Luton Town 1-1 Sheffield United: Oli McBurnie on target but Blades held to draw

Championship leaders Sheffield United had to settle for a point against Luton Town despite Oli McBurnie ending a run of 43 league appearances without a goal.

They fell behind at Kenilworth Road to Carlton Morris’ early glancing header, the summer signing’s second strike in successive games for the Hatters.

But Scotland striker McBurnie – whose previous league goal came against Leicester City in December 2020 – volleyed home after the break to bring the Blades level.

United keeper Wes Foderingham, apparently feeling unwell, had to go off in the 78th minute, with Jordan Amissah sent on for his senior debut, and he did well to tip over an added-time effort by sub Cameron Jerome as Luton pressed in vain for their first home win of the campaign.

The result left the Blades two points clear of Watford, Reading and Blackburn, who are all in action on Saturday, while Luton are 17th with six points from six games.

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Paul Heckingbottom’s side produced 31 shots on target in their first five games of the season – more than any other side in the division – but failed to test Luton’s Ethan Horvath in the opening half despite having the lion’s share of possession.

Their best moment came when James McAtee found Oliver Norwood with a corner and the midfielder showed tremendous technique with his 20-yard volley, but it hit Sander Berge and ricocheted away from goal.

By then they had already fallen behind as a long throw by Amari’i Bell was knocked back to him and Morris rose at the near post to meet his whipped-in cross, giving Foderingham no chance with his glancing header into the corner.

Although Luton found themselves pressed back into their own half as the half wore on, a first-time flick wide of the post by McBurnie was the best United could muster and the unmarked Elijah Adebayo had a chance to double the lead, only to volley over from James Bree’s ball in.

The travelling Blades support were out of their seats in the second half, though, as Luton failed to clear a corner and the ball was flicked on by John Egan for McBurnie to rifle home, prompting an emotional celebration which resulted in him receiving a yellow card.

Norwood was inches too high with a curling effort from just outside the box as the Blades looked for a second, while Adebayo’s header from another good delivery by full-back Bree flew narrowly over for Luton.

It was Jerome, though, who came closest to a late winner for the home side, who have now failed to win any of their last six league fixtures against United.

Luton manager Nathan Jones told BBC Three Counties Radio:

“They’re a top side, with really good players for the level. To go toe to toe and be aggressive against them, I thought first half we were outstanding.

“But for a seven minute period after half-time, I thought we deserved to win the game – they had to defend for their lives really not to concede a second.

“We’re very disappointed with their goal because there was an offside in the build-up, which is poor, but that’s what can happen.

“They’re a very good side, they’ll be there or thereabouts. In the Championship table for [the calendar year] 2022, we’re the top two points-takers and I think tonight showed why.”

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Sheffield:

“We knew what they were going to do, the game didn’t surprise me in the slightest, all their threats came how we thought they’d come and we stood up to it.

“We passed the ball well first half, but in the second we did it with a bit more intensity and higher up the pitch.

“What we are seeing now [from Oli McBurnie] is probably the benefit of an extra few weeks we gave him in pre-season, and he is fit and capable of performing like that.

“Wes was sick and just couldn’t carry on – we’ll get him away from the [other] players now and hopefully he’ll be OK in 24 hours.”