Ne-Jai Tucker scored a goal and set up another as Burnley’s under-23s secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Sheffield United in their Premier League Cup opener on Monday at Chesterfield’s Technique Stadium.

Tucker, a wide midfielder, set up the opening goal on the half-hour mark when his perfect cross found Michael Mellon at the far post to head past goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst for his eleventh goal of the season.

Burnley doubled their lead two minutes before the break when Mark Helm, partnering Tucker in midfield in a 4-4-2 formation, was fouled 22 yards from goal. Tucker curled in a superb free kick that Dewhurst touched but could not keep out.

Burnley made a triple substitution just after the hour mark and one of the replacements, Max Thompson, almost set up the third goal when he found striker Joe McGlynn with a 40-yard pass but McGlynn could not hit the target.

Dewhurst made a double save to deny Helm and Mellon, before Helm saw a shot from distance rattle the crossbar.

Burnley did score a third eight minutes from time when Thompson, last season’s top scorer, converted a low cross from Armstrong. The win extends Burnley’s run to six games unbeaten in all competitions.

On Friday, Burnley face Norwich City at home in a Premier League 2 second division fixture.