AND BLAST Ollie the wally hits own net

By Steve Judge

OLIVER ARBLASTER’S first goal in the Premier League was one he did not deserve and will want to instantly forget.

Sheffield United’s rising 19-year-old midfielder was desperately unlucky to see his attempt to intercept Mikel Damsgaard’s 63rd-minute cross fly into the far corner of the net.

The own-goal summed up a miserable season in the top flight for rock-bottom Blades who are now 10 points from safety with six games to play.

Academy starlet Arblaster’s rise to the first team has been one of their few high points.

He did not deserve this low, having played a large part in restricting Brentford to a few efforts from outside the box until the game moved cruelly the hosts’ way.

It handed some muchneeded breathing space to Thomas Frank’s Brentford.

They are now seven points ahead of Luton with a trip to Kenilworth Road next for them.

At the start of the season, few would have the Bees in their list of teams in the relegation mix.

But the only major difference between them and United on the pitch yesterday, was the Bees did not make any mistakes.

They had to wait until injury time and sub Frank Onyeka to add the second, after Damsgaard had a stunning volley harshly ruled out by VAR.

Ivan Toney’s hip injury, which saw him start on the bench for the 3-3 draw at Aston Villa last week had not recovered sufficiently for Frank to start him alongside Bryan Mbeumo for the first time since last May.

The visitors started strongly with Ben Brereton Diaz making and wasting the best chances of the opening half hour.

The on loan Villarreal striker shot tamely at Bees keeper Mark Flekken after racing clear from half way, then blazed over after cutting inside Vitaly Janet on the edge of the box.

The message went out from

Chris Wilder on 35 minutes for his side to see out the half.

Within 60 seconds Anel Ahmedhodzic’s loose pass allowed Mbeumo to play in Neal Maupay who poked his shot past the advancing Ivo Grbic and the left-hand post.

Wilder responded by taking off Yasser Larouci for the more attack-minded James McAtee.

But Damsgaard skipped past McAtee to fire in a low cross that went in off Arblaster.

The Blades pressed but were undone when Onyeka sscored moments after coming on.