WATFORD 0 HEND OF THE FEAR SHOW Wilder: He’s OVER Liverpool clanger
SHEFF UTD 0
CHRIS WILDER praised Dean Henderson after the Sheffield United goalkeeper found instant redemption against Watford.
A week is a long time in politics right now – and the same is true for the Blades’ zeroturned-hero Henderson.
Last weekend a terrible blunder from the keeper – on loan from Manchester United – cost the game against Liverpool.
And Blades boss Wilder (right) was stung by questioning of his man-management after showing the young player some tough love after the gaffe.
In truth this poor game was there for the taking for the Blades against the Hornets – still rock bottom and without a win this season.
But without two superb saves from Henderson – from Danny Welbeck and late on from Craig Dawson – Wilder and his team could have lost it.
Instead the Yorkshiremen are unbeaten in their first four away top-flight games for the first time since 1972.
Wilder said: “Not just me and the coaching g staff, but all our supporters gave Dean a great reception after last week – and he got it again today.
“He’s been en outstanding for this club. b. It stung him a bit last week eek but these things happen pen in football and life, it’s ’s how you react and overcome ome the next hurdle.
“So it is no surprise to me what he did id today, he looked a good od keeper.
We had a couple ouple of situations ons last season son where he came roaring back, and he did that again today.
“In this match my goalkeeper was going to have to make crucial saves, which he has done.
“I was pleased with the whole performance, a bit disappointed with the result, but that shows how far we’ve come.”
Watford wasted a chance to open the scoring on 10 minutes. Roberto Pereyra had escaped down d the right and for a moment it was three on one.
B But he delayed th the cross, and w when it came Andre A Gray scooped s the ball b over. By then t it would have h been offside o anyway.
Minutes after a the break Welbeck W let a 2 ............. Shots on Target ........... 3 4 ............. Shots off Target........... 4 2 ...............Blocked Shots ............ 2 7 .....................Corners................... 7 7 ........................Fouls ..................... 6 2 .....................Offsides .................. 3 0 .................Yellow Cards .............. 2 0 ...................Red Cards ................0 70.1...... Passing Success %.. 82.5 57 .................Duels Won ............. 49 53.8 ....... Duel Success %..... 46.2 16 .....................Tackles ..................14 43.8 ........ Tackles Won %...... 64.3 39.3 ..........Possession %....... 60.7 49.5 ...... Territorial Adv %.... 50.5 358 ............Total Passes ......... 553 19 ...............Total Crosses .......... 30 162 ............... Lost Balls ............. 163 66 ................Recoveries............. 66 31.4 .........1st Half Poss %. ..... 68.6 47.4 ....... 2nd Half Poss %..... 52.6 wonderful chance slip. After a mistake by John Egan on halfway he raced clear but with Gray free he chose to shoot – and Henderson got his angles right for a crucial save.
It was a huge moment – and a massive confidence-booster for the goalkeeper.
And it took another flying stop from Henderson from Dawson in stoppage time to ensure the stalemate.
Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores said: “A clean sheet is a good base to build something.”