Rhian Brewster Dedicates Winning Goal to His Cousin Kaylen Dennis | OneFootball

Sheffield United secured a narrow 1-0 win over Millwall at The Den, with Rhian Brewster’s first goal of the season proving to be the decisive moment.

The tightly contested affair saw the Blades capitalise on an opportunity late in the first half, after an audacious crossfield ball from captain Jack Robinson which was controlled beautifully by Gustavo Hamer before serving it on a plate for Brewster in the box. The Blades also had to ride their luck at crucial moments to preserve their clean sheet; the hosts hit the post twice.

The decisive goal came from Brewster, who tapped in just before the halftime whistle to give Sheffield United the lead. It was a goal of immense personal significance for the striker, who dedicated it to his late cousin, Kaylen Dennis, a player for non-league side Walthamstow, who tragically passed away earlier in the day.

“I really want to dedicate that goal to my younger cousin,” Brewster said post-match, via BBC Sport. “He passed away earlier today before the game, so that one is for him and the family. Very tough time, but I played for him today.”

Rhian Brewster on Firing Sheffield United Back to Top of the League

While the Blades left London with three points, the contest was far from straightforward. Millwall came agonisingly close to levelling the score twice, with both efforts denied by the woodwork. Additionally, late penalty appeals from the hosts added to the tension, but Sheffield United’s defence held firm under pressure to claim their 13th clean sheet in 20 Championship matches.

“You can see we’ve got a bit of resiliency about us,” Brewster said to SUTV. “It’s not an easy place to come. I don’t think we played as well as we can today, but we come here and get the result. We’ve got a target on our back because of who we are, and we’re just trying to go game by game and get a result.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall FC and Sheffield United FC at The Den on December 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)

Wilder on Brewster’s Winner

Chris Wilder sung the praises of the match winner from Wednesday. After the game he said, “I’ve talked to you guys a lot about Rhian and his personality and his character, and how he doesn’t want to be injured and on the treatment table. And coming in at half eight and going home at five, and watching all his pals play football and win games of football. There’s been some good news stories around the club recently; Tom Davies, Rhian tonight. He takes all the headlines in a win at a difficult place.” [via BBC Sport]

Sheffield United will look to extend their unbeaten streak to double figures on Saturday afternoon when they host Plymouth Argyle, who sit 23rd in the table, with Wayne Rooney feeling the heat having only registered one win in their last ten games.