Buoyed by Burke, Blades beat Rovers in Bristol battle

Sheffield United secured a first win in a staggering 182 days on Saturday, edging out League One side Bristol Rovers in dramatic fashion to progress to round four of the FA Cup.

The visitors came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, determined to assert their higher standing; United’s strike pairing of David McGoldrick and Lys Mousset linking to good effect initially.

It was Mousset, who gave his side the lead. Ben Osborn delivered a crisp delivery from the left, the Frenchman soared above his marker, redirecting a precise header into the top left corner, beyond the outstretched arm of Joe Day.

However, following Alfie Kilgour’s unstoppable header from a delicious Zain Westbrooke free kick, all of a sudden, United looked completely bereft of ideas.

Having been penned back early doors, Rovers displayed renewed vigour, truly riding the shift in momentum. Heading into the break, it was glaringly obvious that Paul Tisdale’s side’s belief had grown exponentially, as they nonchalantly sprayed passes around, unintimidated by their opponent’s substantially higher standing.

The tide turned upon the introduction of forward, Oliver Burke. In truth, the Scottish international could have quite easily helped himself to a hat-trick. Moments after his introduction, he was expertly fed by John Fleck, only to miscue from close range, his effort shanked horribly wide.

To his credit, the miss was simply shrugged off, and his persistence eventually paid off. Fleck displaying his immense vision once again, delivering an exquisite slide rule pass that sliced through the Rovers backline like a scolding knife through butter.

Burke timed his run to perfection, thundered towards goal, before demonstrating immense composure as he coolly rolled past Day between the Rovers sticks.

Ignoring the script, plucky Rovers almost immediately equalised for a second time. Havoc ensued from the delivery of a deadly corner, Jack Baldwin redirecting at first, prior to Max Ehmer stabbing past Aaron Ramsdale from a matter of yards out.

Remarkably, in what was a frenetic four-minute spell, The Blades went ahead for the third, and final time. Burke was instrumental yet again, combining with McGoldrick, allowing Jayden Bogle to find a pocket of space within the Rovers area, which he duly exploited, tucking away for the winner.

Burke’s unrivalled energy and clever movement had the Rovers backline in fits, a dose of sheer elite quality that the Blades had lacked throughout the first period.

The Scotsman will be pleased to be off and running at his new club, his calm and collected finish that elevated United into a 2-1 lead during Saturday’s FA Cup clash, his first for the Bramall Lane based outfit.

“We knew we had to be ready and I thought we put in a good shift and got the win that we needed, Burke told Yorkshire Live after the game.

“My first goal for Sheffield United, really delighted with that. A long time coming.”

The goal would have been thoroughly appreciated not just on a personal level, but throughout the entire Sheffield United organisation. The club have been monumentally starved in an attacking proficiency sense – a mere eight goals during Premier League play, a divisional low.

It may be too little too late for the Blades, firmly glued to the foot of the Premier league table on a meagre two points, twelve points adrift of safety.

Versatile in that he is comfortable operating as a winger or an outright forward, if he is capable of reproducing his impactful display in the cup, he could well provide a glimmer of hope as the Blades fight desperately to stave off relegation.

Burke’s showing will have done his chances of featuring more prominently going forward no harm. United’s attacking triumvirate of Oli McBurnie, McGoldrick and Rhian Brewster have combined for a lowly six goals.

The latter, recruited for a hefty £23.5 million from Liverpool back in October, yet to open his account in the red and white stripes of Sheffield United.

Due to the club’s perilous standing, it is unlikely that they will be able to attract forwards of considerable calibre during the current transfer window. Bearing this in mind, one could argue that there is little to lose in Chris Wilder presenting the Scot further opportunities during United’s remaining slate of fixtures.

Yeah, really pleased. He’s had opportunities this season and the forwards have taken the heat, Wilder said to Yorkshire Live.

To get that goal will do him no harm. All the forwards need that boost and confidence – Chris Wilder

Granted, his showing this past weekend was against opposition of a lesser standard. That being said, the strike, combined with his overall performance, may provide a spark that is able to rejuvenate a career that once held such promise.

A product of the Nottingham Forest academy, he burst onto the scene in 2015, his innate ability garnering the attention of RB Leipzig.

Signed by the Bundesliga club for a fee of £13 million, a record figure for a Scottish player, playing a part as “Die Roten Bullen” finished as runners-up. However, he found chances to impress at a premium, and was predominantly restricted to substitute appearances.

After a year in Germany, West Bromwich Albion came calling, luring Burke to the Hawthorns. Burke endured a tumultuous, injury laden spell at the Hawthorns, making a mere 20 appearances during a difficult three-year spell.

He was farmed out on loan to Celtic, along with Spanish top tier side, Alaves. His period in the West Midlands was brought to an end last October, Sheffield United securing his services, a swap deal which involved Callum Robinson moving in the opposite direction.

Should United ultimately fail in avoiding demotion, if Burke is afforded increased minutes following a masterful cameo in Bristol, it could provide a platform for him to demonstrate his undoubted talents, in the hope of drawing interest from potential suitors at the top level.

Another added incentive for Burke’s performance levels will be the fact that his country has secured qualification for this year’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

He will undoubtedly be keen to put himself at the forefront of Scotland manager Steve Clarke’s mind, desperate to play a part in the nation’s first major tournament involvement since 1998.

Tisdale’s side can be proud, having given a good account of themselves against a strong United outfit. Ultimately, it was the touch of pure class from one individual, a certain Mr. Burke, that proved to be the difference.

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