It still seems incomprehensible that Sheffield United are a Premier League team, added to the fact that this victory over Crystal Palace has seen the Blades pick up four points from their opening two fixtures, and now lay seventh in the table and level on points with Manchester City.
We’re not deluded to believe that come the end of the season, the Blades will be going toe-to-toe with last season’s Champions, but the fact that both sides have accumulated 4 points only emulates how much this Steel City club has achieved in such a short space of time.
This week, three years ago, United had lost 3-0 at home to Southend United, with three goals in the opening 15 minutes, and lay in the bottom four relegation zone.
Crystal Palace looked lacklustre and a team full of individuals. I wasn’t aware that Andros Townsend was on the field of play until he was substituted in the second half.
Needless to say that this fixture was won on merit, the Eagles simply didn’t roll over but Dean Henderson rarely found himself troubled in the Blades goal. United could have walked away with a two goal victory had David McGoldrick not scuppered his opportunity in the first half. The ball had been squared across goal, and with the net (virtually) at his mercy, he somehow knocked the ball into the sprawling keeper’s arms rather than in the back of the net.
The winner came three minutes after the break. A pass and move formation saw Luke Freeman burst through the Palace defence, his ball across the box was pushed away by the keeper, the chance looked gone with Robinson unable to connect but John Lundstram steamed in to knock the ball home.
LUNNY 🔥🔥🔥#SUFC 🔴pic.twitter.com/t8eGeVVfEp
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 18, 2019
Soccer Football – Premier League – Sheffield United v Crystal Palace – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – August 18, 2019 Crystal Palace’s Vicente Guaita makes a save from Sheffield United’s David McGoldrick REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Soccer Football – Premier League – Sheffield United v Crystal Palace – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – August 18, 2019 Crystal Palace’s Max Meyer in action with Sheffield United’s George Baldock REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Soccer Football – Premier League – Sheffield United v Crystal Palace – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – August 18, 2019 General view as the players walk on to the pitch before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Soccer Football – Premier League – Sheffield United v Crystal Palace – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – August 18, 2019 Sheffield United’s John Lundstram celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith