Sheffield United 0-1 Leeds United
A late, late header from Patrick Bamford gave new boys Leeds United a second win of the season but consigned neighbours Sheffield to a third successive defeat.
Premier League: Sheffield United vs Leeds United was the first top flight Yorkshire derby in 19 years and it lived up to its billing, full of passion and energy and Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds just about deserved the victory.
But having exceeded everybody’s expectations last season the Blades’ first three Premier League 2020 results for the new campaign are yet to yield a point, and it could be a long winter in their second season in the top flight.
Highlights of the game
The Blades made two changes at the heart of their defence with Jack Robinson coming in for Jack O‘Connell, who is out for the season, and there was a first Premier League start for Ethan Ampadou, who replaced John Egan, who was unlucky to get sent off in Sheffield’s defeat to Aston Villa last week. And Ampadou made a good start, breaking up a number of early Leeds attacks, though Luke Ayling did test Blades’ keeper Aaron Ramsdale with a fierce strike from distance.
At the other end of the pitch Sheffield probed and came close to the opener when Ben Osborn fired a dangerous ball across the six yard box, but Jack Harrison was on hand to clear. Leeds reacted and Bamford met a cross from Kalvin Phillips but headed over. Then, as the game swung from end to end, Leeds keeper Illan Meslier made a wonder save to stop a John Lundstram shot which was hammered towards the bottom corner from ten yards, but the Leeds stopper’s reactions were lightning fast. And he made another fine save to deny Harrison who’s effort was arrowing towards the top corner.
Leeds had bossed possession in the first half but Sheffield had the better chances, but early in the second half Ramsdale was in action to stop a near post drive from Bamford. Then wing back Stuart Dallas latched onto a long ball and rounded the Blades keeper before rolling it toward goal, but Chris Basham was on hand to make a last ditch clearance.
Bielsa’s Leeds continued to press, but after good work from the lively Harrison Bamford failed to convert his cross. Wilder responded by bringing on strike duo Billy Sharp and Ollie McBurnie with 15 minutes remaining. But it was Leeds’ Premier League debutant Ian Poveda who made a quicker impact, firing in a shot from 20 yards which Ramsdale parried away.
As play swung to the other end of the pitch McBurnie stretched to meet a cross and was inches away from snatching the winner. But eventually the goal came, on 88 minutes, and it was man-of-the-match Harrison who delivered it, sending over an inch perfect cross which Bamford headed expertly past Ramsdale and into the net.
Leeds march on.
Key statistics
This was the first Premier League meeting between Sheffield United and Leeds since 1994 and the Blades had won four of the five previous clashes, but now Leeds have the bragging rights.
The Whites’ opening two Premier League games yielded 14 goals, more than any other team’s opening two matches in a Premier League campaign. And while there was only one goal in this game, it was not for the want of trying as Leeds eventually won the shot count by 17 to 14 and nine to four on target.
Bamford struggled in his previous stints in the Premier League but he’s scored three in the first three games this time around.
What’s next?
Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United took us by surprise last season but second season syndrome could set in unless he can get some points on the board soon.
Next Sunday they head to North London to take on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal who have started well, and have a huge clash away to champions Liverpool on Monday night.
The Premier League 2020 betting odds tell us 11 teams are candidates for a relegation battle; and both the Blades and the Whites are in that big group. The competition narrows at top and bottom as the months roll by and when the fight for survival reduces to five or six teams nobody wants to be in that scrap.
After this full blooded local tussle, there was plenty of endeavour and some signs of quality, and while Leeds have potential to be a top ten side, Sheffield have their work cut out.
But of one thing you can be sure…we’ll be following the twists and turns all the way, right here at SBOTOP.
Before the international break, Leeds have another big game to look forward to when they welcome Premier League favourites Manchester City to Elland Road, and that could be a cracker!
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