Deadbat
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In their first league game for over three weeks, the Blades managed to take a point from an exciting contest at Bramall Lane with a late, late goal to deny West Ham taking the victory. The first half had seen United well in the game but West Ham had missed arguably the clearest chances before Cornet finished clinically after poor defending. The Blades got back into it thanks to a debut goal from Brereton Diaz who reacted well to score after Osula’s header had been saved. The home team then controlled long periods of the second half but missed opportunities or could not quite make their possession and territory count and got done on the break when Hamer brought down Ings. Ward Prowse’s finish seemed to have settled things but there was incredible drama to conclude the game. Brewster and Coufal both saw red cards before a penalty was given for Areola’s challenge on McBurnie. It seemed a rather fortunate penalty when watched on replay but after Areola had to be substituted due to getting injured in the challenge, McBurnie kept his cool to beat penalty expert Fabianski in the 103rd minute – the latest goal in Premier League history! There was still time for a strong appeal for a penalty at the other end as Bowen was wrestled to the ground by Ahmedhodzic but the decision went in favour of the Bosnian with David Moyes incensed.
Both teams had players missing or deemed not fit enough to start and Wilder sprang a few surprises too with McBurnie and Archer both left on the bench and Osula starting up front supported by new signing Brereton Diaz and McAtee. Ahmedhozic was back to start and captain but there was no place in the squad for George Baldock. West Ham were without some key players but Jarrod Bowen was back to start.
The game began with few real moments of goal mouth action as United tried to get on the ball and move it forward when they had the opportunity. Both teams were guilty of sloppy moments though with the swirling wind not helping. Brooks and Brereton Diaz had linked well down the left-hand side before Souza had a shot straight at Areola. West Ham had their first chance when the ball forward saw Ings get a touch and over Foderingham but it was not on target and United cleared. West Ham then had the best chance of the game as Souza gave the ball away in midfield and it was eventually switched to Bowen but he dragged his shot wide despite being in on goal down the left.
West Ham had created the best two chances but United were matching the visitors and Brooks blazed over after Hamer’s cross fell for him. Brereton Diaz then went through but the ball was played too late and after it was squared Osula’s guilt edged miss that was saved, was academic as the flag finally went up. Brooks continued to shot neat footwork and his nutmeg created space for a cross but Brereton Diaz’s effort lacked power as United were getting on top. Hamer’s free kick hit the wall and Trusty then headed straight at Areola from the set play.
However, despite the decent showing from the Blades, they fell behind on 28 minutes. West Ham were allowed to turn in the middle without any challenge and Coufal in turn played in a cross unopposed. Ings was similarly left in space but his shot hit a defender but fell for CORNET and he drilled the ball home beyond Foderingham. It was well finished but a poor goal to concede especially as United had been steadily starting to take control.
Hamer was booked after Robinson’s poor ball saw him drag Fornals down before Ward Prowse was booked for a trip on Bogle as he looked to break. With just a minute before the break, the Blades deservedly levelled. The ball was cleared but with West Ham defending deep, McAtee clipped a cross over which Trusty headed intelligently towards the back post. Osula headed goalwards and Areola managed to flick the ball away but BRERETON DIAZ managed to react to nick it away from Ward Prowse and smash the ball into the net for a debut goal. United will have been delighted to get back in the game as they had done some good things despite some similarly sloppy moments that allowed the Hammers chances of their own.
At the break Osula had to go off which will have been disappointing as he had been a handful in the first half. McBurnue replaced him. United began the second half on the front foot with McAtee involved in many of the promising attacks. One ball nearly found McBurnie before he overhit another cross soon after. Brooks continued to look neat and incisive and Hamer was more involved as the Blades looked to unpick the lock in the Hammers defence. Hamer’s centre was headed over by Trusty and then good football saw the ball deflect wide after a series of passes set up a half chance. United were the dominant force and had a superb chance to take the lead as the ball forward from McAtee found Brereton Diaz who beat the offside trap and was away. He cut in but opted to use his stronger right foot and pulled his shot badly wide with just the keeper to beat. It was a poor miss in a promising debut from the Villareal loan man. He came off on 67 minutes replaced by Archer before Brooks was cautioned for catching his man as West Ham looked to break.
United had not made Areola work at all despite controlling the half and so many good openings saw the lack of a final ball or execution. West Ham had offered nothing at all but then suddenly Ings had a low shot saved by Foderingham and then Ahmedhodzic was booked for a cynical foul. With 13 minutes to go, sub-Johnson, who had looked lively since entering the field was able to feed Ings and a clumsy challenge from Hamer sent the striker tumbling. It seemed an easy decision and sure enough the point to the spot followed. Hamer survived a second yellow card. WARD PROWSE scored with the minimum of fuss and despite the Blades being the better side, were behind.
Brewster and Norrington Davies came on for Trusty and Brooks but the goal had seemingly killed the Blades who became a bit erratic now with sloppy give aways and poor choices. They were trying to play it out too much and were caught leading to a chance for Bowen but he curled over. Norwood came on Souza but after the ball was played into the right side of the West Ham defence after the sub won a tackle, another Blades substitute Brewster left his feet and took out Emerson who was left writhing in agony. The initial award was just a yellow despite the Hammers players reacting and Coufal was booked for his protestations. VAR asked Michael Salisbury to take another look and after he went to look at the screen near the John Street Stand, then the inevitable upgrade to a red card came. In truth it was the correct decision and a ridiculous tackle continuing Brewster’s nightmare spell at the Lane.
The game ticked into 6 minutes of stoppage time and Coufal took out McAtee leading to a free kick for the Blades but before it could be taken, the visitors were now reduced to ten men as Coufal got his second yellow card and had to take the long walk. The free kick was cleared but McAtee sent it back in and McBurnie went down under the challenge of Areola. Replays showed he did not get the ball but it was debatable how much he got of the striker too but VAR did not see enough to overturn the decision. Areola had got hurt in making the challenge and after a long delay he had to go off replaced by Fabianski who has an excellent record of saving spot kicks. McAtee had the ball on the spot for a long period but it became clear this was a ploy and was given to MCBURNIE who after the long delay cooly converted down to Fabianski’s right hand side. The kick went in on 103 minutes!
There was still time for the Hammers to create another chance as a cross came over and both Ahmedhozic and Bowen went to ground but the referee gave the decision to the Blades. Once again replays showed United were fortunate to get the right side of this call as the Bosnian clearly had hold of the striker pulling him down. David Moyes was apoplectic once again that the decision went against his team. The final whistle went not long after and this pulsating and crazy game ended with honours even.
United – A strange one to assess really in that we did lots of good things in the game and were far more competitive than many games and had much more of the ball than we have in maybe any other game (except Brentford). It was a scrappy game with some really poor bits of play from both teams but we probably shaded the game probably over the whole contest but maybe they had the better chances if not the most chances. They led twice and the decisions went for us so on reflection a draw is about right.
The game began evenly with both teams guilty of squandering possession too easily but we had decent moments too. They had a few clear chances though with Ings and Bowen both being in on goal and missing the target whilst we had efforts from Brooks, Trusty and Souza and the latter two at least forced saves even if straight at him. It seemed we were starting to cause them problems with Brooks showing good moments and Osula a handful but then the goal we conceded saw no pressure on the ball on multiple occasions. The finish was decent but we should have closed them down and had a few chances to stop it even getting across to Corner. We did respond quite well and kept going and Brereton Diaz was on the spot to convert after a more ‘old school’ long cross and header found the chance for Osula. The latter had done well but obviously picked up a knock which was a shame as does seem to be getting better each game in terms of learning the game.
We had our best spell either side of the half time whistle and felt for 25 minutes second half we actually were the aggressor and had so many good chances to get good balls in or find an opening but despite us controlling things, we did not test the keeper enough (at all?) and outside of the big BBD chance, then not sure we had many clear chances? That was the big issue as we did lots of good things and got into some excellent areas with McAtee key to this. I felt if we kept plugging away we would get chances at the Kop End as the time went on but then they did have a few chances after doing nothing and we started giving away free kicks and then of course the stupid tackle on the penalty. Hamer was lucky not to get a second yellow -the first in a number of late decisions that I think went our way.
After the goal, we seemed to lose our heads a bit and were too slow to play it forward (a trait you could level at United all game as we clearly lack players comfortable in goal/or at the back to be able to play this way) and we started giving it away. They had chances to seal it with Bowen hitting one off target and another being blocked right in front of goal. We chucked men on but we did not look like getting back after being the better side for much of the second half and West Ham, despite being poor much of the second half now seemed like the team with more energy. The Brewster red card just seemed to put a seal on another desperately disappointing afternoon.
However, ill-discipline from Soucek saw him go off too and we get the late penalty. At the time I thought it was a foul and he had punched McBurnie, taking him out but replays showed that the ball went over the top of them and they both kind of come together. There is an argument the contact is more from the keeper but McBurnie make contact too – I was surprised he gave it and even though they tend to not overturn things, I thought VAR may have got involved. The delays and the keeper going off meant I was probably not confident we would score as Fabianski is decent on penalties but credit to McBurnie. After this we get lucky again with a fairly clear penalty for Anel grabbing Bowen but somehow VAR do not check this and we survive. This certainly seemed more of a penalty than ours and can understand Moyes being annoyed. For the second of the last three visits to the Lane, West Ham come out the wrong side of some controversial decisions.
Strange emotions as pleased to get the late point but of course in reality it does not really help us and on reflection (a bit like the Villa one where we got pegged back late) we will see it as a real opportunity missed. I thought we played ok and did well for long spells but poor decisions in both our final third and theirs meant we did not create enough clear chances and conceded too many. So, despite us having more possession (58%) and shots (21 to 16 – albeit only 6 to 5 on target) we did not really make some good stuff count. I have to admit I thought West Ham were quite poor and whilst they showed some decent moments and obviously led to two goals – the finish and the build up the penalty; I also thought they were nowhere near their best – some of that maybe down to our good play too – we maybe missed a really good chance to win the game despite the late drama. I thought United were very competitive though and we have not said that. Sure, there were some poor bits of play and giveaways/poor touches but West Ham were as guilty of that as us. This made it an exciting game – not due to lots of quality but due to it being full of incidents and a fair amount of goalmouth action too. It would have been devastating to lose – and the final nail in the coffin. We still are almost certainly down but at least we are getting the odd result here and there and not getting hammered. We should beat Derby’s record now. It is so hard though as now we go to a struggling Palace but they are due a result and a reaction and then we have really hard home games against Villa and Brighton. You just do not get many chances to get wins and thought second half we had just that opportunity. Maybe his is harsh and with West Ham being 6th, should applaud our efforts but I did feel they were a long way from their best and we maybe could have exploited that?
In the end though it is nice to come away with a late goal and an exciting finish where there are things to talk about. That is I suppose what football is about? Granted we are still rock bottom and the season does seem to be petering out but like last time when Hecky came in, we at least are competing in some games and not just rolling over. There were some real positives in that BBD did ok, Osula continued his improvements and Bogle played well too again – showing much better form under Wilder. Brooks was also excellent again and for me United’s best player and is slowly getting better too. With him, Osula and of course Arblaster to come in, we have three really promising young pieces to build around in the Championship. It was interesting today we did not have too many of the old guard (Wilder’s old guard?) in no Fleck, Norwood, McBurnie, Osborn, Egan, Baldock (granted last two injured) starting today. Maybe he realises he has to plan a bit for next season and there is a good chance many of those mentioned may not be here.
We have the cup game next week and he will probably change things up again but Brighton have a very deep squad – maybe deeper than West Ham and will be tough to get through but there is no pressure so they need to just have a go really. The key is to keep remaining competitive in games and at least we have seen some life so big credit to Wilder for that.
Both teams had players missing or deemed not fit enough to start and Wilder sprang a few surprises too with McBurnie and Archer both left on the bench and Osula starting up front supported by new signing Brereton Diaz and McAtee. Ahmedhozic was back to start and captain but there was no place in the squad for George Baldock. West Ham were without some key players but Jarrod Bowen was back to start.
The game began with few real moments of goal mouth action as United tried to get on the ball and move it forward when they had the opportunity. Both teams were guilty of sloppy moments though with the swirling wind not helping. Brooks and Brereton Diaz had linked well down the left-hand side before Souza had a shot straight at Areola. West Ham had their first chance when the ball forward saw Ings get a touch and over Foderingham but it was not on target and United cleared. West Ham then had the best chance of the game as Souza gave the ball away in midfield and it was eventually switched to Bowen but he dragged his shot wide despite being in on goal down the left.
West Ham had created the best two chances but United were matching the visitors and Brooks blazed over after Hamer’s cross fell for him. Brereton Diaz then went through but the ball was played too late and after it was squared Osula’s guilt edged miss that was saved, was academic as the flag finally went up. Brooks continued to shot neat footwork and his nutmeg created space for a cross but Brereton Diaz’s effort lacked power as United were getting on top. Hamer’s free kick hit the wall and Trusty then headed straight at Areola from the set play.
However, despite the decent showing from the Blades, they fell behind on 28 minutes. West Ham were allowed to turn in the middle without any challenge and Coufal in turn played in a cross unopposed. Ings was similarly left in space but his shot hit a defender but fell for CORNET and he drilled the ball home beyond Foderingham. It was well finished but a poor goal to concede especially as United had been steadily starting to take control.
Hamer was booked after Robinson’s poor ball saw him drag Fornals down before Ward Prowse was booked for a trip on Bogle as he looked to break. With just a minute before the break, the Blades deservedly levelled. The ball was cleared but with West Ham defending deep, McAtee clipped a cross over which Trusty headed intelligently towards the back post. Osula headed goalwards and Areola managed to flick the ball away but BRERETON DIAZ managed to react to nick it away from Ward Prowse and smash the ball into the net for a debut goal. United will have been delighted to get back in the game as they had done some good things despite some similarly sloppy moments that allowed the Hammers chances of their own.
At the break Osula had to go off which will have been disappointing as he had been a handful in the first half. McBurnue replaced him. United began the second half on the front foot with McAtee involved in many of the promising attacks. One ball nearly found McBurnie before he overhit another cross soon after. Brooks continued to look neat and incisive and Hamer was more involved as the Blades looked to unpick the lock in the Hammers defence. Hamer’s centre was headed over by Trusty and then good football saw the ball deflect wide after a series of passes set up a half chance. United were the dominant force and had a superb chance to take the lead as the ball forward from McAtee found Brereton Diaz who beat the offside trap and was away. He cut in but opted to use his stronger right foot and pulled his shot badly wide with just the keeper to beat. It was a poor miss in a promising debut from the Villareal loan man. He came off on 67 minutes replaced by Archer before Brooks was cautioned for catching his man as West Ham looked to break.
United had not made Areola work at all despite controlling the half and so many good openings saw the lack of a final ball or execution. West Ham had offered nothing at all but then suddenly Ings had a low shot saved by Foderingham and then Ahmedhodzic was booked for a cynical foul. With 13 minutes to go, sub-Johnson, who had looked lively since entering the field was able to feed Ings and a clumsy challenge from Hamer sent the striker tumbling. It seemed an easy decision and sure enough the point to the spot followed. Hamer survived a second yellow card. WARD PROWSE scored with the minimum of fuss and despite the Blades being the better side, were behind.
Brewster and Norrington Davies came on for Trusty and Brooks but the goal had seemingly killed the Blades who became a bit erratic now with sloppy give aways and poor choices. They were trying to play it out too much and were caught leading to a chance for Bowen but he curled over. Norwood came on Souza but after the ball was played into the right side of the West Ham defence after the sub won a tackle, another Blades substitute Brewster left his feet and took out Emerson who was left writhing in agony. The initial award was just a yellow despite the Hammers players reacting and Coufal was booked for his protestations. VAR asked Michael Salisbury to take another look and after he went to look at the screen near the John Street Stand, then the inevitable upgrade to a red card came. In truth it was the correct decision and a ridiculous tackle continuing Brewster’s nightmare spell at the Lane.
The game ticked into 6 minutes of stoppage time and Coufal took out McAtee leading to a free kick for the Blades but before it could be taken, the visitors were now reduced to ten men as Coufal got his second yellow card and had to take the long walk. The free kick was cleared but McAtee sent it back in and McBurnie went down under the challenge of Areola. Replays showed he did not get the ball but it was debatable how much he got of the striker too but VAR did not see enough to overturn the decision. Areola had got hurt in making the challenge and after a long delay he had to go off replaced by Fabianski who has an excellent record of saving spot kicks. McAtee had the ball on the spot for a long period but it became clear this was a ploy and was given to MCBURNIE who after the long delay cooly converted down to Fabianski’s right hand side. The kick went in on 103 minutes!
There was still time for the Hammers to create another chance as a cross came over and both Ahmedhozic and Bowen went to ground but the referee gave the decision to the Blades. Once again replays showed United were fortunate to get the right side of this call as the Bosnian clearly had hold of the striker pulling him down. David Moyes was apoplectic once again that the decision went against his team. The final whistle went not long after and this pulsating and crazy game ended with honours even.
United – A strange one to assess really in that we did lots of good things in the game and were far more competitive than many games and had much more of the ball than we have in maybe any other game (except Brentford). It was a scrappy game with some really poor bits of play from both teams but we probably shaded the game probably over the whole contest but maybe they had the better chances if not the most chances. They led twice and the decisions went for us so on reflection a draw is about right.
The game began evenly with both teams guilty of squandering possession too easily but we had decent moments too. They had a few clear chances though with Ings and Bowen both being in on goal and missing the target whilst we had efforts from Brooks, Trusty and Souza and the latter two at least forced saves even if straight at him. It seemed we were starting to cause them problems with Brooks showing good moments and Osula a handful but then the goal we conceded saw no pressure on the ball on multiple occasions. The finish was decent but we should have closed them down and had a few chances to stop it even getting across to Corner. We did respond quite well and kept going and Brereton Diaz was on the spot to convert after a more ‘old school’ long cross and header found the chance for Osula. The latter had done well but obviously picked up a knock which was a shame as does seem to be getting better each game in terms of learning the game.
We had our best spell either side of the half time whistle and felt for 25 minutes second half we actually were the aggressor and had so many good chances to get good balls in or find an opening but despite us controlling things, we did not test the keeper enough (at all?) and outside of the big BBD chance, then not sure we had many clear chances? That was the big issue as we did lots of good things and got into some excellent areas with McAtee key to this. I felt if we kept plugging away we would get chances at the Kop End as the time went on but then they did have a few chances after doing nothing and we started giving away free kicks and then of course the stupid tackle on the penalty. Hamer was lucky not to get a second yellow -the first in a number of late decisions that I think went our way.
After the goal, we seemed to lose our heads a bit and were too slow to play it forward (a trait you could level at United all game as we clearly lack players comfortable in goal/or at the back to be able to play this way) and we started giving it away. They had chances to seal it with Bowen hitting one off target and another being blocked right in front of goal. We chucked men on but we did not look like getting back after being the better side for much of the second half and West Ham, despite being poor much of the second half now seemed like the team with more energy. The Brewster red card just seemed to put a seal on another desperately disappointing afternoon.
However, ill-discipline from Soucek saw him go off too and we get the late penalty. At the time I thought it was a foul and he had punched McBurnie, taking him out but replays showed that the ball went over the top of them and they both kind of come together. There is an argument the contact is more from the keeper but McBurnie make contact too – I was surprised he gave it and even though they tend to not overturn things, I thought VAR may have got involved. The delays and the keeper going off meant I was probably not confident we would score as Fabianski is decent on penalties but credit to McBurnie. After this we get lucky again with a fairly clear penalty for Anel grabbing Bowen but somehow VAR do not check this and we survive. This certainly seemed more of a penalty than ours and can understand Moyes being annoyed. For the second of the last three visits to the Lane, West Ham come out the wrong side of some controversial decisions.
Strange emotions as pleased to get the late point but of course in reality it does not really help us and on reflection (a bit like the Villa one where we got pegged back late) we will see it as a real opportunity missed. I thought we played ok and did well for long spells but poor decisions in both our final third and theirs meant we did not create enough clear chances and conceded too many. So, despite us having more possession (58%) and shots (21 to 16 – albeit only 6 to 5 on target) we did not really make some good stuff count. I have to admit I thought West Ham were quite poor and whilst they showed some decent moments and obviously led to two goals – the finish and the build up the penalty; I also thought they were nowhere near their best – some of that maybe down to our good play too – we maybe missed a really good chance to win the game despite the late drama. I thought United were very competitive though and we have not said that. Sure, there were some poor bits of play and giveaways/poor touches but West Ham were as guilty of that as us. This made it an exciting game – not due to lots of quality but due to it being full of incidents and a fair amount of goalmouth action too. It would have been devastating to lose – and the final nail in the coffin. We still are almost certainly down but at least we are getting the odd result here and there and not getting hammered. We should beat Derby’s record now. It is so hard though as now we go to a struggling Palace but they are due a result and a reaction and then we have really hard home games against Villa and Brighton. You just do not get many chances to get wins and thought second half we had just that opportunity. Maybe his is harsh and with West Ham being 6th, should applaud our efforts but I did feel they were a long way from their best and we maybe could have exploited that?
In the end though it is nice to come away with a late goal and an exciting finish where there are things to talk about. That is I suppose what football is about? Granted we are still rock bottom and the season does seem to be petering out but like last time when Hecky came in, we at least are competing in some games and not just rolling over. There were some real positives in that BBD did ok, Osula continued his improvements and Bogle played well too again – showing much better form under Wilder. Brooks was also excellent again and for me United’s best player and is slowly getting better too. With him, Osula and of course Arblaster to come in, we have three really promising young pieces to build around in the Championship. It was interesting today we did not have too many of the old guard (Wilder’s old guard?) in no Fleck, Norwood, McBurnie, Osborn, Egan, Baldock (granted last two injured) starting today. Maybe he realises he has to plan a bit for next season and there is a good chance many of those mentioned may not be here.
We have the cup game next week and he will probably change things up again but Brighton have a very deep squad – maybe deeper than West Ham and will be tough to get through but there is no pressure so they need to just have a go really. The key is to keep remaining competitive in games and at least we have seen some life so big credit to Wilder for that.