Burnley's Dominant 5-0 Win: Turf Moor, Rodriguez's Historic Goal

 Burnley's Dominant 5-0 Win: Turf Moor, Rodriguez's Historic Goal

William Osula of Sheffield United is challenged by Dara O'Shea of Burnley during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Sheffield United at Turf Moor on December 02, 2023 in Burnley, England. (Image-Getty)

Burnley delivered a stellar performance, securing their initial home points of the Premier League season by overwhelming 10-man Sheffield United 5-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday. Starting the match at the bottom of the table, Burnley, previously the sole team in the top four divisions without a home point, advanced two positions to 18th, while United dropped to 19th.

In a rematch from their Championship title race in the previous season, Vincent Kompany's Burnley showcased superior quality and control over the game. The action commenced swiftly, with Burnley taking the lead after just 15 seconds as Jay Rodriguez, capitalizing on Charlie Taylor's cross, executed a precise glancing header into the net. Rodriguez's goal marked a Premier League milestone, making him the first player to score within the opening 15 seconds in two separate matches, adding to his feat with Southampton in 2013 against Chelsea.

Burnley extended their lead in the 29th minute when Jacob Bruun Larsen, after receiving Dara O'Shea's long ball, showcased remarkable control and dispatched a polished finish past Wes Foderingham.

Reflecting on the triumph, Kompany expressed satisfaction, stating, "It felt like our performances have been good for a while now. After the disappointment comes a moment of reward. I have to congratulate the lads. I'm happy for them. The lads deserve all the credit they can get it. It's not been a one-off. We've had performances like that this season."

United's frustration reached a boiling point when Oli McBurnie received a yellow card for an elbow incident with O'Shea, subsequently leading to his dismissal before halftime. Despite a triple substitution by manager Paul Heckingbottom at halftime, Burnley continued to dominate with a numerical advantage.

Although United had a fleeting chance in the 68th minute when Gustavo Hamer played Osula through on goal, Burnley's goalkeeper James Trafford made a crucial save. Any hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished as Zeki Amdouni and Luca Koleosho scored in quick succession, sealing the comprehensive victory for Burnley.

The icing on the cake came in the 80th minute when Captain Josh Brownley hammered home an emphatic side-footed finish from the edge of the area, sealing Burnley's largest-ever Premier League win. Additionally, the triumph matched the joint-largest win by a team positioned at the bottom of the Premier League table, equaling Sheffield Wednesday's 5-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in 1997.