Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Sheffield United: Oli McBurnie makes the difference

Oli McBurnie repaid Chris Wilder’s faith - and another chunk of the investment Sheffield United made to acquire his services - by scoring the only goal of the game at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Oli McBurnie celebrates after scoring what would be the winning goal for Sheffield United at BrightonOli McBurnie celebrates after scoring what would be the winning goal for Sheffield United at Brighton
Oli McBurnie celebrates after scoring what would be the winning goal for Sheffield United at Brighton

The former Swansea City centre-forward’s intervention not only ensured the visitors remain unbeaten away from home since January but also lifted them to fifth in the Premier League table; only eight months after being promoted from the Championship.

United’s margin of victory could have been even greater had David McGoldrick converted at least one of the two openings which came his way after the break.

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But with Albion unable to pose a threat until the closing stages, it was McBurnie who made a difference after being preferred to Lys Mousset.

The Frenchman was introduced late on and, like McGoldrick, also went close but fired over the crossbar.

McBurnie’s effort - his third since completing a £20m close season move to Bramall Lane - came midway through a first-half dominated by United. Indeed, were it not for the intervention of the VAR officials at Stockley Park, Wilder’s players would already have been leading by the time the club’s record signing slid home beyond Matthew Ryan.

John Egan had barely had time to break sweat when, after McGoldrick’s presence caused problems in the Albion defence, he bundled home a set-piece swept into the box. The ‘goal’ was given. The celebrations were completed. But then the stadium’s scoreboards confirmed a decision was pending. The outcome, harshly according to real-time replays of the incident, was ‘handball’.

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Albion briefly appeared to have been boosted by the decision, with Maupay causing one or two problems. But United reasserted themselves, with John Lundstram going close before McBurnie latched onto Dean Henderson’s punt upfield, held off Lewis Dunk, and produced a clinical finish.

The same, unfortunately, could not be said of McGoldrick when he was presented with a wonderful opportunity to open his account for the season early in the second-half. After robbing Adam Webster of possession, the Republic of Ireland international then rounded Matthew Ryan. But McGoldrick’s angled shot hit the foot of the post. His wait for a top-flight goal goes on.

VAR intervened for a second time soon after when Jack O’Connell pounced after Ryan had fumbled Egan’s header. Again, United’s fans went wild with excitement before learning the Liverpudlian had strayed offside.

Mousset thought he had extended their advantage when, after coming on for McBurnie, he drifted across the edge of the area only to see his powerful drive fly just off target. But with Albion unable to trouble Henderson until Aaron Connolly forced him into action, United’s fine start to the new campaign continued.

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Brighton and Hove Albion: Ryan, Dunk, Stephens, Maupay, Trossard (Murray 46), Gross (Connolly 46), Webster, Mooy, Montoya (Bissouma 55), Propper, Burn. Not used: Button, Duffy, Bernardo, Alzate.

Sheffield United: Henderson, Baldock, Stevens, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Norwood (Besic 83), L Freeman (Osborn 53), Lundstram, McGoldrick, McBurnie (Mousset 65). Not used: Verrips, Sharp, Robinson, Jagielka.

Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside).

Attendance: 30,505.