SHEFFIELD United's Premiership dream ended in heartbreak and tears when they lost the Championship Play Off Final to Burnley this afternoon.
For full report, reaction, photos and more see The Star tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26, 2009.They suffered an early set back when Burnley's Wade Elliott put his team ahead with a rocket shot from outside the area in the 12th minute.
It left the Blades anxious for a goal to get them back into the game. But it never came and finished 1-0.
Controversy marred the day with Blades fans left feeling more injustice after two penalty calls fell on deaf ears.
They were also reduced to 10-men when Jamie Ward was sent off in the 78th minute for a second offence of hand ball.
The Blades will point to two penalty shouts turned down by referee Mike Dean, whose appointment was criticised by manager Kevin Blackwell in the build-up to the game.
The Cheshire official had sent off United defender Matthew Kilgallon during October's Steel City derby so his appointment for today's big match, his next meeting with the club, was "inexplicable", said United boss Kevin Blackwell.
Fams were echoing the comments as they made the lonmg journey home to Sheffield this evening.
Midfielder Elliott undid all United's hard work this season with the early strike - a wonder goal from about 20-yars out.
He skipped past a couple of Blades tackles and, when Chris McCann challenged for the loose ball, it fell back to Elliott to curl a stunning first-time effort past Paddy Kenny into the top corner.
United appealed for a penalty two minutes later when Brian Howard tumbled in the area under a clumsy challenge from Graham Alexander. But referee Mike Dean was not interested.
In the 68th minute Christian Kalvenes knocked Kyle Naughton off the ball in the box but again referee Dean waved away the appeals.
The first half was a lackluster performance from United as Burnley dictated the pace of the game and created almost all the chances.
In the second half United's defenders played magnificently to stop Burnley running away with it.
But it proved too long a season for Sheffield United and there wasn't enough left in the tank to find a goal or two and make the dream come true.
Up for grabs today was a £60million winner-takes-all place in the Premier League that will now see Burnley join the world's elite, in the richest club game in football.
United's only defeat in their last 14 league and cup games was 0-1, away to Burnley, on April 20.
Blackwell named an unchanged starting line-up. For Burnley, who today reached the top flight for the first time since 1976, manager Owen Coyle was also able to name an unchanged side from their second-leg win at Reading.
Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes, Elliott, Alexander, McCann (Gudjonsson 27), Blake (Eagles 69), Thompson (Rodriguez 73), Paterson. Subs Not Used: Penny, McDonald.
Booked: Carlisle, Kalvenes.
Goal: Elliott 13.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naughton, Montgomery, Howard (Lupoli 82), Cotterill (Ward 58), Stephen Quinn (Hendrie 85), Halford, Beattie. Subs Not Used: Bennett, Bromby.
Sent Off: Ward (80).
Booked: Ward, Lupoli.
Att: 80,518
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
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