Deadbat
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It was a dramatic evening at Bramall Lane on Friday evening in a pulsating top of the table clash where the Blades carried on their tremendous start to the season. Sunderland were in the ascendancy in the first half and should have led but Michael Cooper made a tremendous penalty save to deny Patrick Roberts. The visitors dominated the ball and chances but gave United a lifeline when Chris Mepham was sent off for bringing down Tyrese Campbell. However, on the stroke of half time Harry Souttar’s stupid pull back saw him pick up his second yellow and it was ten v ten. The second half, saw the Blades awake from their slumber and gradually they started to get on top with Femi Seriki again impressive from the bench. The unlikely hero was another substitute, as Tom Davies pounced to slide in the late winner to spark jubilant scenes at the Kop end.
In a top of the table contest, Wilder brought back his two starting full backs, Harrison Burrows and Alfie Gilchrist. Sunderland had enjoyed a superb start to the season but had struggled for wins in recent weeks but were still unbeaten in ten games and remained right amongst the pacesetters prior to the game. They started the game with an unchanged side after their draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.
The game started with the away side settling better and were moving it around crisply to push the home side back. Roberts cross from the right was not far off an advancing Sunderland attacker before Odour showed quick feet to move the ball on. United had been slow to start but did win an early corner which was taken short and moved across to Hamer but his effort was wild and a long way over.
Rak Sakyi then got past O’Nien and exchanged passes but the wingers finish was well wide. The visitors were playing expansive football though and were not sitting back and youngster Watson was taking the eye with his running with the ball causing Gilchrist several problems. Cooper had to be alert to take the cross from the winger as O’Nien tried to capitalise. Watson then had another good run after being fed by another youngster Rigg as the Black Cats were controlling much of the early running.
Hamer had an effort from range deflected wide but the home side had not really got control of midfield and the game was quite open which was suiting the runners from the away side who were looking to get in and behind. The best chance of the game came on 26 minutes when Hume’s cross fell for Bellingham and his shot was blocked. Watson lashed the rebound wide as Cooper could only look on and hope. The danger was clear and where it was coming from and soon after, the visitors had a penalty. Watson was played in by the intelligent flick from Isidor and Robinson was too late to react and clumsily brought his man down. The penalty award was never in doubt and the Blades skipper was cautioned.
Roberts took the kick and went to Cooper’s left but the keeper guessed right and got a strong hand down to push the ball away. In doing so, he continued his astonishing record at the Lane as he has still not been beaten in around eleven hours of football.
Despite this let off, the Blades continued to struggle as they gave the ball away and were not winning the loose stuff as Sunderland continued to dominate. Youngster Watson had clearly been the games outstanding player and came inside and hit a low shot that hit his own man, Isidor, and deflected wide.
Watson was on the run again after Souttar brought Isidor down, but the advantage was played leading to the winger shooting narrowly wide again. The Blades Aussie centre back was cautioned meaning both centre backs were walking somewhat of a tightrope.
Bellingham danced into the box but his theatrical fall drew fury from the Blades fans as ref Ward waved it away as the referee chose no action either way. United had offered little in an attacking sense and had not been able to force Sunderland back, but suddenly out of nothing they were handing a huge advantage as Campbell was played in by Hamer after the visitors had coughed up possession. Mepham came across but he did not get the ball and was clearly the last man, even if there was some doubt if Campbell was going directly to goal, as he came back on himself. The tackle was wild though and late and this would also have contributed to Ward brandishing the red card.
Hamer had the free kick, right on the edge of the box, but his effort hit the wall and Sunderland ushered the ball away. The game entered stoppage time but the numbers were evented up as Campbell gave away possession too cheaply and Isidor was able to spin away from Souttar. The centre back stupidly grabbed the striker’s shirt and the second yellow seemed inevitable. It was a really poor decision as the foul took place right on half way and immediately negated the advantage the Blades had found themselves with.
Seriki came on for O’Hare at the break with Gilchrist moving inside to centre back. The Blades immediately improved and Seriki’s forceful running, which has been a feature in recent games, saw him drive forward and find Gilchrist whose cross skimmed off a defender and out for a corner. Rak Sakyi was playing more centrally and he had one good run where he ran through three challenges before being taken out. Burrows free kick was wide of the right hand post. United now were much more forceful in their play but Robinson had to do well to hold up Isidor at the other end and got a whack for his troubles. Burrows then was alert to deny the cross coming in.
Souza got away from overplaying as Isidor robbed him but lashed it wide as Sunderland looked to respond after United’s improved start to the half. O’Nien hauled down Seriki as the full back again looked to be positive with another determined run before Rak Sakyi combined with Peck leading to a deflected effort going wide. Ballard and Isidor had to put behind for consecutive corners. United now were in the ascendancy and had a series of chances with 20 minutes to go. Firstly, Souza’s was punched away by Patterson before Seriki’s angled effort was saved by the legs of the keeper.
Sunderland won a corner at the other end and Ballard’s header was cleared away in the 6-yard box as both teams were not sitting back and settling for a draw. Hamer was harshly booked for a tackle on Rigg as the referee Ward continued to frustrate all those around the ground with his overly fussy officiating meaning a game that had seen both games have a good go, was not allowed to flow.
United made changes on 77 minutes with One for Campbell and Davies for Rak Sakyi with Sunderland also making two substitutes of their own – with Mayeda and Alese on for Roberts and Watson.
Peck turned inside and hit a powerful drive but it was always rising and went over the bar as the game entered the final 10 minutes. On 83 minutes, the breakthrough was made and it was a dream return for Tom DAVIES. Peck tried to fashion an opening the ball pinballed around before Davies got a foot in to regain possession and then went down the side before sliding in to power his finish under the body of Patterson.
The celebration showed what it meant to the former Everton player after his long road to recovery from injury as the whole side joined in to mob the midfielder.
Sunderland tried to respond by Alese was squeezed out before Hamer was able to steal possession and run down the wing before hitting a low shot into the side netting. Norrington Davies came on for Burrows as the clock ticked down towards 90 minutes. Wilder was booked for his remonstrations after another strange decision as the game entered four minutes of stoppage time. Mayeda had an effort blocked before Ballard was a long way off target as Sunderland had not really tested Cooper in the second half.
One did well to hold it up and force a corner before the ball was switched to Seriki whose drive shot was deflected wide. Incredibly Davies was booked as he dared to question why two Sunderland men were only 4 or 5 yards from the ball on a corner! However, the Blades kept it in the corner and the final whistle came soon after to spark wild scenes in front of the Kop as Davies was carried shoulder high and thrown into the air by his teammates in celebration of his big moment on his return.
The Blades returned to the top of the table after a gritty, if not totally convincing win, but kept another clean sheet and showed a resilience and fitness level to ensure that they look like they can continue to last the course at the head of the Championship summit.
In a top of the table contest, Wilder brought back his two starting full backs, Harrison Burrows and Alfie Gilchrist. Sunderland had enjoyed a superb start to the season but had struggled for wins in recent weeks but were still unbeaten in ten games and remained right amongst the pacesetters prior to the game. They started the game with an unchanged side after their draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.
The game started with the away side settling better and were moving it around crisply to push the home side back. Roberts cross from the right was not far off an advancing Sunderland attacker before Odour showed quick feet to move the ball on. United had been slow to start but did win an early corner which was taken short and moved across to Hamer but his effort was wild and a long way over.
Rak Sakyi then got past O’Nien and exchanged passes but the wingers finish was well wide. The visitors were playing expansive football though and were not sitting back and youngster Watson was taking the eye with his running with the ball causing Gilchrist several problems. Cooper had to be alert to take the cross from the winger as O’Nien tried to capitalise. Watson then had another good run after being fed by another youngster Rigg as the Black Cats were controlling much of the early running.
Hamer had an effort from range deflected wide but the home side had not really got control of midfield and the game was quite open which was suiting the runners from the away side who were looking to get in and behind. The best chance of the game came on 26 minutes when Hume’s cross fell for Bellingham and his shot was blocked. Watson lashed the rebound wide as Cooper could only look on and hope. The danger was clear and where it was coming from and soon after, the visitors had a penalty. Watson was played in by the intelligent flick from Isidor and Robinson was too late to react and clumsily brought his man down. The penalty award was never in doubt and the Blades skipper was cautioned.
Roberts took the kick and went to Cooper’s left but the keeper guessed right and got a strong hand down to push the ball away. In doing so, he continued his astonishing record at the Lane as he has still not been beaten in around eleven hours of football.
Despite this let off, the Blades continued to struggle as they gave the ball away and were not winning the loose stuff as Sunderland continued to dominate. Youngster Watson had clearly been the games outstanding player and came inside and hit a low shot that hit his own man, Isidor, and deflected wide.
Watson was on the run again after Souttar brought Isidor down, but the advantage was played leading to the winger shooting narrowly wide again. The Blades Aussie centre back was cautioned meaning both centre backs were walking somewhat of a tightrope.
Bellingham danced into the box but his theatrical fall drew fury from the Blades fans as ref Ward waved it away as the referee chose no action either way. United had offered little in an attacking sense and had not been able to force Sunderland back, but suddenly out of nothing they were handing a huge advantage as Campbell was played in by Hamer after the visitors had coughed up possession. Mepham came across but he did not get the ball and was clearly the last man, even if there was some doubt if Campbell was going directly to goal, as he came back on himself. The tackle was wild though and late and this would also have contributed to Ward brandishing the red card.
Hamer had the free kick, right on the edge of the box, but his effort hit the wall and Sunderland ushered the ball away. The game entered stoppage time but the numbers were evented up as Campbell gave away possession too cheaply and Isidor was able to spin away from Souttar. The centre back stupidly grabbed the striker’s shirt and the second yellow seemed inevitable. It was a really poor decision as the foul took place right on half way and immediately negated the advantage the Blades had found themselves with.
Seriki came on for O’Hare at the break with Gilchrist moving inside to centre back. The Blades immediately improved and Seriki’s forceful running, which has been a feature in recent games, saw him drive forward and find Gilchrist whose cross skimmed off a defender and out for a corner. Rak Sakyi was playing more centrally and he had one good run where he ran through three challenges before being taken out. Burrows free kick was wide of the right hand post. United now were much more forceful in their play but Robinson had to do well to hold up Isidor at the other end and got a whack for his troubles. Burrows then was alert to deny the cross coming in.
Souza got away from overplaying as Isidor robbed him but lashed it wide as Sunderland looked to respond after United’s improved start to the half. O’Nien hauled down Seriki as the full back again looked to be positive with another determined run before Rak Sakyi combined with Peck leading to a deflected effort going wide. Ballard and Isidor had to put behind for consecutive corners. United now were in the ascendancy and had a series of chances with 20 minutes to go. Firstly, Souza’s was punched away by Patterson before Seriki’s angled effort was saved by the legs of the keeper.
Sunderland won a corner at the other end and Ballard’s header was cleared away in the 6-yard box as both teams were not sitting back and settling for a draw. Hamer was harshly booked for a tackle on Rigg as the referee Ward continued to frustrate all those around the ground with his overly fussy officiating meaning a game that had seen both games have a good go, was not allowed to flow.
United made changes on 77 minutes with One for Campbell and Davies for Rak Sakyi with Sunderland also making two substitutes of their own – with Mayeda and Alese on for Roberts and Watson.
Peck turned inside and hit a powerful drive but it was always rising and went over the bar as the game entered the final 10 minutes. On 83 minutes, the breakthrough was made and it was a dream return for Tom DAVIES. Peck tried to fashion an opening the ball pinballed around before Davies got a foot in to regain possession and then went down the side before sliding in to power his finish under the body of Patterson.
The celebration showed what it meant to the former Everton player after his long road to recovery from injury as the whole side joined in to mob the midfielder.
Sunderland tried to respond by Alese was squeezed out before Hamer was able to steal possession and run down the wing before hitting a low shot into the side netting. Norrington Davies came on for Burrows as the clock ticked down towards 90 minutes. Wilder was booked for his remonstrations after another strange decision as the game entered four minutes of stoppage time. Mayeda had an effort blocked before Ballard was a long way off target as Sunderland had not really tested Cooper in the second half.
One did well to hold it up and force a corner before the ball was switched to Seriki whose drive shot was deflected wide. Incredibly Davies was booked as he dared to question why two Sunderland men were only 4 or 5 yards from the ball on a corner! However, the Blades kept it in the corner and the final whistle came soon after to spark wild scenes in front of the Kop as Davies was carried shoulder high and thrown into the air by his teammates in celebration of his big moment on his return.
The Blades returned to the top of the table after a gritty, if not totally convincing win, but kept another clean sheet and showed a resilience and fitness level to ensure that they look like they can continue to last the course at the head of the Championship summit.
