Sheffield United implode with two own goals to hand Luton chaotic triumph
This was madness. Six-pointer season, suddenly upon them after Nottingham Forest’s win at Newcastle, had left both teams picking over leftovers. It was Luton who took the spoils from mayhem that was largely Sheffield United’s doing.
Where Luton’s spirit and determination has been apparent from the opening kicks of the season, it has taken until the second coming of Chris Wilder for the Blades to exhibit similar qualities. In his fifth game since replacing Paul Heckingbottom he ripped up his own gameplan and his team snatched a deserved lead only for composure to desert them. United’s prodigal manager did not conceal his disdain.
Anel Ahmedhodzic’s improvised finish, aimed away from the stack of goalmouth bodies in his way, was calm amid a storm, a priceless rarity to put the Blades 2-1 up. Disaster soon followed as Jack Robinson scored the first of two United own goals after misreading Carlton Morris’s cross. To complete a four-minute disaster class, Morris’s next cross was knocked home by Anis Ben Slimane.
“It was ours and we had control of it and we’ve chucked it,” a clearly furious Wilder said, not holding back. “It’s nowt to do with that,” he said, swiping aside Luton’s never-say-die qualities as reason for the result. “It will look a bit unlucky but it isn’t unlucky.” Of his players he said: “They’ll have seen a different side to me. They’re big boys; they’ll just have to take it.”
Luton were delighted beneficiaries of such mishaps. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions,” Andros Townsend said. “It’s 2-1 down and then you think about what that means to the table. Carlton Morris comes on and we score two goals.”
Rob Edwards, Luton’s manager, said: “A very special way to do it. I can’t credit the players enough to show that character. To be able to find a way, maybe with a bit of luck, but to turn it around the guys deserve credit.”
At least the referee stayed stoic. Following Rebecca Welch’s debut as the first female Premier League referee last weekend, Boxing Day here marked another milestone. Somerset’s Sam Allison, a former firefighter, became the first black referee since Sheffield local Uriah Rennie 15 years previously. He showed authoritative command of a match of muscular challenges and 50/50 balls fully contested.
Alfie Doughty had opened the scoring after Luton largely controlled the first half. Granted space to run at Gustavo Hamer, he skipped onwards and, when both Auston Trusty and Wes Foderingham were slow to react, his angled shot squirmed through the keeper’s legs, a clear error.
The visiting goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski was worked hardest in the first half by a whipped Hamer freekick. Their manager glowering in visible dissatisfaction, the Blades pushed hard for a leveller before half-time, only to see Andre Brooks’s shot deflected behind and Trusty nod the resultant corner narrowly wide.
Luton fight on admirably. Six points won from two matches over Christmas, the results are beginning to piece together for a collective fired by near-tragedy. Ten survivors of the emotional win against Newcastle on Saturday for Luton were starters. Tom Lockyer, recovering at home, received a mention and warm applause in the buildup from the announcer. “I spoke to him yesterday about how good this momentum could be for us,” Morris said. “He’s here in spirit.”
Morris also reserved praise for the officiating, revealing he had informed Allison of a racist remark heard from the stands: “The officials are really good at telling us the protocols.” Edwards confirmed the matter was now with South Yorkshire police.
For Edwards’s team, Ross Barkley and Townsend add experience and poise. In the first half, Barkley strolled through midfield while Townsend interchanged with and encouraged Doughty. And as the Blades pushed on in the second half, Townsend might have put Luton two up on the counter. He would rue his narrow miss.
As soon as the second half began, the Blades played as if recipients of severe Wilder invective. The 4-4-2 was abandoned for 3-5-2, their left flank more tightly locked down. Cameron Archer, scorer of a fine goal at Aston Villa, aimed his layoff at a charging James McAtee, who looked to be tripped by Albert Sambi Lokonga only to dig out the ball for Oli McBurnie to sweep home. The referee, as calls for a penalty rang out, had allowed advantage to fully run.
If that goal featured chaotic scenes, then the three that followed would outstrip it, neither team capable of clearing their lines from penalty boxes strewn with bodies, balls forever bouncing in impossible directions, edginess betrayed in heavy touches and those own goals. And for all the renewed spirit under Wilder, the Blades’ cause is beginning to look both hopeless and hapless.
From their opponents’ loss of control, Luton’s safety is within touching distance. The Hatters host Chelsea next. “This is a special group,” said their manager. It is one with belief, too.