The 202/23 season celebrates 30 years since England’s top flight division changed its name from the Football League Division One to the FA Premier League. We look back at our treasured memories during the Blades’ time in the Premier League.
Since the rebranding of football’s top division, renamed the Premier League in 1992, the Blades have featured in five seasons as they celebrate its thirtieth year, playing 198 games. Undoubtedly, there have been many unforgettable moments during the three decades. Who can forget Mark Stein netting that killer goal which doomed the Blades to relegation in 1994, or the 2006-07 campaign that saw Wigan saved from relegation on the final day and condemning United to relegation. Keith Gillespie receiving a red card at Reading along the way and, of course, the Tevez affair?
United’s record in the Premier League is.
1992/93 – P42 W14 D10 L18 (GF54 GA53) Pos:14 – Points:52
1993/94 – P42 W8 D18 L16 (GF42 GA60) Pos:20 – Points:42
2006/07 – P38 W10 D8 L20 (GF32 GA55) Pos:18 – Points:38
2019/20 – P38 W14 D12 L12 (GF39 GA39) Pos:9 – Points:54
2020/21 – P38 W7 D2 L29 (GF20 GA63) Pos:20 – Points:23
Total – P198 W53 D50 L95 (GF187 GA270) Points:186
We’re pretty sure that you’ll have many different memories of Sheffield United in the Premier League compared to me. Such as Phil Jagielka netting a scorcher at home to Middlesbrough in 2006, or the 1-1 draw with neighbours Sheffield Wednesday in October 1993. We go through some of our highlights from Premier League yesteryear – and when United make the return to the top flight, we cannot wait to add more to the list!
We have comprised a list of our top five matches, (in date order).
04.04.1994 – Liverpool 1-2 Sheffield United
There haven’t been many times since the Blades have played at Anfield in the last 28 years, but this victory would have been the last against the Reds of Liverpool. Whilst trophies weren’t pouring in the 1990s, Liverpool was considered a quality side and came as no surprise when they took the lead three minutes into the match by a future Blade in Ian Rush after Jamie Redknapp’s volleyed cross eluded defender Bryan Gayle and the Wiley old Welshman collected, controlled, before firing past Simon Tracey from ten yards. Having gone six matches unbeaten before their trip to Merseyside they proved to be no mugs, though this proved to be their first away league victory of the season. After taking the lead, Liverpool, where masterminds of their downfall and were guilty of wasting several opportunities to extend their advantage. United punished their opposition a minute into the restart after Adrian Littlejohn’s blistering pace got the better of Steve Nichol, his shot was good, but David James spilt, and Jostein Flo reacted quickest to stab home. The Norwegian was on the scoresheet again on 72 minutes as he rose highest to head home Franz Carr’s corner in what was a rare win against the might of Liverpool.
04.11.2006 – Newcastle United 0-1 Sheffield United
Sheffield United earned their first away victory of the 2006/07 season at Newcastle United. The game itself wasn’t entertaining, despite being chosen by Sky TV. The magical moment struck twelve minutes from time as Nick Montgomery’s dinked ball into the box was met by the diving header of Danny Webber, with the Blades supporters going frantic high in the upper tier as the ball sailed past Steve Harper and into the net. The hosts’ best opportunity of the match came from Charles N’Zogbia’s cross which evaded Paddy Kenny and drifted onto the crossbar.
30.12.2006 – Sheffield United 1-0 Arsenal
Perhaps, by many, this fixture is considered one of the greatest matches they have witnessed as a Blade. They’re others that top the list (Nottingham Forest in the 2003 Play-Offs as an example), but in the Premier League few come close to this fixture. It had it all the drama rolled into one action-packed evening. United had taken the lead four minutes before the break when Alan Quinn played a hopeful ball through the middle, Christian Nade mugged his marker, allowing the ball to run between his legs before turning and firing home past a helpless Jens Lehmann. There would be further drama when an injury to keeper Paddy Kenny saw Jagielka play out the last 30 minutes in goal, as there was no substitute keeper on the bench. The defender made numerous saves to keep a clean sheet as United celebrated a memorable victory over an established Premier League Gunners side.
14.04.2007 – Sheffield United 3-0 West Ham United
United’s mission to warn off any relegation from the Premier League was looking good when the Blades swept West Ham aside at Bramall Lane by three clear goals without reply. The hosts had gone ahead six minutes before the break with Michael Tonge’s unstoppable free-kick before a second-half rally saw United further their advantage. Jagielka headed home Keith Gillespie’s corner on 68 minutes, and, on 78 minutes, Jon Stead’s solo run saw the striker unleash a powerful left-footed drive past Hammers stopper Robert Green to complete the route. Unfortunately, for the Blades, it wouldn’t be enough to save them from relegation. They picked up four more points from their remaining five matches but a defeat at home to Wigan Athletic on the final day ensured that United was relegated by a fine margin of -1 goal difference compared to the Latics.
18.08.2018 – Sheffield United 1-0 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United earned their first top-flight victory for 13 years when they defeated Crystal Palace by a single goal. United had drawn the opening day of the season at AFC Bournemouth and followed this up with a victory over the Eagles. Roared on by an emphatic home crowd, the Blades netted the games only goal two minutes after half-time. Luke Freeman had seen his effort parried away by Vicente Guaita, but John Lundstram continued his run to slot home unmarked.
27.01.2021 – Manchester United 1-2 Sheffield United
Although the game was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the victory served as a stark reminder of what this team had achieved the previous season when they finished ninth. In the 2020-21 campaign, they endured a miserable eight months that couldn’t end soon enough. Relegation followed but a rare victory at Old Trafford eased the relegation pain, even as early as January. The Blades took an unexpected lead on 23 minutes when Kean Bryan headed home John Fleck’s corner. The hosts levelled on 64 minutes after Harry Maguire headed home, also from a corner. The Blades surprisingly took the lead in what would be the winner ten minutes later as John Lundstram’s ball was played into Oli Burke and his deflected effort flew past David De Gea. It was a great victory but was let down by an empty crowd.