Sheff Utd 1 Brentford 0: Blades earn huge win in Wilder’s second game back to move within 2 points of escaping drop zone

5 months ago 37

JAMES McAtee’s spectacular goal fired Sheffield United to only their second win of the season as the Chris Wilder effect again threatens to take a hold at Bramall Lane.

On-loan from Manchester City, McAtee produced an amazing long-range finish to ensure the Blades’ bravery and aggression paid-off against a Brentford side fortunate not to see Frank Onyeka dismissed for a late challenge on Vini Souza.

Wilder, a lifelong United fan, is regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever managers after twice leading them to promotion during his previous spell in charge. And on this evidence, he could be about to weave his magic once again.

Although the Blades remain at the foot of the Premier League table, they were well worth all three points with substitute Ben Anis Slimane twice spurning the opportunity to extend their lead after the break.

Wilder’s appointment was designed to instil some fight into a side which has lost its way since being promoted.

Inheriting a squad at the bottom of the division and in danger of forgetting what a win felt like, the boyhood United supporter made repairing the relationship between players and fans his number one priority after being unveiled as Paul Heckingbottom’s successor.

A battling performance against Liverpool in midweek went some way towards achieving that aim.

But Wilder is too long in the tooth to think that passion rather than points will keep the Blades at the highest level.

His determination to reignite Bramall Lane’s partisan crowd is a nod to the fact that, following the sale of several key names over the summer, he believes the squad at his disposal is light in key areas.

With a raft of influential figures out through either injury or suspension, Wilder named youngsters Andre Brooks and Will Osula in his starting eleven while three academy graduates featured on the bench.

Bryan Mbeumo’s absence was a huge loss for Frank, with the former Troyes forward out because of a knock. It persuaded United to attack in numbers during the early exchanges.

Overlapping centre-halves were a feature of Wilder’s first spell at the helm, when they finished ninth in the top-flight before his eventual departure two years ago.

It was a tactic he wasted no time unveiling again, with Auston Trusty bombing upfield and seeing a shot deflected behind almost straight from kick-off.

Brooks was at the forefront of United’s best moves as they continued to apply pressure. Brentford’s Onyeka was fortunate to escape a red card for a high and late challenge on Vini Souza, receiving the benefit of the doubt after a long VAR review.

Souza recovered to help Gus Hamer send Osula through with a sweeping pass only for the teenager to drag wide.

Brentford nearly punished the miss when a Neil Maupay attempt flew just past Wes Foderingham’s far post. But moments before the interval, McAtee ensured United’s ambition did not go unrewarded.

A promising move involving Cameron Archer and Brooks appeared to have petered out. But with the Londoners failing to clear the ball, Hamer regained possession and found McAtee lurking on the edge of the area.

Teasing his marker, the England under-21 international engineered himself into position and swept the ball above Mark Flekken and into the far corner of the Brentford goalkeeper’s net.

McAtee’s superb strike was the difference between the sides[/caption]

Sheffield United’s stars celebrate the goal[/caption]

Chris Wilder celebrates in his second game as boss[/caption]

A stadium which has had little to cheer in recent months erupted.

Yoane Wissa tested Foderingham’s handling during the closing stages but United earlier had opportunities to extend their lead with substitute Ben Anis Slimane twice going close.

As the decibel levels rose, Frank’s men were rocking. Yoane Wissa nearly snatched an equaliser as they finally discovered their poise. But United deservedly held on with Archer also causing problems.

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