Sharp dishes out Norwich payback as United embrace shot at Europe

Striker celebrates in front of rival fans, writes Arindam Rej at Bramall Lane

Billy Sharp, Sheffield United’s captain, has no regrets about the way he celebrated his winning goal in the 1-0 home victory over Norwich City on Saturday. Sharp strode in front of the Norwich fans and stared at them, putting a finger to his lips and bashing the badge on his chest.

These clubs have history and the animosity has lingered. United are in a battle for European qualification, while Norwich are bottom, but Sharp still wanted bragging rights. They completed a homeand-away league double over Norwich this season – for the first time since 1939 – and it felt sweet.

“We are still hurting they pipped us to the [Championship] title,” he said. “But we’ve got a couple over them now.”

He said of his celebration: “I was getting stick from their fans, which happens a lot. But it’s part of football – and I gave a bit back. Our fans are above them, so I can celebrate where I want.”

A journalist asked if the players were joking in the dressing room about qualifying for Europe.

“We don’t joke about it,” Sharp said, looking serious. “We’re in there at the minute, so we might as well give it our best shot to. The lads are embracing it and why shouldn’t we dream?”

Sander Berge, the club’s record signing who arrived in January, was replaced by

John Lundstram in the starting line-up. And Lundstram responded with an outstanding delivery to set up Sharp’s goal.

The home side were also indebted to Dean Henderson, their goalkeeper who is on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

When asked if the players were in Henderson’s ear about staying beyond this season, Sharp replied: “No, we don’t need to be. He wants to play for Man United, obviously. But, if he can’t do that, then he wants to play for Sheffield United.”

Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul knows the game against Southampton on Saturday is a must-win one, with his side six points adrift of safety.

Krul said: “I don’t want to put it as ‘last-chance saloon’, but the home games are the ones we need to win.”