LIONS BARE THEIR TEETH TO BLUNT BLADES
Wilder rocked by swift response
STEVE Morison’s dramatic leveller stretched Millwall’s unbeaten run to 17 matches and all but crushed the Blades’ fading play-off hopes.
Three points behind the visitors at kick-off, United knew that only victory would give them a realistic chance of reaching the top six.
And when skipper Leon Clarke headed his 18th of the season with 15 minutes to go, Bramall Lane erupted.
But those cheers died on their lips just seconds later when, from the kick-off, Jake Cooper launched the ball upfield and Morison spanked a sensational volley into the bottom corner.
The Lions then survived a late onslaught and were indebted to a string of magnificent saves from Jordan Archer as their fairytale surge for the Premier League continued apace.
“When you need your big-time players, when you need your leaders to step up at big moments in the season, Steve has done that again and again for Millwall,” said a delighted Neil Harris, who had dropped Morison for Tuesday’s win over Bolton.
“Him and Lee Gregory have been an absolute handful for the last three years. And what you always know is that they can create a chance out of nothing.
“It’s not just the belief to keep going or try that shot. It’s the technique to pull it off. It was a very, very good goal.”
If Morison was the matchwinner, Archer was the real hero. United must have felt like they were facing an octopus as the Millwall keeper produced a string of point-blank saves to keep his side in the game.
A Richard Stearman volley was diverted wide, followed by an instinctive block to thwart George Baldock, steaming in at the far post to meet Lee Evans’ cross.
Evans, who hadn’t scored in 47 games before downing Middlesbrough with two spectacular volleys in midweek, also saw a swirling 30-yarder expertly tipped over by the 24-year-old.
Though Cooper tested Jamal Blackman with a header, hit-andhope Millwall did not look like a side unbeaten since New Year’s Day and couldn’t complain about going behind.
Evans was the architect, pinging a beautiful ball to the back post that was nodded across goal by Jack O’Connell. With Archer stranded, Clarke couldn’t miss from a yard out.
“If we’d held on for five minutes, who knows?” said United manager Chris Wilder. “Maybe we’d have taken the game away from them.”
Instead, Millwall roared back. From kick-off, the ball was played back to Cooper, who slammed it upfield. O’Connell, ball watching, lost the run of Morison, who caught the ball as it dropped over his shoulder and lanced an immaculate volley into the bottom corner.
“It’s a great finish,” admitted Wilder. “But with the greatest of respect – and I’ve said this to Neil – it is one straight ball. It’s just booted as far as he can put his foot through it.
“It’s very, very naive of us not to think that ball is going anywhere but straight down the throats of our centre-halves.
“You have to make sure you deal with it and don’t let the striker in behind you. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened.”
Things could have been even worse for United had Chris Basham been punished for clumsily bundling over Jed Wallace in the box. “It’s an absolute stonewall penalty,” said Harris. “I normally watch things back but I didn’t even bother because I was that convinced.” Even Wilder concurred.
“United are up there in terms of chances created,” added Harris. “You have to respect them and you have to stand up and be strong. Our goalkeeper certainly did that today.”