GIBBS MAKES BLADES PAY
KIeRAN GIBBS struck late to complete a comeback that sent West Bromwich Albion above Sheffield United in the chase for a Championship promotion place.
The Blades led through David McGoldrick’s 12th-minute strike and looked as though they would blown away Albion in the first period.
But Gareth Barry pegged back United shortly before half-time and Gibbs drilled home the winner at an angle from 10 yards after harvey Barnes’s clever back heel with 14 minutes left to play.
Billy Sharp spurned a late chance to level and spare his side a harsh scoreline based on their earlier display.
Gibbs said: ‘We have come from behind a few times this season and you need to be mentally strong in this league. The second half was brilliant. I just hope we can start games the way we’ve been finishing them.’
Teams a single point apart had been tipped to serve up a treat, with Albion topping the division’s goal charts and the Blades not far behind. And so it proved in a fluid first half shaped by two sides committed to attack.
Both were looking to close up on top two Norwich and Leeds. United boss Chris Wilder has considered it vital to keep his side firmly in the frame going into the January window when Bournemouth’s Jermain Defoe will be among ambitious transfer targets.
however, the fact that United started this game in front of Albion underlines again how far the Bramall Lane manager has stretched limited resources.
Wilder is still in profit from the last window when £7million of signings were wiped out by the £11.5m sale of David Brooks to Bournemouth.
It may only have been in the 12th minute but the opening goal had been coming.Chris Basham broke up a rare Albion foray to spring a fast break that saw Mark Duffy finding McGoldrick running clear. The striker measured his shot across the keeper and in off a post.
McGoldrick had already forced a save from Sam Johnstone, who made up for his own stray clearance.
United continued to dominate, troubled only by a blocked shot from Dwight Gayle. But harvey Barnes worked some magic on the left and Barry smashed in left footed from 12 yards.
Impressive as the finish was, Albion were fortunate to be level after their first-half runaround.
Barry, who scored his first goal at this level, said: ‘It was a critical stage because we were really struggling. We got on top in the second half and we were the better team.’