Sheffield United beat fellow promotion contenders West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, courtesy of a first-half goal from Kieran Dowell.
Dowell’s header in the 14th minute settled the contest at The Hawthorns and helped the Blades reclaim the second spot on the Championship table.
Sheffield United had made three changes to the side that battered Reading last weekend, with skipper Billy Sharp, David McGoldrick and Dowell restored to the starting line-up. Barring a speculative Jay Rodriguez effort from long-range, the United defence gave very space for the West Brom attackers to enjoy in the first half.
Although West Brom had the bulk of the possession in the opening minutes of the game, it was Sheffield United who took the lead. A break on the 14 minutes down the right saw Kieron Freeman supply Martin Cranie, who somehow kept the ball in play and swung in a delightful cross inside the box with Dowell planting the header.
Marvin Johnson came close to doubling the Blades’ lead, only for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to produce a fine one-handed save. Albion also had their fair share of opportunities, although didn’t overly test United’s defence with Dean Henderson forced to make just one first-half save.
Rodriguez and the returning Dwight Gayle, who had one snap-shot saved by Dean Henderson late on, were kept largely quiet by a well-drilled United defence which was forced into a reshuffle at half-time when John Egan went off injured.
At the other end, a half-chance saw Billy Sharp glance a header wide following Freeman’s cross, while substitute Gary Madine shot straight at Johnstone. Jay Rodriguez appeared to have equalised for West Brom but he was immediately pulled up for a handball.
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And Henderson was called upon in the fifth minute of added time to deny substitute Jefferson Montero. United produced a professional second-half display and held their nerves to hold on for a third successive clean sheet.
Delighted with the victory against West Brom, here’s how the Sheffield United reacted.
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