Blades show some steel to lift Wilder

CHRIS WILDER hailed Sheffield United’s point at Bournemouth as a ‘baby step’ after it moved his side off the bottom of the Premier League.

The Blades have been the butt of plenty of jokes over the past week since their 6-0 drubbing at home by Arsenal but Wilder felt his team could hold their heads high after their draw at the Vitality Stadium — despite leading 2-0 and conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.

He said: ‘We talked about how ruthless this division is and there’s been a lot of pain running through the group and the only way you answer that is attitude over ability, attitude over everything.

‘I’d imagine every neutral would say it was a bit smash and grab but I think after Monday night a sympathetic eye will allow us that point that we fought really hard for.’

The Blades were heading for all three points until Turkish striker Enes Unal volleyed in from close range at the far post from Alex Scott’s corner.

It was a day to forget for home striker Dominic Solanke, who missed a penalty and had a second-half goal ruled out for offside.

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola said: ‘I don’t think it’s a good result for us. We wanted the three points. I thought we could complete the comeback because we finished the game much stronger than them.’

Solanke fluffed his lines from the spot on 14 minutes when he lost his footing at the crucial moment.

United found space on the break to take the lead 13 minutes later through Ben Hamer and Jack Robinson forced the ball over the line to make it 2-0 midway through the second half.

But Dango Ouattara headed in unmarked at the near post to begin the comeback and Unal had the final say to deny the visitors.