Blades a cut above Wanderers
SECOND-HALF goals from David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp eased promotion-chasing Sheffield United to victory over Bolton.
United, who began the day in third place, three points behind third-placed Norwich City, moved up to second.
Bolton, at the opposite end of the table, have now won just once in their last eight outings.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was pleased with his side’s improved second-half display. He said: “They were dogged opponents with professional pride at stake.
“It was a real slow game in the first half and they would have been delighted with that.
“We played a little too slow and a little too safe for my liking in the first half.
“We just needed to speed things up in the second half.
“It’s a little gentle reminder that we can’t try and coast in games. We’ve got to go full tilt and see if we can blow the opposition away early on. Once we got going and got into a pattern, we played some decent stuff. It looks a comfortable result, but it wasn’t.”
Bolton assistant-manager Steve Parkin said: “I think we were pretty comfortable in the first half and had some morethan reasonable possession.
“It was important that we didn’t let United dominate.
“There was nothing in the game, and we were happy with our first-half performance.
“Goals change games and Billy (Sharp) was half a yard off-side when he was played in, so the goal shouldn’t have stood. It was poor defending for the second goal.
“We just have to keep working with the players. They’re a good set of lads who’re giving everything they’ve got.
“Everybody wrote us off last season and I’m sure they’re writing us off this year.
“It’s a tough league but we have the experience to come through it.”
Bolton boss Phil Parkinson handed a debut to Callum Connolly, who was signed on loan from Everton in the week.
The Blades bench included Scott Hogan, who was signed on loan from Aston Villa.
United were not at their best in the first half and were frustrated by Bolton’s defending.
Mark Duffy tried to find Sharp inside the area, but Jack Hobbs was on hand to clear.
Jack O’Connell chipped the ball into the area but Sharp was unable to bring it under control and keeper Remi Matthews was able to claim.
Enda Stevens then had a drive blocked and John Fleck’s firm shot was deflected wide.
Bolton threatened early in the second half when Luca Cornell swung the ball into the area and Donaldson directed his header on target, but Dean Henderson was able to make a comfortable save.
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Sharp did well down the right, advancing into the area before squaring to McGoldrick who turned the ball into the net.
Sharp added a second goal in the 73rd minute, scoring with a header after meeting Ollie Norwood’s pinpoint free-kick.
Sharp has now scored eight goals in his last eight starts with his total for the season standing at 20.