It’s Paul or nothing as blunt Blades finally sharpen up
Porteous 73(og)
Porteous nets painful own goal
PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM roared his delight after an own-goal from Ryan Porteous steered Sheffield United’s promotion bandwagon firmly back on track.
Two straight defeats, coupled with Middlesbrough’s recent surge, had raised serious doubts about the Blades’ ability to clinch a top-two finish.
But victory was theirs when Watford defender Porteous inadvertently bundled the ball into his own net in the 73rd minute, after Oli McBurnie headed a corner into the six-yard box.
After surviving five minutes of added time, and an almighty goalmouth scramble right at the death, the Blades’ boss was all smiles.
Heckingbottom felt his men had silenced critics after their recent wobble.
He said: “It was a big win because it stops people talking but it will be irrelevant if we don’t get enough points between now and the end of the season.”
It was not an inspiring affair but United did enough to win and the monumental relief displayed by Heckingbottom, his staff and players at the end said everything.
He added: “One of the things l like about the job I do is the responsibility I feel not just for the club and the fans but the people who I work with and my players.
“You end-up feeling responsible and caring for them, so when I’m at home tonight with my family I think about them as well.”
After a disappointing first half, United upped the tempo after the break and Jayden Bogle headed home only for an offside flag to deny him.
Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann came up with a double save to foil substitutes Tommy Doyle and Ben Osborn before Porteous’ unfortunate blunder.
Watford remain firmly in play-off contention but Hornets boss Slaven Bilic admitted they lacked a cutting edge.
He said: “Our final pass was nowhere near and we didn’t penetrate.”
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Foderingham 6; Ahmedhodzic 7, Egan 7, Robinson 6; Bogle 7, Berge 6, Norwood 6, Fleck 6 (Doyle (61) 7), Lowe 6 (Osborn (61) 6); McBurnie 7 (Sharp (79) 6), Ndiaye 6 (Jebbison (90) 6)
WATFORD: Davis 7; Gaspar 6, Porteous 6, Hoedt 6, Morris 6; Louza 6 (Kone
(58) 6), Choudhury 6; Sarr 6, Pedro 7, Sema 6 (Assombalonga (78) 6), Davis 6 (Araujo (81) 6)
STAR MAN: Anel Ahmedhodzic – The Bosnia international defended strongly and got forward to support the attack. REF: Keith Stroud 6