SHEFF UTD 2
2
Blades captain Sharp netted from the spot and then scored from a header to take his stunning tally for the season to 18 league goals.
Sharp is in contract negotiations for extending his stay with the club.
Those talks could be concluded in the coming days –and he showed why he is worth the extra years.
Chris Wilder’s third-placed team remain three points behind secondplaced Norwich and six points behind leaders Leeds. Wilder could be pleased at how his mind games paid off during this intense battle.
The Carrow Road away dressing room is painted pink – but Sheffield United papered over those walls, in white, before this match. Some psychologists argue that the sight of pink can lower testosterone levels. And Blades kit man Carl Hopwood posted a video of the work on social media.
The Blades were certainly up for the challenge, not being fazed by twice falling behind to goals from Onel Hernandez and Teemu Pukki (right).
There was even a verbal spat involving the two clubs’ benches during the first half.
Wilder said: “Billy Sharp led from the front. It was the hardest game we have had this season.
“The decorating in the dressing room was fantastic. Some of them could get a job decorating around Bramall Lane.”
Wilder showed his bravery in throwing both his new loan signings, Gary Madine and Kieran Dowell, into a league starting line-up for the first time.
Both men lasted an hour before bring substituted, having shown some promise with their displays.
Daniel Farke’s men had applied early pressure with a series of corners, then eventually scored with a cutting move.
Pukki slipped the ball forward for Hernandez who slotted the ball in.
Norwich enjoyed the better of the first half but cracked just before the break.
Blades wing-back Enda Stevens burst forward but Emi Buendia then shoved him, leading to a penalty.
Goalkeeper Tim Krul was booked in the build-up to the spot-kick as he tried to put off Sharp. But the striker made no mistake, smashing it in and sparking lively celebrations from the visitors.
Sharp came close to putting Blades in front just after half-time when his closerange header clipped the top of the bar.
But it was Norwich who went back in front when Max Aarons drilled in a low cross and Pukki turned the ball in from eight yards.
Norwich tried to take the sting out of the game but Sharp rose to score again.
Farke said: “We are disappointed, aving been in the lead twice. On the penalty, we were a bit naive. It was a bit soft.”
Henderson 7; Basham 6, Egan 6, O’connell 8; Baldock 7, Norwood 6, Dowell 7 (Duffy 60, 7), Fleck 6, Stevens 7; Sharp 8 (Washington 90), Madine 7 (Mcgoldrick 60, 6). Subs not used: Moore, Coutts, Stearman, Johnson.
Billy Sharp. Kept his cool to score from the spot then smartly headed in another.
REFEREE: James Linington 6. Possession 52% 48% Shots On Target 5 3 Shots Off Target 2 9 Blocked Shots 0 6 Corners 10 3 Fouls Conceded 16 14 Offsides 4 1 Yellow Cards 3 2 Red Cards 0 0