Lundstram strikes late to give Sheffield United victory over Bournemouth
John Lundstram’s late goal sealed victory against Bournemouth and kept Sheffield United in the hunt for European football.
The substitute struck with six minutes remaining to move the Blades up to fifth in the table and to within two points of Chelsea, who occupy the final Champions League spot.
It looked like the match was destined for a draw after Billy Sharp cancelled out Callum Wilson’s opening goal for the visitors in the first half.
But Chris Wilder remains on course to guide the Blades to a remarkably high finish in their first season back in the Premier League, while Bournemouth remain two points above the relegation zone.
“It was a great 70-minute performance, I wasn’t impressed by the first 20, they dictated the pace of the game and went in front and deservedly so,” said the Sheffield United manager. “But our reaction was good. My players showed the character they possess, they didn’t feel sorry for themselves and created pressure and momentum and the supporters drove us on and lifted the players.
“To turn a losing position into a winning one shows what my group of players are about. We found a way to win. It was a great comeback. The belief the boys have is amazing.”
Wilder gave a special mention to Sharp. United’s captain, who celebrated his 34th birthday last week, has not played as much as he would have liked this season and has had to settle for a substitute’s role.
He scored his first goal since netting against Bournemouth on the opening day of the campaign, and his manager said: “Billy Sharp has not had a lot of game time. He has had to be patient but he’s a fantastic leader in the dressing room.”
Wilder and his team will now fly to Dubai for warm-weather training as they take their winter break before resuming their league campaign at home against Brighton on 22 February.
Asked about his team’s lofty position in the table, Wilder said: “I’ll let everyone else talk about it, I’m just on for the next three points. For a promoted side to get to this stage of the season with 39 points is an outstanding achievement, but I don’t want us to get comfortable. We are in a fabulous position, we are enjoying it and we want more. I’d like it if we had a game next week, but we’ll come back refreshed for the next part of the season.”
The home side were the first to threaten but Bournemouth made the better start. Callum Wilson hooked an effort wide from close range but soon made up for that miss.
United’s club-record signing Sander Berge was at fault, giving possession away to Andrew Surman deep inside his own half. Another raid down the left caused panic in the penalty area and after Harry Wilson’s shot was blocked, Callum Wilson was on hand to fire the rebound into the net.
Wilder’s team composed themselves and went about getting themselves into the game after an uncharacteristically poor start to the match and Bournemouth were finally breached in first-half stoppage time. A corner was kept alive by Enda Stevens, who drilled a low cross back into the six-yard box where John Egan turned the ball goalwards. His shot was blocked but the ball fell nicely for Sharp, who was on hand at the far post to poke it home.
United tried to pick up where they left off at the start of the second half and Sharp forced Aaron Ramsdale into a block at his near post shortly after the restart. The same sort of pressure did not materialise and it took until the 84th minute for United to find a winner, Lundstram beating Ramsdale with a calm, composed finish into the bottom corner.
Defeat ended Bournemouth’s recent revival after two wins and their position was not improved by the fact that they have played a game more than some of their relegation rivals.
“It takes the polish off those results,” said Eddie Howe. “There were a lot of good bits today but not enough to get a result and we needed it away from home. When we get the lead in these types of games we need to defend better. Their first bit of pressure and we conceded.
“I think the way we started the game, you wouldn’t think we are in the position we are in. There’s things to grow from and stuff to learn from but we’re running out of games to keep saying that. It’s a horrible feeling to take into the break but we have to come back after this two-week break and go again.”