The Blades recent winning run continued end as they saw off old nemesis Steve Bruce in his first game as West Brom manager. United have now won four games in a row and are only a point off 6th place, albeit in a crowded battle for the playoffs. However, with games in hand and momentum, the Blades will be relishing every game with confidence. The only concern from tonight will be a nasty looking injury to David McGoldrick that further weakens an already depleted forward line. West Brom had started the game well but after Billy Sharp scored against the run of play, there was only one winner. Jake Livermore’s reckless tackle saw his team reduced to ten men and for all the moaning from Bruce and his coaching staff at the officials, he may be needed to direct his anger towards his players who resorted to late tackles and fouls rather than trying to play football. Their direct approach yielded few chances whilst United, who were not maybe at their best, still looked far more dangerous and the only side who looked to play any football. When they passed it around, the Blades went through the Baggies easily and could have had more goals before Sharp again finished a delightful team move to seal the three points.

Manager Heckingbottom started by rotating things around again with Robinson, Baldock, Hourihane and McGoldrick in for Norrington Davies, Davies, Berge and Fleck. Gibbs White was back on the bench for United. West Brom started with a very muscular looking lineup that was clear to see when the two teams flanked each other at the lineups pre-game. Andy Carroll began up front and former Blade Callum Robinson was on the bench. As the flashbulbs went to signal Bruce’s arrival for his latest game for a new side, United knew a win tonight and they would be level on points with West Brom and with games in hand.

West Brom settled the quicker and was well advanced in the Blades half winning an early corner and also the long Furlong throw was put into practice early on. United had been slow to get going and were not picking up the loose stuff or able to keep the ball. However, from their first attack, Basham exchanged passes with McGoldrick before firing his shot off which dipped over the bar. West Brom continued to look the more aggressive at the start of the game and was pressing United back but Reach’s shot was well off target. Grant then also had a chance that was closer after more sloppy play from United had given the ball away. Carroll was putting himself about but often illegally and committed two fouls early leaning into his man with his clumsiness to the fore.

Sheffield United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Wednesday, 9^th February 2022
SkyBet Championship
Report by Deadbat

Diangana has a shot blocked and the crowd were getting frustrated as United continued to cough up possession with Bogle stumbling out of play, Robinson finding a West Brom shirt twice and then Norwood telegraphing a pass. Livermore then had a shot that Foderingham had to field. It had been a really slow start and Bruce will have been pleased to hear the groans from the home crowd. However, after another Carroll foul – United broke out and completely against the run of play scored the opening goal.

McGoldrick played a lovely through ball down the side and Baldock, playing in an unfamiliar left-back position played in an equally clever ball and SHARP was able to turn and hit his shot which took a fortunate deflection off a defender and wrongfooted Johnstone and nestled into the net. United had not deserved this but it was a well-made goal helped by the slice of luck.

West Brom looked to respond and Reach’s ball over the top found Diangana who sprinted away from Baldock who seemed to be the man adjudged to be playing him onside. The forward was in on goal and looked set to level when Baldock made an incredible recovery run and tackle to deny West Brom a chance to level. Fantastic defending from the Blades man although the West Brom player may have taken too long to get his shot away.

The next spell saw United start to win more of the ball and move it about. When they got it down and were more secure with their passing, they were able to pick West Brom off and get through. The visitors were relying increasingly on long throws and flick-ons from Carroll and their promising start had not been built on as the home side started to improve. Ironically despite the contrast in styles, it was a kick from Foderingham that saw Ajayi make a complete mess of the bouncing ball and Sharp turned and was one on one but his close-range effort was too close to Johnstone who made a point-blank save to deny the United skipper a second goal.

The next spell saw a scrappy spell punctuated by a series of niggly fouls, with Carroll committing a few more and Mowatt then booked for a poor challenge on Sharp after an earlier foul on Ndiaye had been unpunished. United thought they had doubled their lead when a lovely ball from Hourihane was poked home by Sharp but the linesman’s flag went up. It looked like a close call but the leading scorer was denied.

Not long after the Baggies were reduced to ten men. Hourihane moved the ball on and the tackle from captain Livermore was reckless, to say the least and with the Blades player caught around the ankle area and the out-of-control nature of the tackle, it was not a surprise to see the red card come out from the referee. Bruce, Agnew and Clemence complained vociferously from the technical area – a trend that would continue all game – but surely their anger should be at their experienced captain for a poor piece of play that completely hindered his teammates that were already behind and now faced 50 minutes with a man fewer.

United then had a really good spell before halftime with McGoldrick heavily involved in the good moments. His play led to a corner and then after it was played to Norwood, his fierce shot was blocked as it arrowed towards goal. The halftime whistle came as the United fans stood to applaud a better second half of the first half after a sloppy and slow start. With a man advantage and the lead, the fans would have been hoping United could go on and take another vital win.

Bruce brought on Molumby for Diangana at the break and West Brom began the 2nd half like they did the first, forcing United back and winning a corner and another long throw. Norwood gave it away and then Basham’s back pass was compounded by Foderingham’s kick out of play. United struggled to get out and Carroll had a shot blocked. United was not helping themselves by going long rather than trying to keep the ball.

As the game approached the hour mark, the home side finally started to settle down and move the ball about. The big, slow centre backs struggled when the ball was on the floor and going from side to side. A better move saw Bogle link with McGoldrick and a corner was won that led to another Norwood shot blocked before Bogle also had an effort that cannoned off a defender. Ndiaye then also tried to pass the ball into the corner but that hit a defender. The improvements from the home side saw Robinson even well advanced to try a shot before Bogle then forced Johnstone into a save but Baldock was flagged for offside as he tried to get in on the rebound.

West Brom struggled to create anything in open play but a free-kick was headed wide by Clarke as the set plays continued to be their main outlet of creativity. However, United still looked the more dangerous side and was more attractive to watch when they did have pockets of play in a relatively quality free game. McGoldrick had maybe been the outstanding player on the field and his lovely ball beat the offside trap, Ndiaye was in but took too long and his effort was pushed round the post from Johnstone. It was a great chance for the young forward and hopefully a moment that United would not regret.

The corner was cleared eventually and West Brom then had a bit of a spell with a Reach shot at Johnstone and another effort from Mowatt blocked with appeals for handball waved away. Bogle had to have treatment after getting hit with the ball and then the referee oddly dropped it on the bounce to help the West Brom player cross the ball in after he was right to give them possession back after the stoppage!

United then came out and started to keep it well again. McGoldrick then went down when he sent a cross over and it seemed a bad injury and had to be helped off with it unclear the nature of his injury. McBurnie came on for him and at this same moment, Ndiaye was replaced by the returning Gibbs White.