Ranking Sheffield United’s top 5 goals in the Steel City derby | OneFootball

It shouldn’t need an introduction but this Sunday afternoon marks the first Steel City derby in five years. This game marks the 132nd edition of the derby in competitive action, Sheffield United winning 46 of them, and Sheffield Wednesday winning 42 times.

The first contest of the season comes to Bramall Lane, where the Owls have not beaten the Blades since the 2009/10 campaign, triumphing 2-1.

There have been 349 goals in this fixture: United with 179, and Wednesday with 170. However, the last three matches have all seen goalless draws.

In this article, we will list Sheffield United’s top five best goals scored against Wednesday.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Ade Akinbiyi of Sheffield United scores a goal during the Coca-Cola Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United at Hillsborough on February 18, 2006 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Top 5 Best Goals Scored By Sheffield United vs Wednesday

5. John Fleck (2017/18) Owls 2-4 Blades

Coming in at number five is John Fleck’s stunning free-kick in front of the Kop end at Hillsborough. With only three minutes on the clock, in the first Steel City derby since 2012, the Bladesmen silenced the Wednesday fans as David Brooks rolled the ball behind himself for Fleck to run onto, and the Scottish midfielder absolutely drilled it into the bottom corner.

This isn’t just a magnificent strike. The timing of it was impeccable, silencing the Owls, but also moments before the free-kick, the commentator said: “I hope it’s worth the wait here”,  and it certainly was worth it!

4. Ade Akinbiyi (2005/06) Owls 1-2 Blades

This is one of my favourite ever Sheffield United goals for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I used to love Ade Akinbiyi when I was growing up; he was physically a beast and could score any type of goal. Secondly, this goal is technically superb.

Already a goal to the good, the Blades delivered an additional blow to Wednesday right before half-time as Akinbiyi isolated his man from a direct cross, nodding the ball down into his own path to create an angle for a shot. Knee over ball, the United striker smacked it into the top left corner at the Kop end at Hillsborough.

3. Michael Tonge (2005/06) Owls 1-2 Blades

Before Akinbiyi’s goal, it was Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge who put the Blades in front.

Standing over a free-kick on the far left side of the pitch, Tonge had a great angle to whip the ball in for a cross. Instead, he decided to go for goal and he thrashed the ball into the far corner, leaving everybody stunned.

2. Michael Brown (2002/03) Blades 3-1 Owls

From one absolute banger to another from United midfielders, we turn to the 2002/03 campaign where Michael Brown scored one of the best volleys you’ll see from a Sheffield United player.

After a long free-kick lumped into the Sheffield Wednesday box, the ball was eventually headed out towards the edge of the penalty area by Garry Monk, but Brown was on hand to pick up the pieces and he delivered an outstanding first-time volley past Kevin Pressman.

1. Mark Duffy (2017/18) Owls 2-4 Blades

Technically, I don’t think any goal from a Steel City derby beats Michael Brown’s volley. However, Mark Duffy’s goal in the 2017/18 season is one of the best moments I’ve witnessed supporting the Blades.

After going 2-0 up in the first half, thanks to goals from the previously mentioned John Fleck, and former Owls striker Leon Clarke, United let a two-goal lead slip. A first-half stoppage time goal from Gary Hooper sparked Wednesday to life, and in the 65th minute Lucas Joao capitalised on a slip by United’s defence and he equalised for Wednesday.

With the Sheffield Wednesday fans finally showing signs of life, bouncing around and singing “if you don’t bounce then you’re a Blade”. Less than two minutes since the equaliser, Mark Duffy produced a viral moment as he picked up the ball inside the Owls’ box and turned his man inside-out before firing the ball beyond Keiren Westwood. And in doing so, the Wednesday fans were silenced, while the Blades fans in the top-tier went bonkers.

The sheer individual quality from Mark Duffy and the timing of the goal, virtually moments after Wednesday equalised, while their fans were still celebrating, will likely never be topped.