November 4, 2023 4:11 pm
Benson, Obafemi, Ekdal, Churlinov & Egan-Riley continue comeback in U21s win
A number of Vincent Kompany’s first team players continued their recovery to full fitness with match action as the Clarets beat Sheffield United 1-0.
After it looked like the clash would finish goalless, Darko Churlinov fired home the winner in the last minute of stoppage time.
Manuel Benson, Hjalmar Ekdal and Michael Obafemi completed a successful hour, whilst Churlinov and CJ Egan-Riley played the full 90 minutes at the Burnley Training Centre.
First Half
The first effort on target came with less than a minute on the clock as Benson curled the ball aiming for the far corner but Faxon had it covered.
United forced their first opportunity when Peck worked his way forward and drilled a shot wide of the post.
The Blades forced a counter attack shortly after and it was Peck involved once again but teed up Seriki to his right, with the defender’s dangerous cross blocked by Egan-Riley.
Michael Collins’ side were enjoying the ball in attack and had another chance with 15 minutes played but One could only fire over the crossbar from just six yards out.
The away side looked to have found the breakthrough midway through the first half but Hampson’s low strike hit the inside of the post.
Just before the break the Clarets came close to breaking the deadlock when Churlinov saw his effort hacked away off the line with the two sides heading into the break goalless.
Second Half
Churlinov then had another chance early in the second half but Faxon was forced into action to palm away the North Macedonian’s strike.
The Blades looked to respond to the Clarets’ lively start and came close when One’s cross was narrowly missed by the head of Macedo unmarked at the back post.
The afternoon came to a successful close for Benson, Ekdal and Obafemi on the hour mark as the trio made way for Tweedy, Campbell and Healy-Byrne.
Westley opened up an opportunity to take the lead with 20 minutes to play after racing forward and scooping the ball just wide of the target with Faxon out of goal.
Burnley: Franchi, Sassi, Pye (Le Fondre 86), Egan-Riley, Ekdal (Campbell 60), Davies, Benson (Healy-Byrne 60), Hugill, Obafemi (Tweedy 60), Westley, Churlinov
Unused substitutes: Vilar-Robinson
Sheffield United: Faxon, Seriki, Buyabu, Sasnauskas, Easton, Drake, Peck, Hampson, One, Macedo, Staniland
Unused substitutes: Yam, Gomis, Dickinson, Hackford
Goals: Churlinov 90’
