Sheffield United snatched all 3 points late on in Wales as Reda Khadra fired home in the final minutes of the game to defeat Swansea City.
Boss Heckingbottom made one enforced change for the clash in Wales, with Basham replacing hamstring victim Lowe in the starting XI. On the bench, Brooks was joined by fellow youngsters Gordon and Jebbison.
United started sharp and registered an early shot on target, but from Berge’s cross, Norrington-Davies saw his diving header comfortably saved by Benda. At the other end, from Allen’s deep corner, Cabango leapt highest but his header lacked the power to trouble Foderingham.
The game was open, United were enjoying more possession than Swansea, but under pressure, McBurnie should’ve done better with his volleyed effort from inside the box. Doyle then had a shot which was collected by Benda.
On 15 minutes, Swansea should have opened the scoring through Piroe, but having seen off the attentions of Egan, the Dutchman couldn’t generate any power into his shot.
The striker was causing United problems though and from a corner he fashioned a chance for Manning, but a combination of Baldock and Basham snuffed out the danger, and then Norwood was needed to clear off the line from another Cabango header.
As halftime approached United finished the stronger of the two teams. Naughton produced an excellent interception from a low Norrington-Davies cross before Wood put his body on the line to deny Ndiaye.
The home side were growing in confidence in the second half, Sorinola fired over at the back post from Manning’s attempted shot at goal, before Piroe fashioned space in the box only to fire wide with his weaker right foot.
On 60 minutes, Norrington-Davies was freed by Doyle, but Berge couldn’t keep his effort down as he advanced at full speed to meet the cross, then Foderingham fired an attempted clearance into the back of Egan, but Ahmedhodžić reacted quickly to make a last-ditch block to deny Piroe from Cooper’s pass.
With 17 minutes remaining, United made a double change as McAtee and Brewster replaced Doyle and McBurnie. The Blades third change saw Khadra introduced as Ndiaye departed the field. On 83 minutes, United’s best chance of the second half fell to Brewster from Khadra’s cross, but despite getting ahead of Manning, the former Liverpool man couldn’t hit the target with his header.
In the final seconds, United deservedly won the game. Basham made a crucial tackle at one end, before Brewster got the better of Naughton and teed up Khadra who kept his composure to fire past Benda and send the travelling fans at that end of the ground into wild celebrations.
Swansea: Benda, Manning, Fulton (Ntcham 64), Cabango, Allen, Grimes, Piroe, Wood, Naughton, Sorinola (Stevens 71), Cooper (Paterson 64)
Unused: Fisher, Darling, Cundle, Okoflex.
Blades: Foderingham, Baldock, Basham, Berge, McBurnie (Brewster 73), Egan, Ahmedhodžić, Norwood, Doyle (McAtee 73), Ndiaye (Khadra 82), Norrington-Davies.
Unused: Amissah, Gordon, Brooks, Jebbison.