It’s 18th time lucky for Wilder
SHEFFIELD United thought they were the worst team in the Premier League until Newcastle United turned up at Bramall Lane. It has taken 18 games to find an opponent so subservient and seemingly oblivious to their horrendous start — two points from a possible 51, the lowest in top-flight history — and Chris Wilder’s side took full advantage.
That they only won by one goal — Billy Sharp’s 73rd- minute penalty — was not reflective of their superiority, but with this first victory comes belated hope of pulling off what would rank as the greatest escape.
‘We can’t waste this now,’ said Wilder. ‘We’ve been after this for a long time and took our opportunity. We played with identity and with the handbrake off.’
Wilder should at least look at Steve Bruce’s Newcastle and wonder if that is one team they can finish above, at least on the evidence of this contest.
The visitors were reduced in number just before half-time when Ryan Fraser picked up a second booking in three minutes. But that was no excuse, for they were dreadful with 11 men.
Bruce’s team selection did not smack of the ‘front foot’ football for which he longs — a five-man defence and one up front against the lowest scorers in the country.
It would appear he was terrified of losing and that fear duly spread to his players, who looked as if they were staring down the red-andwhite stripes of Atletico Madrid.
Still, though, the Blades could not score during a first half that was their best of the season with eight attempts on goal and 61 per cent possession. It helped that Newcastle were generous in returning the ball.
The hosts were already in control against 11 men when Fraser, be it through stupidity or frustration, was sent off on the stroke of halftime for needless fouls on John Fleck and David McGoldrick.
It said much that Newcastle’s first shot on target was a Fabian Schar free-kick from his own half on 63 minutes.
But the best they were ever going to emerge with was a goalless draw and their luck expired when a VAR review saw Federico Fernandez penalised for a handball inside the area. He was tussling with Sharp as the striker tried to get away when his hand diverted the ball. Bruce thought it was harsh.
‘You can’t tell me he’s handled the ball deliberately. I’ve seen it back four times,’ he said.
Sharp stepped up and smashed his 100th league goal for his hometown club. Few would have felt more important and he was mobbed by his team- mates, despite Premier League guidance against such celebrations.
Wilder protested: ‘It is an emotional game. How can they not (celebrate)? They are team-mates and I don’t see any way they can just walk back to the halfway line and show no emotion after what they’ve been through.’
There was an injury-time scare for Wilder when Jayden Bogle’s attempted chested pass back to Aaron Ramsdale evaded the keeper and ran inches by the post.
But for Newcastle to have nicked a point would have been robbery.
Bruce is under pressure from supporters after eight games without a win and one goal in 10 hours but says he will ‘never ever walk away from the challenge’.
That decision could be made for him if performances and results like this continue.
SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Ramsdale 7; Basham 6 (Brewster 51min, 6), Egan 7, AMPADU 7.5; Bogle 7, Lundstram 7, Norwood 6.5, Fleck 6.5, Osborn 6.5; McGoldrick 7 (Jagielka 90), Burke 6 (Sharp 59, 7). Subs not used: Foderingham, Mousset, Lowe, Bryan. Scorer: Sharp 73 (pen). Booked: Sharp, McGoldrick. Manager: Chris Wilder 7. NEWCASTLE (5-4-1): Darlow 6; Yedlin 4 (Murphy 85), Fernandez 6 (Carroll 77), Schar 5.5, Clark 6, Dummett 5 (Ritchie 74, 5); S Longstaff 5, Hendrick 5, Hayden 5, Fraser 4; Wilson 5.5. Subs not used: Dubravka, M Longstaff, Joelinton, Gayle, Almiron, Anderson. Booked: Fraser, Darlow, Schar, Hayden. Sent off: Fraser. Manager: Steve Bruce 4. Referee: Andy Madley 6.