Burnley moved three points from safety with a vital and commanding away win over bottom side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Jacob Bruun Larsen and Lorenz Assignon scored twice in quick succession to give the Clarets a two-goal lead at half-time.

Sheff Utd pulled a goal back through Gustavo Hamer early in the second half but Lyle Foster restored Burnley’s two-goal advantage just six minutes later, before Johann Berg Gudmundsson added further gloss to a big win.

Burnley's victory took them two points behind 18th-placed Luton Town - who suffered a crushing 5-1 home defeat to Brentford on Saturday - while Vincent Kompany's side are now just three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Crucially the Clarets, who have lost just one of their last seven league matches, host Forest on the final day of the season.

Sheff Utd, who are winless at home since December, remain rooted to the bottom of the table and could be relegated after their next match on Wednesday.

How the match unfolded

Having been at fault for costly goals in the previous two matches, Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric made big saves early on and rewarded Kompany's decision to keep faith with him.

After denying Oliver McBurnie from close range, Muric made himself big to also deny Ben Brereton Diaz after the Blades forward had got in behind the Burnley defence following a neat one-two with Hamer.

McBurnie then tested Muric with a fierce strike at his near post, which the goalkeeper tipped over.

The hosts were made to rue those missed opportunities when they fell behind in the 38th minute. Following a fine run from Wilson Odobert, Bruun Larsen’s volley took a deflection and snuck in at Ivo Grbic’s near post. 

Sheff Utd’s frustration was compounded 99 seconds later – the Clarets doubling their lead as Assignon dribbled into the penalty area, glided past Brereton Diaz and, with the help of a deflection, finished low past Grbic.

The Blades revived hopes of a comeback seven minutes into the second half when Hamer placed an excellent finish beyond Muric.

Brereton Diaz then nearly restored parity, but he was again thwarted by Muric.

It proved to be a pivotal moment because Burnley promptly made it 3-1. Assignon picked out Foster as the Blades defence parted, and the striker coolly slotted home.

It became a rout three minutes later, substitute Gudmundsson settling the contest with a precise finish into the bottom-left corner.

Club reports

Burnley report

Match officials

Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn. Fourth official: Rebecca Welch. VAR: Tim Robinson. Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard.