Burnley promoted to the Premier League

Burnley won promotion to the Barclays Premier League beating Sheffield United 1-0 in the play-off final.

Wade Elliott's superb goal after 12 minutes was enough to settle a tense affair at Wembley and earn the Lancashire side a place in the top flight for the first time since 1976.

Elliott curled home a stunning 25-yard shot to give Burnley a deserved victory. They will now become the 43rd different club to play in the Premier League.

Sheffield United substitute Jamie Ward was sent off for two handballs in quick succession late on.

Sheffield United were bidding to return to the top flight two years after relegation while Burnley were aiming to become the 43rd different team to play in the Barclays Premier League.

The Blades began on the attack and were first to threaten with Kyle Walker's 25-yard shot taking a slight deflection as it ran through to Brian Jensen who got behind it well.

Stephen Quinn had a 20-yard drive blocked and then Robbie Blake failed to connect cleanly from similar distance.

Jensen dived to his right to smother Brian Howard's 18-yard shot as United kept up the early pressure.

Burnley seemed to be struggling to get into their stride but took the lead on 12 minutes with their first real attack of note.

Wade Eliiott broke forward on a surging 40-yard run from inside his own half and slipped the ball through to Chris McCann who was tackled by Matt Kilgallon as he tried to cut into the box.

curling shot

The ball came back out for Elliott who curled a superb 25-yard first-time shot into the top left corner giving Paddy Kenny no chance.

Graham Alexander was relieved not to concede a penalty for his challenge from behind on Howard.

The goal gave Burnley heart and they almost got a second when Steven Caldwell headed over from Blake's corner on the left.

Clarke Carlisle was booked for a foul and then Chriss McCann needed lengthy treatment. He tried to return but had to be replaced by Joey Gudjonsson on 27 minutes.

Martin Paterson almost increased the lead with a measured curling shot from just outside the right corner of the area but the effort drifted narrowly wide of the far post.

In the final minute of the first half, Steve Thompson headed across goal and just past the far right post from a right-wing cross by Elliott.

Half-time: Burnley 1-0 Sheffield United

instinctive block

Burnley, kicking towards their own fans. went close just three minutes after the break when Blake's outswinging right-wing corner was headed across goal by Thompson and Duff just failed to connect with a lunge at the far post.

The Clarets went even closer on 54 minutes when Paterson's dangerous right-wing cross was headed back across goal by Thompson beyond the far post.

It seemed Blake had to score from two yards out but Nick Montgomery made a superb instinctive block on the line.

Sheffield United sent on Jamie Ward for David Cotterill after 58 minutes.

But Burnley went close again on 65 minutes when Thompson beat the offside trap to sprint clear through the inside right channel.

He squared to give Blake a simple tap-in but Kyle Walker dived in with a superb interception to whip the ball off the toe of Blake just as he was about to pull the trigger.

The Blades were denied another penalty on 67 minutes when Walker burst into the box and looked to be bundled over by Kalvenes as he tried to cut past but referee Mike Dean waved away the loud appeals.

sent off

A minute later Blake made way for Chris Eagles. Jensen blocked with his legs from Ward and then Burnley made their final switch sending on Rodriguez for Thompson.

Ward was booked for handball and then Walker made another terrific block to stop a shot from Paterson who had cut menacingly across the box on 76 minutes.

With 11 minutes on the clock Ward was sent off for a second yellow card, again awarded for handball as the substitute used an arm to control the ball as he bore down on goal.

United manager Kevin Blackwell gambled on attack sending on Arturo Lupoli for Howard for the last eight minutes. Then Lee Hendrie took over from Stephen Quinn three minutes later.

Greg Halford headed past the left post as the Yorkshire side tried to mount a late rally.

Five extra minutes were added but Burnley held on to claim their place in the Barclays Premier League.