Sheffield United are back to winning ways after the strike force of Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie netted in a 2-0 victory at the Hawthorns.
This win saw the Blades taste victory for the first time in seven games, and it came against a newly managed West Brom side who now fall to the bottom of the Championship after Saturday’s 3PM kick-off results.
My Player Ratings
Adam Davies 7:
When Davies was called upon, he answered. There were times when West Brom attempted to bombard United’s six-yard box but he stood strong, making high claims when and clearing punches when necessary. He had his palms stung from a distance a couple of times.
Anel Ahmedhodzic 7:
He made sure that there was not even a glimpse of a West Brom comeback from being mounted when he cleared the ball off the line late on. We’ve seen a lot of Ahmedhodzic from an attacking and progressive play point of view, but today we saw his box-defending ability – making multiple clearances and blocks.
John Egan 7:
A solid performance from Egan at the back helped organise the back line. He was the trendsetter today winning seven of his eight duels. Like Ahmedhodzic, he made several clearances and he swept up any threat and intercepted forward passes.
Chris Basham 7:
A much improved Basham today. Wasn’t caught out easily as he has been in previous weeks. Good defensively and an improvement going forward too, driving the Blades on at times and playing two key passes.
George Baldock 7:
I kid you not, George Baldock has an assist. His positive run in behind the defence saw Doyle find him with an audacious but accurate ball over the top, and Baldock played it across first time into a dangerous area where Ndiaye fired it home.
Ben Osborn 6:
He did well today but there were moments when getting in behind him was too easy, he did keep battling, however. In possession, there are still moments where his thought process baffles me.
Oliver Norwood 8:
A proper midfield organiser. He coordinated the team and he was signalling when to press and when to shift over etc, which was needed today. Good in possession as always.
Tommy Doyle 8:
An excellent pre-assist for Tommy Doyle today. His vision of the game is picture-perfect, and he has the passing ability to carve teams open from many angles and distances. Works hard and he loves tackles too.
John Fleck 7:
Fleck had a good performance without showing anything spectacular. He added a nice balance to the team, and he got stuck in all game. His aggression and combative nature were needed at times today.
Iliman Ndiaye 9:
Scored a goal in the first half, and could’ve had another if it wasn’t for a trailing leg that blocked his curling effort which was then sent agonisingly over the bar. Made players look silly all game when he ghosts past them, which was the case for McBurnie’s goal. Will be a tad disappointed that he couldn’t get a brace in the second half when he took the ball around the keeper but the angle was against him.
Oli McBurnie 9:
His finish was class today. Made it look much easier than it was. Made the defender’s job easier too from defensive corners and long throw-ins, getting his head on most of them. He won nine of fourteen aerial duels today.
Subs
Brewster 5 (Fleck, 65)
Sharp 5 (Brewster, 76)
Robinson 5 (Baldock, 76)
Stevens 5 (Basham, 85)