Burnley thump Sheff Wed to boost automatic promotion hopes

1 day ago 3

The goals finally flowed for Burnley as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 at Turf Moor to extend their incredible unbeaten run in the Championship to 21 games.

Scott Parker's side boast the best defensive record of any team in England's top four tiers - recording their 12th straight shutout - but were finding it difficult to be as effective at the opposite end.

They rode their luck early as Wednesday squandered a handful of chances to snatch the lead before Marcus Edwards broke the deadlock by gliding over a couple of half-hearted challenges and rifling into the roof of the net in the 43rd minute.

Marcus Edwards celebrates Burnley's opener

If the opener arrived against the run of play, the remainder of the game was controlled expertly by Burnley. With the Championship's top two Leeds and Sheffield United playing each other on Monday, the perfect chance to close the gap on the Yorkshire pair had presented itself and was ruthlessly seized upon.

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Manuel Benson scores Burnley's fourth goal of the night in stunning fashion

Jaidon Anthony was the creator of goals two and three, flashing across the face of goal for substitute Josh Brownhill to score within 43 seconds of entering the field and then teeing up Conor Roberts for a simple tap-in.

The pick of the bunch was scored late by Manuel Benson on his injury return, unleashing a rocket with his weaker right foot in second-half stoppage time. "He's a superstar, he can rip up the Championship if he stays fit," said Clinton Morrison on Sky Sports' live coverage.

Burnley have now gone over 18 hours without conceding a goal and have been breached just nine times all season.

The managers

Burnley boss Scott Parker:

"First and foremost the result was key and we got that. We started slowly, they came with a game plan and it took us a bit of time to get used to. Second half we were superb.

"Sheffield Wednesday put us under pressure and had some big chances, so you can see the mentality of this team in terms of protecting the goal. They celebrate those moments - I have a vivid picture of Maxime Esteve celebrating a block.

"As a team we defend as a unit. But we also managed to score four goals which is really pleasing."

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl:

"You saw the difference between a top team and us. Between both boxes we played well, we created opportunities but the difference is they score. For me it was not a 4-0, but that doesn't matter, it's hard to take.

"Before we concede we had a lot of opportunities, big chances. They make a big chance a goal. We try, try, try but in the end it's a big difference.

"I will take some positives but there are mistakes we do again and again, this is hard. You need a perfect game here to give you a chance."

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