Deadbat
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Chris Wilder got his first victory back as manager as the Blades deservedly beat Brentford at Bramall Lane thanks to James McAtee’s wonder strike. United were full value for their win as they got in front and created the better opportunities of the two sides and defended resolutely and were compact, organised and committed throughout. The difference in the United side, even in a week has been startling and a great deal of credit must go to the incoming management team who has got the side playing with a belief, togetherness and new found confidence. This was by no means a lucky win and showed that with a plan and effort, both individually and collectively, that the Blades can hang with some sides at this level. Despite playing catch up, Wilder will have belief that United can at least try and stay in the hunt to stay in this league despite some incredibly tough games to come with Chelsea, Villa, and City on the road with only a game at home at Luton that looks a potential for points.
Today, Wilder kept faith with the same side from the week despite a quick turnaround but with little options for rotation, it was not a surprise. Norwood and McBurnie were both suspended and Fleck was injured, so on the bench were youngsters One and Peck. Brentford, like the home side, were beset with injuries with key man Mbuemo joining several other key men on the sidelines. Talisman Ivan Toney remained suspended.
The game started in dreadful conditions with torrential rain coupled with wind making it difficult for both sides. United won an early corner but Hamer overhit the delivery. United were looking solid at the back and Archer was a threat on the break. The Blades had begun well and had pockets of decent football in the opening 15 minutes without creating much before the away side started to have more possession and gradually started to control midfield.
Trusty was booked for his foul on Lewis Potter before after the ball ran loose, Onyeka caught Souza leading to a yellow card and a subsequent check for a red. Replays suggested it could have been upgraded such was the danger of the tackle as the Bees man caught the Brazilian on the angle but the original decision stood. The game was scrappy with United looking for McAtee and Hamer to get on the ball but Brentford were attacking well down the right side and Wissa’s pace meant Robinson had to be alert. The game was not helped by atrocious rain lashing down and there was a lack of fluidity from both sides.
Onyeka had the first effort on goal but was comfortable for Foderingham before Osula broke down the right but fired into the side netting. Brentford beat the offside trap down the left and as the ball was squared back, Maupay was poised to strike but took too long and Robinson managed to get back to make the vital block. This was a big moment as the game ticked into three minutes of stoppage time and United were able to get the vital breakthrough inside the first minute.
Archer ran down the left taking defenders away and then moved the ball across and Pinnock failed to get the distance on the clearance and Hamer fed MCATEE. The loanee was well out wide but came inside and from the corner of the box curled an absolute beauty that dipped into the far corner giving Flekken no chance. It was a superb strike and came out of nowhere but showed the City man’s individual talent and confidence.
The second half saw Brentford make an immediate change as Yarmoliuk replaced Onyeka before the game resumed. However, it was the home side who began where they left off. A lovely free kick from Hamer narrowly evaded a number of players with Ahmedhodzic the closest to it, although a free kick was mysteriously given. Osula was booked for a foul on Pinnock but soon after Hamer and Archer linked but the latter could not get his shot away. Osula’s race was ran and Slimane came on with Archer going into a more central role.
The Tunisian was instantly involved with some neat skill down the left and then after Archer broke and put over a superb cross, he hit the legs of Flekken when he probably should have doubled the Blades lead.
Archer then fed Slimane again and his effort, from longer range, made the keeper have to scramble low down to make the save. United were winning the battles in midfield with Souza looking every inch the player the Blades thought they had signed and Hamer and McAtee were working hard in front of him. Brentford had struggled for ideas and Ahemedhodzic got his foot in to deny Wissa who looked to break. Olakigbe and Damsgaard came on for Lewis Potter and Baptiste just past the hour
United continued to look the more likely with Mee’s last ditch tackle denying Archer right in front of goal after Brooks excellent cross and then Archer had another chance that was blocked and could not sort his feet out on the rebound. Lowe replaced Brooks who got a great hand from the home crowd as the belief continued to rise on the terraces. McAtee’s run inside nearly fed Archer again as the clock ticked down.
Brentford had offered little but out of nowhere the ball dropped for Wissa who hit a volley that Foderingham had to spring to his left to clutch and then Robinson had to be alert to sniff out danger down the right hand side. Flekken then beat out an Archer effort before Slimane did well again to rob the Brentford defender and cut inside but ill-advisedly went for goal at the near post and only hit the side netting with players better placed perhaps in the middle. Peck came on for his league debut with McAtee giving away.
Brentford put more men forward but were relying on long throws and high balls rather than any real incisive football that picked United off. Ahmedhodzic blocked Mee from one such ball in the box and then Bogle, Foderingham and Robinson were booked in the closing stages. The latter’s foul, in the 6 minutes of stoppage time, stopped a good break and led to a free kick taken by Flekken deep in the United half but the Blades stood firm. There were more balls to come in the box and one very late free kick with appeals for a penalty for handball some concern for most of the fans inside Bramall Lane but this was checked and waved away before the final whistle came to great joy from the wet, soggy but happy home fans.
Today, Wilder kept faith with the same side from the week despite a quick turnaround but with little options for rotation, it was not a surprise. Norwood and McBurnie were both suspended and Fleck was injured, so on the bench were youngsters One and Peck. Brentford, like the home side, were beset with injuries with key man Mbuemo joining several other key men on the sidelines. Talisman Ivan Toney remained suspended.
The game started in dreadful conditions with torrential rain coupled with wind making it difficult for both sides. United won an early corner but Hamer overhit the delivery. United were looking solid at the back and Archer was a threat on the break. The Blades had begun well and had pockets of decent football in the opening 15 minutes without creating much before the away side started to have more possession and gradually started to control midfield.
Trusty was booked for his foul on Lewis Potter before after the ball ran loose, Onyeka caught Souza leading to a yellow card and a subsequent check for a red. Replays suggested it could have been upgraded such was the danger of the tackle as the Bees man caught the Brazilian on the angle but the original decision stood. The game was scrappy with United looking for McAtee and Hamer to get on the ball but Brentford were attacking well down the right side and Wissa’s pace meant Robinson had to be alert. The game was not helped by atrocious rain lashing down and there was a lack of fluidity from both sides.
Onyeka had the first effort on goal but was comfortable for Foderingham before Osula broke down the right but fired into the side netting. Brentford beat the offside trap down the left and as the ball was squared back, Maupay was poised to strike but took too long and Robinson managed to get back to make the vital block. This was a big moment as the game ticked into three minutes of stoppage time and United were able to get the vital breakthrough inside the first minute.
Archer ran down the left taking defenders away and then moved the ball across and Pinnock failed to get the distance on the clearance and Hamer fed MCATEE. The loanee was well out wide but came inside and from the corner of the box curled an absolute beauty that dipped into the far corner giving Flekken no chance. It was a superb strike and came out of nowhere but showed the City man’s individual talent and confidence.
The second half saw Brentford make an immediate change as Yarmoliuk replaced Onyeka before the game resumed. However, it was the home side who began where they left off. A lovely free kick from Hamer narrowly evaded a number of players with Ahmedhodzic the closest to it, although a free kick was mysteriously given. Osula was booked for a foul on Pinnock but soon after Hamer and Archer linked but the latter could not get his shot away. Osula’s race was ran and Slimane came on with Archer going into a more central role.
The Tunisian was instantly involved with some neat skill down the left and then after Archer broke and put over a superb cross, he hit the legs of Flekken when he probably should have doubled the Blades lead.
Archer then fed Slimane again and his effort, from longer range, made the keeper have to scramble low down to make the save. United were winning the battles in midfield with Souza looking every inch the player the Blades thought they had signed and Hamer and McAtee were working hard in front of him. Brentford had struggled for ideas and Ahemedhodzic got his foot in to deny Wissa who looked to break. Olakigbe and Damsgaard came on for Lewis Potter and Baptiste just past the hour
United continued to look the more likely with Mee’s last ditch tackle denying Archer right in front of goal after Brooks excellent cross and then Archer had another chance that was blocked and could not sort his feet out on the rebound. Lowe replaced Brooks who got a great hand from the home crowd as the belief continued to rise on the terraces. McAtee’s run inside nearly fed Archer again as the clock ticked down.
Brentford had offered little but out of nowhere the ball dropped for Wissa who hit a volley that Foderingham had to spring to his left to clutch and then Robinson had to be alert to sniff out danger down the right hand side. Flekken then beat out an Archer effort before Slimane did well again to rob the Brentford defender and cut inside but ill-advisedly went for goal at the near post and only hit the side netting with players better placed perhaps in the middle. Peck came on for his league debut with McAtee giving away.
Brentford put more men forward but were relying on long throws and high balls rather than any real incisive football that picked United off. Ahmedhodzic blocked Mee from one such ball in the box and then Bogle, Foderingham and Robinson were booked in the closing stages. The latter’s foul, in the 6 minutes of stoppage time, stopped a good break and led to a free kick taken by Flekken deep in the United half but the Blades stood firm. There were more balls to come in the box and one very late free kick with appeals for a penalty for handball some concern for most of the fans inside Bramall Lane but this was checked and waved away before the final whistle came to great joy from the wet, soggy but happy home fans.
