Sheffield United 4-2 Wrexham: Young Blades thrive in cup as Peck runs the show | OneFootball

Sheffield United knocked Wrexham out of the Carabao Cup in style beating them 4-2 at Bramall Lane.

William Boyle put the League One outfit in front in the first half but that was soon cancelled out by Auston Trusty’s header. Just shy of the hour mark the Blades took the lead through an own goal from Lewis Brunt. 12 minutes later Rhian Brewster’s penalty was saved but slotting home the rebound was boyhood Blade Louie Marsh. With five minutes to go Anis Slimane added a fourth goal from close range before Sebastian Revan scored a consolation for the visitors.

Chris Wilder made wholesale changes for this cup tie which saw plenty of youngsters get given an opportunity as well as seeing a debut from Harry Souttar.

Lineups

Blades: Grbic, Trusty, Souttar, Brewster (Oné 70), Slimane, Coulibaly, Marsh (Hamer 70), Seriki (Gilchrist 21), Peck, Boyes (Norrington-Davies 70) Hampson (Brooks 80).

Unused: A. Davies, Burrows, Robinson, Souza.

Wrexham: Burton, Brunt, McClean (Marriott 62), Evans (Dobson 70), Bolton (Barnett 80), Dalby (Fletcher 62), Rathbone (Lee 62), Revan, Scarr, Boyle, Jones.

Unused: Howard, Cleworth, Cannon, Palmer, Barnett.

First half

Wrexham started the game the quickest as they tested Grbic very early on with a low curling effort. While the Blades were finding their feet, Seriki was taking the game to the away side down the right. Brewster fired a difficult chance over the bar from a Peck corner. Shortly after, the aforementioned Seriki was forced off after 21 minutes and he was replaced by Gilchrist.

Peck, who grew into the game, had a long range shot that was always rising. The Blades then carved out an excellent chance when Slimane’s delicate back heel found Brewster in the centre of the box but his fierce effort was matched by the goalkeeper.

As United began dominating all aspects of the game they were silenced by Wrexham; William Boyle steered a corner home for the League One side in front after 29 minutes against the run of play.

After going behind the Blades answered back quickly, giving Wrexham a taste of their own medicine, Auston Trusty met Peck’s corner delivery at the far post with a powerful downward header.

Just before the half-time whistle the visitors almost restored their lead when Revan stabbed at a bouncing ball in the box with Grbic in no man’s land, Gilchrist and the keeper were relieved to see the ball drop wide of the post.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Auston Trusty of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Sydie Peck during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Sheffield United and Wrexham at Bramall Lane on August 13, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Second half

Souttar almost gave Sheffield United the lead when the ball dropped in the box to him, the big centre-half hit it on the volley but it whizzed inches wide.

The warning signs were there though and eventually the home side made it 2-1 through some excellent work from Hampson, who played an inch perfect pass to Brewster, and Brewster raced beyond the defence down the right side of the box and the striker’s cut back was put into his own goal by Lewis Brunt on 57 minutes.

It didn’t take long for United to increase their lead. 12 minutes after going in front, their lead was secure when Marsh, albeit with an orthodox finish, managed to steer home the rebound from Brewster’s penalty.

Souttar, once again causing havoc in the opposition box from a corner, saw his far post header saved but he could not prevent Anis Slimane’s strike from finding the roof of the net in the 85th minute.

Wrexham fought until the end and they were rewarded with a second goal when Sebastian Revan struck a powerful shot through Grbic’s legs in stoppage time. And in the aftermath there were some shoving between Peck and some of the Wrexham players which led to the young Blades midfielder being booked.