NORWICH 0
1 Wilder: We’re just 10 games from Europe!
SHEFF UTD
Sharp scored his fourth goal in his last three games against Norwich to keep the Blades fighting for an unlikely Champions League spot.
They are now only two points behind Chelsea, who occupy that fourth and final position.
United are also just one game away from Wembley in the FA Cup and yesterday could even enjoy hearing that neighbours Wednesday had been thumped 5-0 at Brentford.
These really are great times to be a Blades fan, and manager Chris Wilder is.
“The league table is there, we can’t shy away from it,” he said. “We’ve got 10 games to go and we’ve got some fabulous games left at home.
“This was a dangerous, difficult game for us against a side that has been written off, just as we were at the start of the season.
“But we keep rolling forward, and now onto another huge game next week at Newcastle.”
Norwich remain bottom, six points from safety, and they still have not won consecutive league games all season. They could not repeat their FA Cup heroics of Wednesday when they knocked Tottenham out on penalties. It’s now just one goal in their last six away games in the league.
“We’re disappointed as we wanted at least a point,” said manager Daniel Farke. “But performance-wise, after a really tough 120 minutes at Tottenham, we can’t ask for much more.
“All the stats were better and the guys invested everything but the only statistic that counts is goals. It’s all about effectiveness.”
Tim Krul, the Canaries’ hero in that shoot-out with Spurs was in the action here straight away.
Blades skipper Sharp crossed for strike partner Oli Mcburnie and the big Dutchman had to push the header over the bar. The visitors really should have taken the lead themselves only for main man Teemu Pukki to spurn the chance.
The flying Finn has scored 11 times this season and his eyes lit up when John Egan headed it back to him six yards out following a corner – but Pukki slashed it just wide.
Jack O’connell, one of the Blades’ marauding centre-backs, thought he had broken the stalemate but Kenny Mclean got in the way of his goalbound shot to divert it for a corner. But they were not denied for long. John Lundstram delivered a brilliant cross for Sharp, who bulleted his header past Krul for just the third Premier League goal of his fine career. Farke’s response at halfnight time was to send on striker Josip Drmic to join Pukki as they searched for an equaliser.
But Sheffield United have surrendered just four points from winning positions all season and they kept their opponents at bay.
When they were threatened, Dean Henderson showed why he is a contender to be England’s goalkeeper at the Euros.
The on-loan Manchester United player blocked an initial header from Ben Godfrey and then prevented Drmic and Mario Vrancic turning in the rebound from close range.
Henderson made another fine save to block Jamal Lewis’ volley late on as the Blades hung on.
“He’s made some important saves for us. The best ones do,” said his manager Wilder. “And Dean is one of the best.
“He’s developing nicely. He’s got a big 10 games left for us and hopefully a couple of cup games.”