Sheffield United (A) 04/05/24

Sheffield United 1-3 Nottingham Forest

Brereton Diaz 17' (Pen)        Hudon-Odoi 27', 65'

                                                 Yates 51'

 

The Blades. A team Forest have always had a rivalry with. “We hate Sheffield United” is sung in one of the Reds’ chants. Chris Wilder’s men were relegated last game week at St James’ Park and were looking to bring Forest down with them. The Reds knew huge was an understatement to describe this fixture; a win would help see the light that is Premier League survival.

The Reds’ last fixture was against Manchester City where they played very well against a top Guardiola side despite falling to a defeat. However, with only 1 win in their last 5 outings and their away record, they needed to pick up some points to boost their survival chances. This came as Forest were only out of the drop zone on goal difference following Luton’s draw to Everton. As for the Blades, they are only playing for pride from this point on as their fate is already decided, in the Championship next season. The history in the fixture was on United’s side as they are unbeaten in their last 4 top-flight home games versus Forest.

From kick-off, the Reds looked bright, having an early chance through Chris Wood. However, it was the hosts that struck first. In a Blades’ attack, Cameron Archer faced Murillo who stumbled and lost his balance. The forward played to his fellow strike partner, Ben Brereton Diaz, in a better position. His touch took the ball away from him so Reds’ defender, Gonzalo Montiel, slid in to try and win possession. He completely missed timed the tackle and sent the Chilean flying forwards. It was the former Forest striker to strike from 12 yards. He stepped up and thundered the ball home confidently, sending Sels diving the wrong way. His celebration was weird though; giving it large to the Forest fans behind the goal despite them being the club who nurtured him through the academy.

The momentum completely swayed in United’s favour. It was looking hopeful for the hosts as in the last 4 of 7 occasions, relegated sides have come out on top after relegation has been confirmed. The Blades could’ve made it 2 goals to the good as Archer found himself one-on-one with Sels but Murillo got back brilliantly to slide the ball away. Before the confidence found Wilder’s team another goal, Forest grabbed an equaliser. Gibbs-White won the ball back in midfield before playing in Danilo, who was running into space. The Brazilian found Callum Hudson-Odoi on the left who took a touch to make his angle at goal easier. He unleashed a strike, leaving Foderingham with no chance, and found the far side of the goal.

Despite levelling the game, it was Sheffield United who ended the half the better team, creating some good opportunities. A few of their chances were blocked by Forest defenders but Sels was called into action on 2 occasions. One from Archer as he got away from Willy Boly and the Belgian ‘keeper rushed out to tighten the angle and send it wide for a corner. The other was even  better! Brooks laid the ball to Gustavo Hamer who took a few touches to get beyond Gibbs-White before firing an unblocked shot at goal. Sels reacted well, managing to tip it over with his fingertips. Forest weren’t ending the half without a chance of their own. Montiel and Gibbs-White linked up down the Reds’ right side before the Forest number 10 crossed for Wood. His header was only stopped by the crossbar.

Forest started the second half well, managing to go ahead just 6 minutes in. Gibbs-White floated in a free-kick from the left which reached Anthony Elanga at the back post. He crossed back in for Boly who headed down, despite being closely marked by 2 defenders, for Ryan Yates. The midfielder let the ball bounce before smashing beyond Foderingham from close range. The away end erupted as the boyhood Forest fan had his first Premier League goal, meaning he has scored in all of England’s top 5 leagues. The Blades looked to respond back as Hamer broke forward after receiving a lovely pass from Archer. Boly seemed to have blocked any danger but luckily for the midfielder, the ball bounced back into his path and he took a shot. Murillo had forced his angle tight but the effort wasn’t bad as it rolled just wide of the post.

A nervy feel started to creep around the away end as Red’s fans knew the importance of the game. All nerves were traded for joy as Hudson-Odoi scored his second of the game. Boly put in a brilliant tackle on the half way line to win back possession for the visitors before playing into Gibbs-White. The midfielder passed to Hudson-Odoi who cut in from the left of the box to make his angle at goal easier before finding the bottom right corner. This goal meant Sheffield United had conceded 100 goals, with only Swindon Town conceding that many in a Premier League season before, back in 1993/94 over 42 games. Forest’s number 14 will have felt relief seeing the ball hit the back of the net as his very similar (and arguably easier) chance just moments before only managed to hit the post.

The visitors ended the game the much stronger side with all the momentum in their favour. Danilo looked to finish off a brilliant solo run but he blasted the ball miles over. The Blades also called Sels into action after he made a poor pass out but he recovered well and got down to make the save. With just the dying seconds left, Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on substitute, Nicolas Dominguez.

I think we played very well on Saturday and it’s a performance to be proud of. We were the better team in both boxes and ultimately that has decided the game. I have to give special plaudits to Murillo and Sels because without them in the first half, we would have easily been a few goals down. The second half was very enjoyable to watch from the away end as we were all over them and creating chances. Callum played very well again and scored 2 brilliant goals. The whole team put in a shift which we need to see replicated against Chelsea to see us confirm safety after finding out earlier today we won’t be receiving any points back. That was definitely my favourite away day too! The whole stand bouncing and everyone chanting and backing the side apart from a pointless altercation between a few fans at half-time. Come on you Reds!

 

 

Sheffield United: Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson; Bogle, Hamer, Arblaster, Brooks (McAtee 66'), Osborn; Archer (Vini Souza 74'), Brereton Diaz 

 

Forest: Sels; Montiel (Toffolo 83'), Murillo, Boly, Aina; Yates, Danilo; Elanga (Niakhate 67'), Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi (Dominguez 90'); Wood (Awoniyi 90')