Better to have been born lucky than born skilful

Last updated : 26 August 2002 By Tony Scholes

Sheffield United arrived at the Turf without a win but a deflected goal from Iffy Onuora was enough to see them return to Bramall Lane with all three points as they battled out the second half with more than a fair share of good fortune.

That second half battle was not lost on Warnock who said,

"It was like the Alamo. It was a game of two halves. The crowd got behind them, they hit the bar and the post and Paddy Kenny made a save that he made a meal of. We had to see what we were made of.

"We were clinical and should have been 4-0 up at half time and we were good defensively. But even in the second half we had the best opportunities to score. It was just long ball stuff into our box from Burnley.

"We showed tremendous spirit throughout and you won’t win anything without that no matter who you have playing for you."

Stan thought the Clarets were somewhat unlucky to lose and is now looking for a piece of good fortune,

"In times of adversity you just have to roll you sleeves up and get on with it. Things will be fine and all we need is a little break.

"It is sometimes better to have been born lucky than born skilful and in the second half we had them on the ropes but just couldn't get a goal. We hit the woodwork twice and had one off the line.

"We have had a setback but all we have got to do is keep showing the same commitment and spirit and we will be okay. At the moment we are having a really bad time of it and everything that can go against us is. But things have a habit of levelling out over the season.

"The only way is up - I hope!"

Onuora seals triumph

Peter Keeling (Sunday Telegraph)

A year ago, Burnley won the first three games of the season to lead the First Division, but this year they are bottom without a point.

However, their battle-hardened manager Stan Ternent is an expert at treating those impostors of triumph and disaster just the same and is not yet ready to be too critical of his players.

He had seen Sheffield United dominate the first-half and claim the winning goal when the lively Iffy Onuora's 35th minute 16-yard drive beat Nik Michopoulos via a deflection from Ian Cox.

However, Burnley hit back after the break and it took sturdy defending and fine goalkeeping by Paddy Kenny, on loan from Bury, to enabled Sheffield to survive.

Ternent said: "We showed great spirit, even though things have been going against us. But we are improving every match and the only way now is up. We'll be okay if we keep going like that."

Neil Warnock, the United manager, said: "Last season, we went seven games without winning, so it was pleasing to get our first win today and we could have been 4-0 ahead at half-time.

"But we certainly had to defend in the second-half and Shaun Murphy and Steve Yates won everything while Kenny has filled the gap for us magnificently in goal."

There were plenty of close calls in both goalmouths with Carl Asaba clipping the top of the Burnley bar in the 16th minute, and Kenny adjusting brilliantly to save a deflected Ian Moore shot.

Gareth Taylor went close three times for Burnley in the second-half, notably when his far-post header hit a defender, while substitute Lenny Johnrose was also desperately when his header struck the bar.

Finally, substitute Ben Doane heroically cleared off the line when Ian Moore thought he had hit a point-saving shot in injury-time.