Ageing like a fine Malbec, Billy Sharp nets the winner as the Blades overcome the Baggies

Sheffield United came from behind to claim a precious win against fellow relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion. Billy Sharp scored the winner after Matt Phillips sent Albion into half-time with a slender 1-0 lead. 

With both clubs desperate for points to beat the drop, both sides knew the importance of the fixture regarding their hopes of avoiding relegation to the Championship. 

The visitors started the better of the two sides, catching the Blades on the break multiple times. Callum Robinson found space in the left pocket more than once, but couldn’t find the net.  

The home side started to turn up the pressure midway through the first half testing Sam Johnstone multiple times. Ethan Ampadu had a long-range effort destined for goal, but for a fine save from Johnstone to deny the Welsh international. 

A vintage Big Sam Allardyce smash and grab looked on the cards after failing to let the Blades through, then going on to open the scoring with Matt Phillips tapping in from two yards out. Albion’s attacking threat came from the left side again with Robinson putting a dangerous shot into the mix, only for Ramsdale to palm it back into danger. Matt Phillips eventually netting. 

The second half came and Sheffield United fired all guns blazing, they attacked West Brom and eventually the Baggies caved in.  

Albion’s defence failed to clear their lines and couldn’t retrieve the ball from a very skilful Chris Basham whose tricky feet enabled the ball to eventually drop to former Derby County man Jayden Bogle who converted to draw the scores level. 

The game opened up significantly and could have gone either way after this.  

A game-changing save from Aaron Ramsdale was the deciding moment other than the winner of course.  

Matt Phillips delivered a delightful cross from the right-wing with Robinson and Mbaye Diagne waiting to pounce. Robinson got there first but somehow Ramsdale kept out the ball, with a remarkable save.  

With a draw set to do no favours for either side, a goal was written in the stars, somewhere, somehow.  

Up stepped who else but Billy Sharp on the 73rd minute with a ‘Sharp-esque’ goal. Stabbing the ball into the net, showing his best poaching talents to seize upon a loose ball in the area. Emotions were high and you could see and hear how much it meant to the players and the coaching staff.  

Sharp was set to come off, just as he scored the deciding goal. With Rhian Brewster stripped and ready to come on, the Blades faithful will be relieved that the ball didn’t go out earlier. He ended up staying on for a little longer after the strike.  

The 34-year-old scored only his fourth goal of the season, but yet another vital one. He scored the winner against Newcastle United just three weeks ago to earn the Blades their first victory of the season. It took them 18 games in all competitions to do so.  

Being born in Sheffield and raised as a Blades fan, the club means a lot to the veteran striker. Having two spells excluding his youth days, his time at the Yorkshire outfit certainly isn’t over.  

Sharp is ageing like a fine wine and looks in stellar condition. There’s probably no man that Chris Wilder could rely on more than the talisman to pull his side from the dead.  

Coming up to 300 appearances for the Blades, Sharp will sure go down a club legend, and there would be no better way to see out yet another season with the club than to steer them from relegation after such a poor start to the season.  

Still, a long way to go but winning this fixture was crucial for Wilder’s men.  

Wilder speaking after the game after a vital three points, he said,  

“Just because we have won a couple of games recently, it’s the Premier League and it hurts you. I have a group that are alive and kicking and fighting for their lives. We needed that big second-half performance.” 

Sheffield United face an unpredictable Chelsea side this weekend. Meanwhile, West Brom travel to Spurs, who are also having their ups and downs this season, much like their London rivals.  

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