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Sheffield United 1-0 Crystal Palace: Blades battle for first win in Premier League return
If you asked one of the 1,578 Sheffield United fans in attendance at London Road in 2015 if they felt Premier League football would return to Bramall Lane anytime soon, you'd have forgiven those with a pessimistic response.
The Blades secured a 3-1 away win over Peterborough on this day in 2015. They would go onto win four of their opening five games of that season; eventually dropping off and finishing in 11th.
Their fifth consecutive season in England's third tier had ended in more misery. Three of those five had provided play-off heartbreak.
Their patience was rewarded though. Just four years later, the United faithful witnessed Premier League football return to their part of South Yorkshire; led by a boyhood Blade in Chris Wilder.
Sheffield United entered with hope, fearlessness and excitement; and left with all three points on offer in a deserved victory.
The significant news an hour before kick-off was the inclusion of Wilfried Zaha in the visitors' starting XI. The forward was dropped to the bench for their 0-0 draw against Everton after failing in his pursuit of a move away before the transfer deadline.
Wilder has kept faith in the large part of his squad who achieved promotion to the top-flight and he named an unchanged team to the one that picked up a point at Bournemouth.
United haven't gone so gung-ho with their approach to over-lapping centre-backs this season but their creativity did cause Palace problems.
Jack O'Connell broke away from his marker at a corner to direct the ball goalward with 20 minutes on the clock; a crowded penalty area ensured it stayed clear of going in.
The chances kept coming as the Blades demonstrated the same level of bravery that had helped them secure a Premier League return less than three months ago.
Callum Robinson has, on early showings, proven himself to be a striker who can cope with the step-up in division. The summer signing from Preston saw a fierce shot fly inches over the bar on the half hour mark.
It wasn't all one-way traffic. Minutes after Robinson had threatened to open the scoring, Luka Milivojevic saw a free-kick in a dangerous position blocked by the wall.
As half-time approached, David McGoldrick failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity.
Having dispossessed their opponents at the edge of their area, John Lundstram played a perfectly-weighted cross into the six-yard box which was shinned into the arms of Vicente Guaita.
It was the chance to convert positive attacking play into a goal for the hosts but McGoldrick was unable to pounce on something that appeared harder to miss.
Two minutes into the second-half, Lundstram ended the 12-year wait for a Premier League goal at Bramall Lane.
The over-lapping centre-back played his part. O'Connell charged down the left and found Freeman, his cross across the area was pushed away by Guaita but Lundstram reacted the quickest to fire into the gaping net from yards out.
It was a deserved lead. The Blades may be more aware of the risks associated with defenders charging forward in the Premier League but they continue to demonstrate an ability to do it at the right time.
Lundstram's goal saw him claim the accolade of scoring in the top-four of England's divisions. A testament to a squad who have battled from the bottom to earn their spots alongside the elite.
Palace battled to try and find a way back into the contest but United remained defiant as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
Andros Townsend was taken off after struggling to make an impact on the game while Zaha was kept quiet by a crowd of red and white shirts when he had possession.
The home side demonstrated their desire to hold onto the slender advantage. Frustrations crept in for Palace; James McCarthy was booked for a clash with George Baldock as the time ticked away.
Christian Benteke and Zaha became passengers. An inability to fire their side back into the contest as the visitors failed to mount meaningful attacks.
Nerves began to show among the 30,197 crowd. The Blades looked comfortable but introduced Phil Jagielka at McGoldrick's expense to sure-up the defence.
They played down the seven minutes of added time though. Standing tall to clear the numerous balls into their box during the dying stages of the game.
The result sees Sheffield United gain four points from their opening two games; a return that you imagine Wilder will be more than satisfied with.
Highlights
Opta stats
- Sheffield United registered their first top-flight win over Crystal Palace since April 1973, ending a run of six top-flight games without a win against the Eagles (W0 D1 L5).
- For a third time in the last four seasons, Crystal Palace have failed to win either of their opening two Premier League games while also failing to score (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2019-20).
- Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Chris Wilder has won 77 league matches as Sheffield United boss – only Pep Guardiola has won more in that time among managers in England’s top-four divisions (88 wins).
- Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram’s 10 league goals have been spread across the top-four divisions in England.
- Crystal Palace have won only one of their last 11 Premier League matches in August (W1 D2 L8), failing to score in eight of those games.
- Sheffield United became the first team since Norwich City in April 2012 to name a fully British and Irish starting XI in consecutive Premier League games.
- Chris Wilder is the first manager to name a fully British/Irish starting XI in his first two Premier League matches since Gary Megson did so in 1995 with Norwich City.
- Phil Jagielka made his first Premier League appearance for Sheffield United since May 13th, 2007, 4,480 days ago - only Wayne Rooney for Everton has had a bigger gap in appearances for a team in Premier League history (4,837 days between May 2004 and August 2017).