Burnley win promotion to Premier League

Elliot goals helps Burnley win promotion to Premier League

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Monday, 25, May 2009 09:01

Burnley have gained promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off at Wembley.

Burnley got off to a sensational start as they took the lead after just 13 minutes. Wade Elliot went on a rampaging run from the halfway line and when his attempted pass to Chris McCann was blocked back into his path, Elliot beat Paddy Kenny with a splendid 25-yard strike.

The Blades tried to keep their composure despite going behind so early on and thought they should have had a penalty when Graham Alexander collided Brian Howard in the penalty area, but referee Mike Dean only gave a corner.

Elliot looked bright early on for Burnley and it was his breaking run from midfield which saw his side come close to scoring a second goal. The ball fell to Martin Paterson on the right-wing and he cut inside on his left foot and tried to curl the ball into the top corner, but the ball went just wide.

Burnley oozed class in the first-half and passed the ball around with confidence while Sheffield United were content to hoof the ball into the area.

The Clarets had another chance to add to their lead when a cross from Elliot found Steven Thompson at the back post, but his header went just over the bar.

Joey Gudjohnsson should have scored for Burnley in the second-half when he had a tap-in from a couple of yards out. Paterson crossed the ball from the right and Thompson headed the ball across goal where Gudjohnsson was unmarked, but Nick Montgomery did brilliantly to block the ball.

Sheffield United were living dangerously and only great defending kept them in the game. This time Thompson broke clear down the right wing and tried to slide the ball across to Robbie Blake, but luckily for the Blades Kyle Walker made the interception.

But any chance of a United comeback were all but over when they went down to ten men after Jamie Ward was sent off for handling inside the Burnley penalty area.

Despite there being five minutes of stoppage time, Burnley held on to win and gain promotion to the Premier League.