Sheff United Way
·22 Januari 2025
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Yahoo sportsSheff United Way
·22 Januari 2025
Sheffield United overturned a lackluster first-half performance to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium. The win not only marked their third consecutive Championship win but also propelled them back to the top of the table with a two-point cushion over Leeds United.
The hosts started brightly, taking advantage of a poor Sheffield United start. Matt Grimes delivered a pinpoint cross into the box from a free-kick on the left, which Ben Cabango met with a powerful header. Although United goalkeeper Michael Cooper produced a brilliant save, Florian Bianchini was on hand to tap in the rebound in the seventh minute.
United struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, and Gustavo Hamer’s late booking added to their frustrations. The caution means the midfielder will miss the next two games due to accumulating ten bookings this season.
Manager Chris Wilder made three pivotal substitutions at the break, bringing on Femi Seriki, Sam McCallum, and Tyrese Campbell. The changes had an immediate impact. Just two minutes into the second half, Seriki burst down the right wing and delivered a precise low cross to Rhian Brewster, who slotted the ball into the bottom left corner with a volley to level the score.
The game tilted further in United’s favour when Swansea defender Harry Darling received a straight red card for a high, lunging tackle on Brewster in the 50th minute.
Tyrese Campbell, a constant menace for Swansea’s defence, won a penalty after being tripped by Josh Key. Harrison Burrows coolly converted the spot-kick in the 68th minute, securing the comeback and his third goal in two games.
SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 21: Harrison Burrows of Sheffield United celebrates with Tyrese Campbell of Sheffield United after scoring his side’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City AFC and Sheffield United FC at Swansea.com Stadium on January 21, 2025 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Wilder, via SUTV, expressed pride in his team’s turnaround against Swansea: “That first half probably put about 10 years on me. We were terrible; lacked energy, intent, everything. But the second half was a different story. The changes made a huge difference, and the lads responded brilliantly.”
He added: “You have to dig deep and we just looked really lethargic and passive so it wasn’t a typical performance from us, a performance we’ve not produced all season. Yeah we’re playing a couple of players out of position and still trying to get the minutes back in to Tyrese [Campbell] and Ben’s [Brereton Diaz] played his first part today. I thought the introduction of Femi [Seriki] livened us up a little bit and Tyrese coming on gave everyone a lift and gave us a stretch. We played a lot quicker. A lot more intense. A lot more purpose, more positivity.”
On Swansea’s red card, Wilder stated, “Yeah the boy got sent off and it changes the outcome of the game but it’s just one of those nights where you just have to get the correct result and we’ve managed to do that. I’ve got to say: I don’t know what the moaning and groaning is about. I’m not saying that he went to do Rhian [Brewster] but, it’s a red card all day long.”
As well as gathering momentum, the Blades are now getting some players back from injury, Wilder claimed Vinicius Souza and Jesurun Rak-Saky will be back for the Hull City game on Friday evening.
United may have a new addition in time for that game too as Wilder confirmed Tom Cannon is extremely close to joining the club.