Billy’s just too Sharp on big day for Blades
SHEFFIELD UNITED returned to the Championship with a bang at Bramall Lane.
Skipper Billy Sharp struck with a 39th-minute header to seal all three points against Brentford.
There were chances at both ends early on as Samir Carruthers and Sharp combined well to allow Blades new boy Enda Stevens to put in a teasing cross for Leon Clarke but his header drifted wide.
Brentford’s in-demand Spanish forward Jota then played a clever one-two with Henrik Dalsgaard but Richard Stearman nicked in just as Jota was pulling the trigger.
Summer signing Stevens then produced a spectacular long-range drive which smacked a post.
The Blades stepped up a gear after that scare and Chris Basham had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Stephen Martin.
Striker Clarke then produced his best and worst work of the afternoon.
He first missed the ball in an attempt on goal before regaining his composure to deliver a looping cross which Sharp headed powerfully past Daniel Bentley.
The Blades had the ball in the net twice in the second half but Clarke and Sharp were both flagged offside.
Lasse Vibe also had an effort ruled out for Brentford after he headed in the rebound from Jota’s curler.
Vibe should have equalised when he was through on goal but Kieron Freeman recovered quickly to take the ball off the Dane.
And keeper Jamal Blackman made sure of a winning start to the campaign when he kept out Neal Maupay’s effort.
Blades manager Chris Wilder said: “The atmosphere was right up there today. The roar that greeted us and the positivity allowed the players to lift their game at times when they were very tired.
“The fans deserved that result today.”
Bees boss Dean Smith said: “It was a disappointing result and probably not what our performance deserved.
“We had a couple of good chances. Billy Sharp’s had one chance and scored but that’s what he does.”