Sunderland vs Sheffield United. Sky Bet Championship.
Stadium of LightAttendance37,490.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light as Tommy Doyle free-kick sealed a vital comeback win for the Blades.
Wednesday 15 March 2023 23:39, UK
Sheffield United returned to winning ways by claiming a much-needed 2-1 Championship comeback victory at Sunderland in the race for promotion to the Premier League.
The Blades - in second - are now six points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough ahead of this Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Blackburn.
Sunderland, who had hoped to close the gap on the play-off places, had taken the lead when French midfielder Edouard Michut scored his first goal in English football after half-an-hour.
But after James McAtee had levelled near the end of the first half, Sheffield United hit a winner when Tommy Doyle's free-kick from the left bounced straight in just after the hour.
Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele was pictured with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus at the Stadium of Light to watch the match.
Sheffield United knew this was not going to be an easy task. Sunderland - unchanged from winning at Norwich last time out - have impressed against most teams this season and still have a chance of a top-six spot.
But Paul Heckingbottom's visitors, fielding four changes to the side that lost at home to Luton, were quick out of the blocks without finding the net.
McAtee, one of those changes, had a goal-bound effort blocked by Dan Ballard and - from the resulting corner - Anel Ahmedhodzic headed the ball wide before an even better chance.
Moments after Trai Hume had forced an early save out of Wes Foderingham, following a clever Patrick Roberts backheel, Sheffield United went on the offensive again.
Striker Daniel Jebbison was first to go close when he cut inside his man and his shot from the edge of the area forced goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to get down low and turn the ball away confidently.
Jebbison was lucky to escape injury soon after when Hume dived in recklessly near the touchline and took the man, completely missing the ball with a wild challenge on the forward, and was issued with a yellow rather than red card.
Less than four minutes later Sunderland went ahead. Abdoullah Ba's pass picked out Michut just inside the area, the 20-year-old steadied himself before firing low and precisely inside the far corner.
There had been little goalmouth action after that until McAtee levelled in first-half stoppage-time. The midfielder opened his body and curled his effort inside the far corner after breaking into the area following a good George Baldock run.
The goalscorer almost created a second early in the second half. McAtee's run and pass ended with Patterson having to dart from his line to make an excellent stop to deny Iliman Ndiaye's low effort.
But Sheffield United were ahead just after the hour when Doyle's free-kick from the left flank bounced straight into the far corner. There were claims for offside, but they were waved away because Sander Berge failed to get a touch.
That sparked Sunderland briefly to life. Foderingham denied Ba firstly and then Roberts struck the foot of the post with a low drive from just inside the box.
Sheffield United dealt with everything else that came their way to seal a win on Wearside.
Sunderland's Tony Mowbray:
"We played against a good team, found it difficult to match them first half. They showed their experience and we knew they would. We scored a really good goal, the timing of their first goal was damaging for us. It would be great if the referee or linesman could come here and say why they allowed the second goal to stand. A member of our coaching staff has said the referee has apologised and said he got it wrong, which doesn't mean much for us. I don't even think it is in doubt, he is interfering with play. Between the two of them they have got it badly wrong and ultimately it has cost us.
"If people make a genuine effort to get the ball, he (Berge) missed it by millimetres, there's even an argument it grazed his knee, and he started in an offside position. I have been in football since I left school and offside is offside. In my mind it shouldn't have happened. We have to suffer the consequences."
Sheffield United's Paul Heckingbottom:
"If I am Tony (Mowbray) I am claiming that. It is harsh on Tony, if I am seeing that, I'm spewing. But he is not blocking the keeper's sight and there's no touch, I don't know the law. We were really bright, brave and sharp with the ball. To concede the way we did was a kick in the teeth. We showed good mentality to get back into it, the energy and bravery we wanted to show. I'm pleased with the response.
"We got the goal we deserved first half. The message was the same at half-time and I was pleased with how we did respond and played. I am proud of all the staff and players and how professional we have been. This week could be a huge week in careers for the players and the history of the club, that is what we are playing for. We can't be fearful, we are in a fantastic position in the league and in the quarter-final of the cup."
