Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images

Connor Roberts jokes as Burnley thrash Sheffield Wednesday, James Trafford reacts

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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James Trafford has reacted to Connor Roberts' message to Burnley fans via social media following a 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.

Both players starred during the clash at Turf Moor on 21 February, with Roberts hitting the back of Wednesday's net while Trafford kept his 24th clean sheet of the Championship season.

All three points for Scott Parker's side sees the Clarets move within four points of Daniel Farke's Leeds United side before their top-of-the-table clash against Sheffield United on Monday (24 February).

Burnley's new signing Marcus Edwards also bagged his first Championship goal of the season, opening the scoring just before the half-time break.

James Trafford enjoyed Connor Roberts' performance

Taking to Instagram [22 February] following a star-studded performance, Roberts wrote: "Went full Keith Lemon and scored a goal. Lovely win, chaps," with a thumbs up and football emoji.

Trafford simply left a thumbs-up emoji in response, with Wolves goalkeeper Tom King replying: "Sheets are clean."

Burnley are simply defying all the odds in the Championship this season, with the goalkeeper already boasting 24 clean sheets in 33 games.

Only Leeds' Illan Meslier, with 20, comes anywhere close.

Scott Parker can lead Burnley back to the Premier League

While Leeds and the Blades offer far more going forward in the final third, the Clarets currently have the best defensive record in the division, conceding just nine league goals all season.

This is the kind of form that gets teams promoted, but they will have to keep their nerve right until the end of the season if they are leapfrog one of the two teams above them.

Championship standingsPoints
1. Leeds United72
2. Sheffield United70
3. Burnley68
4. Sunderland62
Burnley could secure automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Upcoming matches against Cardiff City and Luton Town could give them the perfect opportunity to take advantage of far more difficult games for the two teams above.

Jaidon Anthony finally looked to be back in form for Burnley, with three assists in his last three games, and Hannibal Mejbri slotted into the squad almost seamlessly.

If their current form continues, Parker should have no trouble securing promotion back to the Premier League, but staying in the top division next season is the bigger challenge.

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