Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 5,932
- Reaction score
- 31,276
The Blades had another excellent day as United saw off the bottom side Wigan at the Lane and nearest rivals Luton and Middlesborough both dropped points. Burnley are now promoted but United now have a fantastic chance of joining them back in the Premier League after they won their third league game on the bounce. Iliman Ndiaye’s early goal after good work from James McAtee was all they needed to get the crucial three points. Sharp (x2) and Ndiaye missed big chances to extend the lead but Foderingham was only troubled once as the Blades saw out the game rather comfortably to take the deserved victory.
Heckingbottom made changes to his starting line up with Sharp brought in for McBurnie with one eye on the busy fixture schedule but Lowe was ruled out with illness so Bogle came in and Baldock switched to left wing back.
United were turned around to kick towards the Kop but started well on top. A well worked move saw Doyle fire over and Ndiaye then used his quick feet to create an opening that saw Wigan have to make a last-ditch interception. However, it did not take long for the Blades to lead. Only 8 minutes had been played when McAtee ran down the left-hand side and got away from two players and drove across the box and NDIAYE got in front of his man to steer home from close range.
United were in buoyant mood and were going for the jugular and nearly got a second. More good football saw Doyle’s diagonal ball find Baldock who sent the cross in and Sharp turned the ball towards goal but Amos made a superb save from point blank range. Ndiaye and McAtee were both running at the Wigan defence and the latter was denied by a superb tackle from Darikwa before the former continued to trick and tease his opponents with some sublime pieces of skill.
The home side were dominating possession and continued to move it around at a good tempo. Berge was involved in some of the build up but Doyle at the fulcrum was dictating play and allowing those in front to run at the defenders. The Blades should have scored a second after McAtee played in Ndiaye and he ran at the defence, beating one man and sitting the keeper down before his effort was cleared off the line by McClean. It was a fantastic chance to make it two and the striker was clearly disappointed not to finish after his excellent work to set up the chance.
Wigan did have a spell of play and one ball went across the box but Foderingham had been largely unemployed and Tiehi had to halt Ndiaye by illegal means and got a yellow card. United went in with a narrow lead and maybe upset they had not scored more goals.
Bennett came on for Rekik in a change at the start of the second half for the Latics. However, the one-way traffic continued and Sharp nearly scored again as Ahmedhodzic marauded down the right to send a cross over and the veteran headed down and the ball bounced up but the keeper Amos tipped over again. McAtee then curled a shot wide after more good work McAtee before Wigan finally had a spell with two efforts at goal; one blocked and then a cross was headed goalwards from Aasgaard but Foderingham leapt high to tip over.
Sharp and McAtee came off for McBurnie and Norwood on 66 minutes for the home side whilst Naylor and Magennis came on for Tiehi and Fletcher. Soon after Keane replaced Darikwi as Wigan tried to ger more bodies forward.
Egan had a header over at a corner whilst Wigan sub Magennis did likewise at the other end. United continued to control the ball and dominate possession but it still felt nervy with it only being 1-0. Berge drove forward and fired over before Fleck came on for the excellent Doyle. The sub helped keep the ball and then ran into the box and seemed to have his shirt pulled but nothing was given despite the appeals. Fleck was then booked for pulling his man ironically not long after!
Nyambe replaced Aasgaard just before the 90 minutes were up and 3 minutes additional time were added on by referee Davies. Ahmedhodzic was booked for timewasting but United were able to see things out without any scares and celebrated another vital step towards going where they want to at the season end.
Heckingbottom made changes to his starting line up with Sharp brought in for McBurnie with one eye on the busy fixture schedule but Lowe was ruled out with illness so Bogle came in and Baldock switched to left wing back.
United were turned around to kick towards the Kop but started well on top. A well worked move saw Doyle fire over and Ndiaye then used his quick feet to create an opening that saw Wigan have to make a last-ditch interception. However, it did not take long for the Blades to lead. Only 8 minutes had been played when McAtee ran down the left-hand side and got away from two players and drove across the box and NDIAYE got in front of his man to steer home from close range.
United were in buoyant mood and were going for the jugular and nearly got a second. More good football saw Doyle’s diagonal ball find Baldock who sent the cross in and Sharp turned the ball towards goal but Amos made a superb save from point blank range. Ndiaye and McAtee were both running at the Wigan defence and the latter was denied by a superb tackle from Darikwa before the former continued to trick and tease his opponents with some sublime pieces of skill.
The home side were dominating possession and continued to move it around at a good tempo. Berge was involved in some of the build up but Doyle at the fulcrum was dictating play and allowing those in front to run at the defenders. The Blades should have scored a second after McAtee played in Ndiaye and he ran at the defence, beating one man and sitting the keeper down before his effort was cleared off the line by McClean. It was a fantastic chance to make it two and the striker was clearly disappointed not to finish after his excellent work to set up the chance.
Wigan did have a spell of play and one ball went across the box but Foderingham had been largely unemployed and Tiehi had to halt Ndiaye by illegal means and got a yellow card. United went in with a narrow lead and maybe upset they had not scored more goals.
Bennett came on for Rekik in a change at the start of the second half for the Latics. However, the one-way traffic continued and Sharp nearly scored again as Ahmedhodzic marauded down the right to send a cross over and the veteran headed down and the ball bounced up but the keeper Amos tipped over again. McAtee then curled a shot wide after more good work McAtee before Wigan finally had a spell with two efforts at goal; one blocked and then a cross was headed goalwards from Aasgaard but Foderingham leapt high to tip over.
Sharp and McAtee came off for McBurnie and Norwood on 66 minutes for the home side whilst Naylor and Magennis came on for Tiehi and Fletcher. Soon after Keane replaced Darikwi as Wigan tried to ger more bodies forward.
Egan had a header over at a corner whilst Wigan sub Magennis did likewise at the other end. United continued to control the ball and dominate possession but it still felt nervy with it only being 1-0. Berge drove forward and fired over before Fleck came on for the excellent Doyle. The sub helped keep the ball and then ran into the box and seemed to have his shirt pulled but nothing was given despite the appeals. Fleck was then booked for pulling his man ironically not long after!
Nyambe replaced Aasgaard just before the 90 minutes were up and 3 minutes additional time were added on by referee Davies. Ahmedhodzic was booked for timewasting but United were able to see things out without any scares and celebrated another vital step towards going where they want to at the season end.