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Rhian Brewster’s second-half goal proved to be the difference as Sheffield United edged a compelling Steel City derby with neighbours Sheffield Wednesday to move back into the Championship’s automatic promotion places.
Chris Wilder’s side dropped out of the top two on Saturday courtesy of Burnley’s win at Swansea but the Blades responded in perfect fashion here against their great rivals. They are now level on points with the leaders Leeds and two points clear of Burnley after Brewster’s decisive strike.
In contrast, Wednesday are now drifting out of the Championship playoff picture, with Danny Röhl’s side six points adrift of the top six. They remain without a derby win since 2012, and have not scored in any of the last five meetings with Sheffield United.
In a bristling atmosphere, it was Wednesday who started the 146th meeting of these two sides much the stronger. They arguably should have had a goal to show for their early dominance too, but Michael Cooper was on hand to deny Michael Smith with a wonderful reflex save from the striker’s header.
And as the half wore on, Sheffield United grew into the contest and began to stifle the hosts. Their best chance of the opening 45 minutes came when Tyrese Campbell narrowly missed a wonderful low cross from Harrison Burrows to ensure it remained scoreless.
Just like in the first half, Wednesday began the better of the two teams after the break. They crafted another wonderful opportunity as Smith’s clever backheel afforded Josh Windass an opportunity on goal, but his effort was blocked well by Burrows.
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However, as the second half approached the midway point, and just when you started to wonder if these two would cancel each other out, Sheffield United went ahead. Campbell did well to forge space in the Wednesday box and while James Beadle got a hand to the cross, he could only palm it into the path of Brewster, who tapped into an empty net.
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Röhl turned to his bench in search of an equaliser, and two of his substitutes almost combined perfectly with two minutes remaining. However, Marvin Johnson’s wonderful low strike was stopped well by Cooper, and Svante Ingelsson could only force the rebound over from five yards out.
And despite a nervy final few moments, Sheffield United held on for not only the local bragging rights, but a crucial three points in their quest for an immediate return to the Premier League.
