Deadbat
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Sorry for the delay - at a black tie event last night straight after the game and it went on late.....
Finally at the eleventh time of asking, United fans could celebrate that winning feeling after late drama at a rain sodden Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon. The Blades showed real fighting spirit and desire to get the three points and the scenes on full time showed what it meant to everybody inside the ground. The first half performance had been poor with yet another lifeless display with no attacking intent. Wolves should have been in front but United went in level and it was a totally different game in the 2nd half as the home side dominated for long spells. Substitute McAtee made a real difference and it was from his ricochet that Cameron Archer was able to give United a lead with a fantastic long-range effort that cannoned in of the underside of the bar. Wolves did not really threaten a response at all and United continued to fight hard but it was late heartbreak seemingly when Bellegarde curled a shot into the top corner in the 89th minute. United kept going and after having two VAR checks not given for handball, referee Robert Jones pointed to the spot in the 99th minute for a foul by Fabio Silva on George Baldock. After another check, this time it went in the Blades favour and Norwood with essentially the last kick of the game smashed the ball home to send the crowd jubilant.
In a miserable afternoon in terms of the weather, United changed their side again as Baldock and Archer were back in the side with Slimane and McAtee on the bench. It seemed Baldock would set up as the wide right centre back in a more familiar formation after it had been tweaked in recent games. Wolves have had a mixed start to the season but new manager Gary O’Neil has been getting plaudits for how he has been setting them up. Star man Pedro Neto was out injured so former Blade Tommy Doyle started for the all gold for his full league debut.
Wolves settled the better in the tricky conditions but were moving it around crisply and looking the more dangerous. Semedo worked an opening and his effort was not far over. Hwang and Cunha were showing quick feet and positive play when in possession. The imposing Kalajdzic was proving an awkward customer up front and linking with teammates to ensure Wolves remained up the field. In contrast the rather static Brewster and Archer were not able to offer a semblance of threat. Semedo fired over after Wolves came forward at pace.
Baldock’s over zealous play saw him cautioned after two challenges in quick succession. Hwang was proving an issue as he moved around the frontline and Thomas was struggling to deal with the threats coming at him with Cunha’s running down the right a feature of the opening stages. Trusty lost out in a duel and Wolves were away but Robinson got in the interception.
Soon after Cunha had an effort as he came inside that Foderingham had to tip over and it was al Wolves at this stage. Hwang then was able to easily get behind the defence after Jones played the advantage but his cross come shot came at Ait-Nouri too quickly and he made a mess of a really good chance with men over too. Cunha then fed Semedo but the ball was miskicked with another good chance going begging.
United had not offered anything from an attacking sense at all and were struggling to keep any possession yet alone mount any sustained raids on the Wolves defence. Brewster’s afternoon was over when he picked up a knock just before half time and had to hobble off with McAtee coming on. It was another tough break for the striker who had struggled to show any kind of fitness or form in his three-year spell at the Lane.
Wolves had dominated and missed some good opportunities but Foderingham only had one save to make despite their advantage in territory and attacking intent. United had not mustered any kind of opportunity at all.
United came out second half and seemed more determined in their approach. They were playing noticeable higher up the field and Archer was looking livelier with McAtee a good source of support. Archer was able to get his shot away but curled just over before Dawson clumsily brought down McAtee earning a yellow card. McAtee’s effort was curled over.
Bogle was now well forward and Hamer also was working hard to get on the ball and he had an effort over the bar. There was a much more concerted effort from the whole team to get the Blades moving forward and play more positive football. It was a really sustained spell of pressure with several corners won in quick succession. Norwood hit a shot a long way over as he tried to find the top corner. Bellegarde came on for Kalajdzic as Wolves tried to find a response but their second half fadeout was probably somewhat alarming for manager Gary O’Neil. A VAR check for a handball surprised everyone in the crowd but it was quickly waved away before the United corner.
Bogle’s attacking thrust gave United a new dimension they had not seen all season and he was baulked by Doyle seeing him go into the book. The free kick was cleared but the pressure remained on as United finally were controlling a Premier League game for maybe the first time this season? Doyle got a good ovation as he came off for Traore.
On 72 minutes the Blades took the lead. It came from a fortunate deflection as the ball came off McAtee and rebounded forward and with Wolves defensive line almost on half way, ARCHER was able to run on. He had a long way to go and defenders were quickly in pursuit but the striker opted to take the shot early and smashed a beauty in off the bar and down over the line giving
After the goal United continued to win the challenges and were out fighting their opponents. Wolves made another change with Fabio Silva on for Toti but his first contribution was to clumsily elbow Baldock and go a yellow card. United continued to work hard and Wolves were not really threatening at this stage with Lemina’s effort at Foderingham the first shot they had all half and was easy for the keeper.
The game drifted into the final minute and Hamer seemed to be struggling and went down but the game was allowed to play on after Trusty kicked it out and the change was not allowed. The throw in was taken a long way from where it should have been and United were left sleeping as Traore’s cross fell for BELLEGARDE who took a touch and turned and no challenge was incoming. The Frenchman hit a curling effort that took a slight deflection and nestled into the corner.
There was to be 6 minutes of stoppage time played but there were a number of additional stoppages within including more checks for decisions and delays to the ball coming back in play.
Osborn came on for Hamer but Wolves now sensed they could win it and Silva headed wide but was ruled offside but United kept plugging away and had another appeal for a penalty when a shot was ruled that Dawson did not use his hand in an illegal manner after a lengthy check. A final attack was launched and McAtee’s cross was blocked with the referee judging it to go off the Wolves man and a late corner resulted. The ball came over and after it was not cleared it bounced off Archer and then Baldock got his body across and Silva clumsily tried to make an interception. Jones had no doubt and gave the penalty instantly. There was a lengthy check but there was not enough to overturn it.
After the delay where Souza was stood on the spot with the ball and stopping any Wolves player from scuffing the spot, NORWOOD took responsibility and absolutely leathered the ball into the net, once again off the underside of the bar. The skipper slid to his knees in the corner and was quickly joined by his ecstatic teammates amid wild scenes. The game was restarted, now in the 100th minute, but the referee blew for time almost instantly. As Status Quo emanated from the PA for the first time this season, the players saluted the crowd with the relief and delight clear in equal measures. United’s second half turnaround was remarkable and led to the first league win and new hope restored for the weeks to come and a massive moment for manager Paul Heckingbottom whose job was in some question.
Finally at the eleventh time of asking, United fans could celebrate that winning feeling after late drama at a rain sodden Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon. The Blades showed real fighting spirit and desire to get the three points and the scenes on full time showed what it meant to everybody inside the ground. The first half performance had been poor with yet another lifeless display with no attacking intent. Wolves should have been in front but United went in level and it was a totally different game in the 2nd half as the home side dominated for long spells. Substitute McAtee made a real difference and it was from his ricochet that Cameron Archer was able to give United a lead with a fantastic long-range effort that cannoned in of the underside of the bar. Wolves did not really threaten a response at all and United continued to fight hard but it was late heartbreak seemingly when Bellegarde curled a shot into the top corner in the 89th minute. United kept going and after having two VAR checks not given for handball, referee Robert Jones pointed to the spot in the 99th minute for a foul by Fabio Silva on George Baldock. After another check, this time it went in the Blades favour and Norwood with essentially the last kick of the game smashed the ball home to send the crowd jubilant.
In a miserable afternoon in terms of the weather, United changed their side again as Baldock and Archer were back in the side with Slimane and McAtee on the bench. It seemed Baldock would set up as the wide right centre back in a more familiar formation after it had been tweaked in recent games. Wolves have had a mixed start to the season but new manager Gary O’Neil has been getting plaudits for how he has been setting them up. Star man Pedro Neto was out injured so former Blade Tommy Doyle started for the all gold for his full league debut.
Wolves settled the better in the tricky conditions but were moving it around crisply and looking the more dangerous. Semedo worked an opening and his effort was not far over. Hwang and Cunha were showing quick feet and positive play when in possession. The imposing Kalajdzic was proving an awkward customer up front and linking with teammates to ensure Wolves remained up the field. In contrast the rather static Brewster and Archer were not able to offer a semblance of threat. Semedo fired over after Wolves came forward at pace.
Baldock’s over zealous play saw him cautioned after two challenges in quick succession. Hwang was proving an issue as he moved around the frontline and Thomas was struggling to deal with the threats coming at him with Cunha’s running down the right a feature of the opening stages. Trusty lost out in a duel and Wolves were away but Robinson got in the interception.
Soon after Cunha had an effort as he came inside that Foderingham had to tip over and it was al Wolves at this stage. Hwang then was able to easily get behind the defence after Jones played the advantage but his cross come shot came at Ait-Nouri too quickly and he made a mess of a really good chance with men over too. Cunha then fed Semedo but the ball was miskicked with another good chance going begging.
United had not offered anything from an attacking sense at all and were struggling to keep any possession yet alone mount any sustained raids on the Wolves defence. Brewster’s afternoon was over when he picked up a knock just before half time and had to hobble off with McAtee coming on. It was another tough break for the striker who had struggled to show any kind of fitness or form in his three-year spell at the Lane.
Wolves had dominated and missed some good opportunities but Foderingham only had one save to make despite their advantage in territory and attacking intent. United had not mustered any kind of opportunity at all.
United came out second half and seemed more determined in their approach. They were playing noticeable higher up the field and Archer was looking livelier with McAtee a good source of support. Archer was able to get his shot away but curled just over before Dawson clumsily brought down McAtee earning a yellow card. McAtee’s effort was curled over.
Bogle was now well forward and Hamer also was working hard to get on the ball and he had an effort over the bar. There was a much more concerted effort from the whole team to get the Blades moving forward and play more positive football. It was a really sustained spell of pressure with several corners won in quick succession. Norwood hit a shot a long way over as he tried to find the top corner. Bellegarde came on for Kalajdzic as Wolves tried to find a response but their second half fadeout was probably somewhat alarming for manager Gary O’Neil. A VAR check for a handball surprised everyone in the crowd but it was quickly waved away before the United corner.
Bogle’s attacking thrust gave United a new dimension they had not seen all season and he was baulked by Doyle seeing him go into the book. The free kick was cleared but the pressure remained on as United finally were controlling a Premier League game for maybe the first time this season? Doyle got a good ovation as he came off for Traore.
On 72 minutes the Blades took the lead. It came from a fortunate deflection as the ball came off McAtee and rebounded forward and with Wolves defensive line almost on half way, ARCHER was able to run on. He had a long way to go and defenders were quickly in pursuit but the striker opted to take the shot early and smashed a beauty in off the bar and down over the line giving
After the goal United continued to win the challenges and were out fighting their opponents. Wolves made another change with Fabio Silva on for Toti but his first contribution was to clumsily elbow Baldock and go a yellow card. United continued to work hard and Wolves were not really threatening at this stage with Lemina’s effort at Foderingham the first shot they had all half and was easy for the keeper.
The game drifted into the final minute and Hamer seemed to be struggling and went down but the game was allowed to play on after Trusty kicked it out and the change was not allowed. The throw in was taken a long way from where it should have been and United were left sleeping as Traore’s cross fell for BELLEGARDE who took a touch and turned and no challenge was incoming. The Frenchman hit a curling effort that took a slight deflection and nestled into the corner.
There was to be 6 minutes of stoppage time played but there were a number of additional stoppages within including more checks for decisions and delays to the ball coming back in play.
Osborn came on for Hamer but Wolves now sensed they could win it and Silva headed wide but was ruled offside but United kept plugging away and had another appeal for a penalty when a shot was ruled that Dawson did not use his hand in an illegal manner after a lengthy check. A final attack was launched and McAtee’s cross was blocked with the referee judging it to go off the Wolves man and a late corner resulted. The ball came over and after it was not cleared it bounced off Archer and then Baldock got his body across and Silva clumsily tried to make an interception. Jones had no doubt and gave the penalty instantly. There was a lengthy check but there was not enough to overturn it.
After the delay where Souza was stood on the spot with the ball and stopping any Wolves player from scuffing the spot, NORWOOD took responsibility and absolutely leathered the ball into the net, once again off the underside of the bar. The skipper slid to his knees in the corner and was quickly joined by his ecstatic teammates amid wild scenes. The game was restarted, now in the 100th minute, but the referee blew for time almost instantly. As Status Quo emanated from the PA for the first time this season, the players saluted the crowd with the relief and delight clear in equal measures. United’s second half turnaround was remarkable and led to the first league win and new hope restored for the weeks to come and a massive moment for manager Paul Heckingbottom whose job was in some question.