In a game that had been building up since he returned to management and even more eagerly anticipated after the original game was called off by Middlesbrough due to ‘covid’ issues, Chris Wilder’s Boro was soundly beaten in his first return to the Lane as a manager of an opponent. The Blades were superb from start to finish as they trampled all over their playoff rivals with high energy, superb desire to win the ball and a constant threat as an attacking force. United flew out of the blocks and led 2-0 at halftime with goals from Berge and Sharp. Jack Robinson’s goal from a set play looked to have sealed it but a rare slip from Wes Foderingham gifted Balogun one back, Gibbs White finished off a superb night for the home side with a brilliant individual goal to cap his own almost unplayable performance.
Heckingbottom made one change with Osborn coming in for Seriki in very left-footed defence. The lights were clicking as the teams came out but it was clear whom the photographers were waiting for as Wilder made his way out and he was introduced to the crowd by Gary Sinclair. The reception from the whole of the ground was fantastic to salute a special period for the Blades where the connection between Wilder and the fans was such a big part of the journey the club went on. The ground was almost full and you sensed it had the feel of a big game with the teams separated by only a point and a place and the hype and noise around the former manager’s return to his boyhood club.
Boro turned United round to kick towards the Kop first probably under instruction from their manager who would know what an advantage it can be in the second half.
Sheffield United 4-1 Middlesbrough
Tuesday, 8th March 2022 – Kick-Off: 7:45 PM
SkyBet Championship
Report by Deadbat
The game started at a frantic pace as Wilder turned the Blades round to but neither side could really get hold of the ball and it spent a fair bit of time in the air! The Blades were certainly flying into tackles and seemed to be picking up more of the loose balls. They settled quicker than Boro who struggled to get going and, in this sense, was quite different to the previous game when Forest had settled far quicker a few days previous. United won a corner after Bola was pressurised by Berge. Then Gibbs White fired over after a Robinson long throw dropped and it was certainly the Blades the aggressor. Berge was also looking to get on the ball and make things happen. However, Jones did get in a dangerous position and went to ground under Norrington Davis’ challenge but the referee decided the contact was not enough and waved play on. Soon after Connolly was on the floor but he quickly got up drawing ironic cheers from the crowd as United went back on the attack.
However, in general play, United was superior and won the ball in most one-to-one duels. Gibbs White’s movement and Sharp’s sheer stubbornness were complemented by Berge’s forceful running and the energy and pressing from Fleck and Norwood
On 20 minutes, United took the lead. The ball was turned down the side and Sharp got in and was able to use a short burst of pace before turning his man and sending over a dangerous cross. Lumley flapped at it and it bounced off the back of Bola and fell perfectly for BERGE to smash the ball home at the Kop end.
It was only two minutes later when the lead was doubled. Norwood was all over the dithering Howson and after robbing him, Gibbs White was on the ball and driving at the Boro defence and United suddenly had a two on one. The Wolves loanee waited perfectly before delivering the pass to SHARP who tapped in at the Kop end. United was in dreamland and Wilder looked down to the turf knowing his former team had seized a firm grip of this vital contest.
Despite the domination, Boro broke in a rare attack and Jones got down the right side and sent over an inviting cross but Sporar spooned his effort badly over from the penalty spot. It was a rare moment for the visitors but a very good chance.
Norwood did waste two decent set play opportunities after Gibbs White was fouled twice after showing his quick feet but then superb football saw United break. After one touch play saw the ball flicked on twice, Sharp found Gibbs White who was in and powering towards goal. His finish was too close to Lumley who saved. McNair made a mess of a clearance soon after in an error-ridden first half for the Boro backline who were being picked off at will. Fleck picked up a knock and had to limp off for Hourihane which was the only negative of the first half although Boro won two late corners before 6 minutes of stoppage time was somehow found despite only a few stoppages!
The second half began with Boro trying to get closer to United and Gibbs White particularly seemed to come in for some rough stuff but then on the touchline, it was Sharp and Peltier clashing and both players were in a headlock almost. Gibbs White came in and got involved and all three players were booked after the melee right in front of Messrs Wilder and Knill. Sharp’s smile on his face showed how up for the fight he was.
The contest continued to be all action and Boro were now committing more men forward but this led to United being dangerous when they broke and Berge surged forward and shot narrowly wide. Hourihane was booked for an innocuous foul on Howson before United were able to get back on the offensive and win a corner after Gibbs White nearly found Sharp. From the delivery to the back stick, Egan headed across and ROBINSON turned home through a body of players with a calm and composed finish. This seemed to be game, set and match and Wilder brought on Balogun and Watmore for Sporar and Bola soon after (changes he had actually been reading before the goal).
Just after the hour mark, Boro who had not threatened at all got a goal out of nothing. A routine back pass saw Foderingham slip as he went to clear and the ball squirted only a few yards away from him and BALOGUN was able to round him and score from a tight angle before any defenders could react. It was an unfortunate moment for the keeper who has been excellent this season and indeed may be the star man in recent weeks.
This gave the visitors some hope and the game became a bit like a basketball game and maybe too open for United’s liking although Gibbs White nearly got in again but not long after Howson had a shot blocked. Great work from Gibbs White again saw him stand up a cross and Norrington Davies header over before Balogun had a shot saved from Foderingham. Connolly then fired wide too after the Blades had for the first time in the game left too much space.
Coburn came on for Peltier as Boro really tried to have a final push with a number of forwards on the pitch but this saw gaps opening up at the other end. A back pass nearly saw the ball go in past Lumley after poor defending led to a corner.
On 79 minutes, the game was decided once for all as Gibbs White was involved yet again and then a ball through saw Osborn take the initiative running from deep and his right-footed cross was flicked sumptuously via an intentional backheel volley into the corner of the net from GIBBS WHITE. The oooooh and ahhhhhhhs from the crowd summed up what a piece of individual magic this was and capped a great night from the Wolves loanee.
Crooks chopped down Sharp as United now looked back in full flow before the Blades skipper came off for McBurnie. The sub’s first contribution was to tackle Gibbs White – to be fair he was the closest anyone had got to him all night! Berge fired well over before Gordon came on for Osborn who had done really well in an unfamiliar position again.
The final moments saw Boro struggle to really create much at all as United’s energy and fitness was of such high levels right to the end. Even in 6 minutes of stoppage time, Norwood, Hourihane and Norrington Davies were snapping into tackles and not giving the visitors a moment. They did have a late chance from a free-kick when Coburn headed wide under pressure but the final whistle went soon after and the jubilant Blades fans gave the side a standing ovation for an outstanding team performance where they were far too good for their former managers’ charges.
Sheffield United: Foderingham, Fleck (Hourihane 38), Berge, Sharp (McBurnie 84), Egan, Norwood, Robinson, B. Davies, Osborn (Gordon 86), Gibbs-White, Norrington-Davies.Unused: A. Davies, Ndiaye, Jebbison, Seriki.
Middlesbrough: Lumley, Fry, Taverner, Sporar (Balogun 59), Peltier (Coburn 75), Howson, McNair, Crooks, Connolly, Bola (Watmore 59), Jones.
Unused: Daniels, Taylor, Bamba, Lea Siliki.