Sheff Utd 2-1 Bournemouth: Blades come from behind to move within two points of Champions League places

Chris Wilder's side continued their remarkable season thanks to goals from evergreen goalscorer Billy Sharp and substitute John Lundstrum - who scored a late winner after Callum Wilson had given Bournemouth an early first half lead.

The game managed to defy Storm Ciara and some dreadful weather conditions across the country even just to take place, and when it did it was Bournemouth who started strongly and could've been further in front had they finished better.

The Blades grew into the game and finished the first half much the stronger, levelling through Sharp and building all the pressure - but the deadlock couldn't be broken until six minutes before time when Lundstrum stroked home the winner.

United's trademark grit and determination was evident along with their unique style of attacking play and defensive solidity, while goalkeeper Dean Henderson continues to impress and lead to suggestions he could replace Jordan Pickford as England's number one for Euro 2020.

The three points took the Blades above Tottenham and into fifth in the Premier League table, just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the final Champions League place and now with a huge chance to secure European football at the end of a remarkable season.

If they can maitain this type of form and battling qualities, they may just cause am almighty upset by pipping the likes of Spurs and Chelsea for that coveted fourth spot in Europe's premier competition.

Eddie Howe will have been delighted with the start his side made, playing with the confidence that comes from winning back-to-back games that saw them climb out of the relegation zone.

The Cherries took a deserved lead after just 13 minutes when Wilson lashed home his second goal in three games in the Premier League, but they missed crucial chances to double their lead as the hosts then grew into the game.

Blades skipper Sharp was in the right place at the right time to fire in a typical poacher's goal in first half injury time - bagging just his second Premier League goal of the season, with his first also coming against Bournemouth on the opening day of the season.

The game could've gone either way in the second half, and home keeper Henderson had to produce a brilliant save to deny Ryan Fraser and further press his England claims.

Lys Mousset almost won it for United when his shot on target was blocked almost on the line by Adam Smith, but the winner did some on 84 minutes when Lundstrum raced into the box and produced a nice control and first-time finish to beat Aaron Ramsdale.

While a jubilant Sheffield United are now looking at catching fourth-placed Chelsea, Bournemouth head off for their winter break nervously looking over their shoulders and knowing that if results go against them they could again be in the bottom three the next time they take to the field.

Sheffield United 2-1 Bournemouth Opta stats

• Sheffield United have won six of their last seven Premier League games against teams starting the day in the bottom half of the league (D1).
• Bournemouth have lost seven of their last eight Premier League away games (W1), losing each of the last four in a row.
• Sheffield United have scored six Premier League goals via substitutes this season – more than any other club; two of those have come against Bournemouth (Billy Sharp in August, John Lundstram today).
• Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has now scored in two of his last three Premier League appearances (two goals), having failed to find the net in 15 consecutive appearances prior to this.
• Both of Billy Sharp’s Premier League goals for Sheffield United have come against Bournemouth, also scoring on the opening day against the Cherries.
• Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson is one of only seven English players to have scored 40 Premier League goals since August 2015, the month he made his debut in the competition.
• There were 16 British players in the starting XI for this match, the most in a Premier League game since February 2019 (Burnley vs Southampton, also 16).
• Since August 2016 when Chris Wilder took charge of the club, Billy Sharp has scored 68 league goals for Sheffield United – 39 more than any other player in this time.

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