Wilder handed perfect gift by sharp Blades
NOTHING hurts more than a derby-day humiliation on your own turf and for Sheffield Wednesday this will leave deep scars on their legions of supporters.
For Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, promoted back to the Championship as League One winners last season, this was as good as it gets.
A surprisingly comfortable victory in front of a crowd of 32,839 prompted Wilder to call it the proudest moment of his career. That felt about right.
In the first Steel City derby since February 2012, the Blades were worthy victors and Wilder took delight in dismantling his club’s enemies in the sunshine.
The boyhood United fan from Stocksbridge turned 50 on Saturday and it was clear how much it all meant to him.
At the final whistle he headed to the Leppings Lane end, where more than 2,000 jubilant Blades supporters were housed in the upper tier.
Wilder thumped the United badge on his jacket and punched the air three times, each one greeted by a huge roar from the travelling contingent.
Leon Clarke scored twice against his old club to take the role of pantomime villain, but centre stage arguably went to Wilder, whose supporters sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.
Wilder’s side rose to fourth after a first win at Hillsborough since 2006 and he beamed: “I don’t think it gets any better. Anyone who supports either club didn’t think this was just about three points or league positions. This was everything – for both clubs.
“To lead my team out in a fantastic atmosphere was special and we capped it off with a wonderful performance.
“To win it pretty comfortably was special and we’ve showed we’re not in the Championship just to make the numbers up.
“I’m not criticising the opposition, but why should they have been bothered about us when we’ve been in League One for the past six years?
“We’ve gone toe to toe with a really good side and come out on top against our fiercest rivals. I’ve not slept a wink for seven days because this meant everything. It’s a proper football city with two great clubs with passionate supporters.”
To emerge victorious in such a frenzied atmosphere takes a special spirit. You have to call on a collective desire.
Wilder, missing injured striker Clayton Donaldson and with goalscoring captain Billy Sharp only fit for the bench, handed promising forward David Brooks only his second league start. It worked a treat as United outplayed their hosts.
Inside the third minute, 20-year-old Brooks embarked on a mazy run which led to a clever free-kick routine that saw John Fleck smash a superb left-footed shot into the net.
As United’s players celebrated, a bottle was hurled towards them by a Wednesday fan while a red flare was lit in the visiting section.
Wilder’s men then popped the ball around with a swagger and it came as no surprise when they grabbed a second. Clarke broke the offside trap to latch on to Enda Stevens’ through ball and calmly swept home left-footed.
Carlos Carvalhal’s side gradually woke up and scored in first-half added time when Gary Hooper neatly fired home from Ross Wallace’s assist. Lucas Joao then produced a fine strike to level matters at 2-2 in the 65th minute.
United were quick to hit back as Mark Duffy twisted and turned past a leaden-footed Owls defence to score.
Clarke, who scored 18 goals in 87 appearances for Wednesday, then pounced on a defensive mistake to claim his second in the 77th minute.
Carvalhal, whose men were booed off, said: “The early goal we conceded made us nervous and we made mistakes that we wouldn’t normally make.
“We never concede four goals but it was a game with high emotion. It’s my responsibility and I want the pressure to be on me, not my players.”