The Blades chances of European football took a massive surge in the upward trajectory after a sensational stoppage-time winner against Wolves at a rain-sodden Bramall Lane. Once again centre back John Egan was the hero. This time with a majestic header from a late Ollie Norwood corner. There was no coming back from Wolves in a game they had to win to keep their own Champions League places alive and a huge three points for the home team.
United welcomed back Jack O’Connell to the starting line up and gave a start to Billy Sharp with no place for David McGoldrick in the squad who joined John Fleck on the injury list. John Lundstram was back on the bench.
Wolves started with a powerful front three of Neves, Traore and Jimenez and were looking to get a vital three points in their quest for a Champions League place.
The game began in wet conditions and a few players were skidding around early. Traore was on the ball early but seemed to hurt his shoulder under a challenge from Stevens but was deemed fit to carry on. On 5 minutes Berge showed quick feet and strength but his pass was errant although the subsequent foul on Norwood was ridiculous as the Wolves man slipped and fell into him.
The Blades won the first corner on 8 minutes but carrying on from Sunday a poor delivery was cleared. Wolves started to get on the ball more after it had been a quiet opening from both teams and Jota nearly got Jonny in but Basham covered well. On 15 minutes Egan had to clear after Osborn had given the ball away. Wolves looked dangerous on the ball and the break with Jimenez class apparent and the ball going to Traore at every opportunity. United was ‘tripling up’ on the wide man but this left men over when crosses did come over.
Berge’s lovely ball inside the full-back put Basham in but his pull-back evaded everyone. United had their first chance when O’Connell reminded everyone of his crossing ability as he whipped one over but McBurnie flicked at the keeper. Traore at the other end got down the right past Stevens and was able to get his cross over but it was cleared.
At the drinks break, little had been seen in terms of chances but after the pause for refreshments in the pouring rain – Traore’s deep cross was headed back by Jota but Henderson clutched it high up I the first chance for the visitors.
A lovely break from their goal line showed the pace and skill of Wolves as Jiménez flicked on and they were away. Jota looked set to shoot before O’Connell pulled him down cynically and was rightly booked. Neves took it and it was a beauty but clipped the bar with Henderson well beaten. A few inches lower and it would have been a goal.
Wolves had moved the ball better and United was giving it away too much and was guilty of playing it long with McBurnie and Sharp starved of anything to feet and the latter also caught offside a few times.
The home side had an improved spell and Sharp did well to cross but McBurnie poked well wide before Sharp nearly got in after a bad back pass from Boly but Patricio held him up long enough and the ball never came in after a series of poor crosses.
Wolves speed on the break was evident again as Neves hit a cross that Henderson saved low down before at the other end Baldock was felled but United were given the advantage and Stevens hit a dangerous cross but Coady cleared.
United had 4 or 5 chances to get the ball over but from two Norwood corners and another cross in open play and then both Baldock and Stevens all were guilty of poor final balls again with the near post hit routinely.
The half time whistle came with the game goalless. Wolves had looked the better side in terms of skill, fluency, pace and danger and had the best chance with the free-kick hitting the bar. United had been cautious to the extreme for a home side and was perhaps worried about the pace of Wolves on the counter if they committed too many men forward but the passing was often too long and the Blades had not kept the ball long enough to worry the visitors.
United started the second half better and Sharp got away down the left but his cross was straight at Patricio. Basham then got down the other side but his cross was not far enough from the goalkeeper either. McBurnie had looked gingerly as he came out for the second half and tried to give things a go after picking up a knock but sadly he was struggling and on came Mousset.
Egan pulled Jimenez back for a silly free-kick but the delivery was cleared and Neves fired over. On 53 minutes a good all through saw Sharp in and he fired home but the flag had gone uprightly so. The VAR checks confirmed he was offside.
Basham went down quite theatrically as he got into the box after decent build-up play but there was no contact in a rare moment of a United player going down too easily. United had been much better this half but had to be wary of Wolves on the break.
Stevens put a sensational cross that just evaded the United strikers as the game entered the final 30 minutes; a spell Wolves have done well in all season.
Stevens was booked for pulling down Traore; with the card given after the advantage saw United clear with Basham doing well again.
Jimenez clever play featured again but his cross was straight at Henderson. Egan then cleared but after Sharp got outmuscled, Jota was in but again Basham came across to deny any opportunities. Zivkovic was on for Sharp as United had a fast but raw strike force to end the game as they looked to find gaps in behind a high line. The newcomer did well twice, once to win a free-kick off a clumsy Boly and then put a cross in that Baldock met with Jonny sleeping but headed down and wide. It was the best chance of the second half for either side with neither keeper still making a real save all game.
Traore has run his course and even though United had done their job on him with Dendocker coming on as Wolves went more two up top in a bid to find a late winner but had not threatened and United had shaded the second half. Mousset held off his man but his shot was wayward and miles wide before Baldock and then Stevens both sent over telegraphed crosses.
Good work from Basham saw him sweep up again before United went down the end and had a series of attacks after decent link plays down the right. Berge did well but Baldock’s cross evaded everyone before Mousset and Zivkovic combined to lead to a crossing chance for Stevens but his driven ball hit the hand of Doherty. The free-kick was taken short down the line for Osborn but his cross did not beat the first man and was cleared for a corner as the game was now in three minutes of stoppage time.
The home side was now pressing for the winner and the corner came over was played back but Zivkovic’s shot was blocked and then Osborn as it dropped tried to force it home but it was deflected and Patricio had to scramble behind – it may not have been going in but he could take no chance.
As the game entered the final 30 seconds, this was surely the final chance for either side? Norwood took the corner and hit the mark arrowing the ball into the penalty spot and EGAN rose majestically to power his header into the net giving the keeper no chance. Egan slid on his knees and was joined by his teammates whilst Wilder ran down the line celebrating with any of the few people he could find! Wolves took the kick-off but they could not get the ball into the box and the final whistle came to signal a huge win for the Blades.
Report by deadbat_db
Excellent three points puts United back in the mix. Also an excellent report of the game.