, with Ryan One and Sam McCallum taking over from Callum O’Hare and Harrison Burrows.
Burnley also made substitutions, with John Egan and Lyle Foster entering the fray five minutes from time as Mejbri and Flemming made way.
Sheffield United finished the game a man down as Souttar had to be helped from the pitch after sustaining an injury.
Jaiden Anthony had the chance to add a third goal when he found himself through on goal following a strong run but Cooper stood up well to make the save.
The win extends Burnley’s unbeaten run to 10 games, while it was the Blades’ first home defeat of the season as they endured a disappointing start under their new owners.
The managers
Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder:
“I’m obviously disappointed about the result. This was always going to be a tight game, which it obviously turned out to be.
“Burnley are going well, just as well as we are. First half, coming at half-time, I didn’t think there was anything in the game.
“We had enough opportunities to find our little bit that would nudge us in front, but I always thought it was going to be a tight game.
“We didn’t get the press right for their opening goal, but first half I thought we edged a tight game.
“Second half, in the first 10 minutes, we were really on top and against the run of play we concede through a massive deflection. The lead up to it is ridiculous. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“They get awarded a free-kick on the edge of our box and ours is exactly (the same), if not worse, on the edge of their box. Callum O’Hare just gets absolutely wiped out. That would have possibly been a second yellow and a red card.
“That decision just sort of painted the picture of what that was about and then all of a sudden everything gets blown up. Every decision after that, every 50-50 or a nudge or anything gets flagged up.”
Burnley’s Scott Parker:
“It was a really solid, good away performance. It was a well-worked (first) goal and then the second probably comes at a good moment as well, really.
“Then the longer the game went on, I thought we looked a real threat. We looked rock solid, which has been a real key factor for us this year.
“So, overall, a tough place to come and coming here with a full intensity, getting three points.
“I thought we managed the game really well. Even the first half, they had control without really, really hurting us. I knew that maybe there would be a threat in wide areas. We dealt with that very, very well.
“This is a very, very young group in development. They are facing things very different from one week to the next. They stand up to the challenges of what they’re facing and they’re doing very well.
“There’s still loads and loads of work to be done. We need to stay focused, keep grinding out results and keep improving like we are.
“I still see loads of improvement in this team. I still see facets of this team where we could be so much better and that’s a real positive for me.”
