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Sheffield United ended a worrying week with a gritty performance as Callum O’Hare came closest to finding a winner in a goalless draw at Swansea City.
The Blades are still waiting for a first Championship victory – and league goal – of the new campaign, but there were encouraging signs as Swansea were stifled in their opening home league fixture of the season.
In a game of few clear-cut chances,
For a goalless draw, it was not actually that bad a game – a furiously competitive scrap, as Blues again demonstrated their determination to be hard to beat on their travels.
But, for all the oohs and ahhs, especially when Blues left-back Alex Cochrane was involved down the flank, there was just so very little real genuine goal threat.
In fact, before the break, the stats said neither side managed
Blackburn Rovers head coach Michael O’Neill told BBC Radio Lancashire:
“Relieved, more than anything else, delighted for the players, delighted for the club.
“I don’t like to call it a celebration because you never want to be in this situation. A really good performance, first half was a terrific performance, second half we had to show a different side of our character. To come here and win 3-1 is testament
It remains to be seen how damaging Saturday’s result will prove to be for Hull City, who have now won just two of their past eight games.
McBurnie, making his first return to the club he made 146 league appearances for in five years, got them off to the perfect start with his 13th goal of the season.
The Scotland international almost made it 2-0 but Mark McGuiness scrambled his
The Blades wasted a golden opportunity to go ahead on 11 minutes when Harrison Burrows squared to Patrick Bamford who was unmarked after Dom Hyam slipped, although the striker guided his effort wide from close range.
And after Adam Davies made a routine save to deny Windass, Burrows failed to hit the target after being picked out by Callum O’Hare.
It typified a wasteful opening half from the home side,
Sheffield United’s deadline-day arrivals Kalvin Phillips and Joe Rothwell were introduced to the home crowd before kick-off, although neither was involved. Leo Hjelde, signed on loan from Sunderland, came off the bench for the closing stages of a feisty contest which included seven bookings.
Matt Bloomfield’s side gave themselves early hope through Peart-Harris’s 13th-minute opener as the January arrival from Brentford followed in Cameron Brannagan’s long-range effort and was rewarded
Both managers made wholesale changes from their midweek outings, with Chris Wilder making six alterations from the side that began the 1-0 loss at Southampton while McKenna made five from the 2-0 win over Bristol City.
In an open beginning both sides had chances, with Michael Cooper saving well from Sindre Egelli and Walton keeping out efforts from O’Hare and Gus Hamer.
Cooper made further saves from George Hirst and
Scienza fired Southampton ahead as the United backline failed to deal with the Brazilian’s direct play.
The Saints attacker was left in space to drive towards the box on the left-hand side before curling a shot towards goal with his right foot that took a wicked deflection off Oli Arblaster, wrong-footing the keeper and flying into the net.
Scienza now has four goals and four assists for Southampton in the
The fact Charlton ended the first half against a team with nine players with zero shots shows just how one-sided the opening period of this match was.
Until the 35th minute, Sheffield United were in total control. Addicks keeper Thomas Kaminski was called into early action to save efforts from Patrick Bamford and Tom Cannon before Tyler Bindon headed wide.
But the game changed when Soumare caught Knibbs on the
Chris Wilder’s side had raced into a three-goal lead on their way to a 3-2 triumph at the King Power Stadium five weeks ago – and they were just as dominant in the opening half-hour this time, although with less reward.
Andre Brooks posed a threat from the right flank, cutting inside to set up two early opportunities for Patrick Bamford, both of which were dealt with by Leicester