Post by deadbat on Feb 10, 2024 19:08:21 GMT
Finally, after six months of waiting, the Blades experienced that winning feeling on the road and a huge three points if they are to have any chance of making an unlikely great escape at the foot of the Premier League. After a tough week after the 0-5 drubbing at the hands of Villa, at the Lane last week, Chris Wilder got a reaction as the Blades scored three goals on the road and showed real resilience in the performance and result. Goals from Cameron Archer and James McAtee, from the spot, gave United the two-goal cushion but a goal straight after half time from a similar penalty offence that United got, Carlton Morris reduced the arrears. United hung on and then broke with a superb Vini Souza strike to seal the victory. It was fitting reward for the game’s outstanding player who had given his all for the shirt continuing his improvements under Wilder.
Luton will have fancied their chances against a side out of form and confidence but in the end, they came out second best as United won a crucial game to at least keep them in touch at the basement.
United rung the changes again with Trusty dropped to the bench and Brereton Diaz out injured. Will Osula dropped to the bench also. Back in came Jack Robinson, Gus Hamer and Cameron Archer. There was still no place for Oli McBurnie in the match day squad. New goalkeeper Ivor Grbic was still out under the concussion protocols.
For the home side, hat trick hero from last weekend, Elijah Adebayo spearheaded the front line with the dangerous Carlton Morris also starting. Ross Barkley has been pulling the strings for the Hatters in the middle of the field, who looked to carry on their recent upsurge.
It was Oranges v Yellows as the game began but as with the last away game at Selhurst Park, United wear nearly ahead in the opening minute. The ball was played forward and McAtee took a touch and curled it just wide with his left foot. After the promising start, the Blades endured a difficult moment when Norrington Davies went down as the ball went out of play. It seemed innocuous enough but the defender was clearly in real pain and seeing him crying as the physios treated him was hard to watch. After being out for over a year and just getting back in the side, this was a huge blow for him and the club. Max Lowe replaced him after only 2 minutes.
A clumsy foul from Bogle on Doughty saw a free kick for the home side but Osho headed down and wide. Holgate was soon in the book too after he brought down Morris as he looked to get away. Luton won two quick corners in succession and then Lowe also gave away a free kick as the Hatters started to take control. The next spell saw the game played exclusively in the United half and Foderingham had to get down to take Doughty’s cross after good football.
Lowe’s give away saw Osborn take his man down but Robinson headed clear from the free kick before Burke’s long range effort clipped Souza for another corner. Bogle managed to get United out after an enterprising run from the back but soon after more ill discipline saw Hamer lazily drag his man back and United had another booking.
Luton had been the better side but had not tested Foderingham or really had any meaningful efforts and on 26 minutes, United should have led. Good work from Souza to head back into the area after a corner was not cleared saw Archer clear but he shanked his shot badly wide despite being one on one with the keeper. Fortunately, the chance did not play on his mind as only a minute later he made amends! ARCHER ran down the channel and held off Osho before darting towards goal and as no defender went across he gave Kaminsky the eyes and drilled it in at the near post to give the Blades the lead! It was an excellent and cool finish from the striker, especially after the sitter he had missed just before.
Luton tried to respond and Adebayo was not far off with a driven shot that went wide but United then were back on the attack in a much more even contest now. From a corner, Souza headed the ball goalwards but it looped into the hands of Kaminsky. However, the referee blew his whistle not long after before the ball had gone out as VAR had told him to look at his monitor for a possible handball. The replays showed the ball struck the raised hand of Burke. It may seem harsh in terms of him being close to the initial header, but these are decisions that are given currently and sure enough Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot after a quick check.
Once again Souza held the ball but it was MCATEE who took it and rolled it in cooly and United were incredibly leading by two goals; for the first time this season. In doing so they overtook the goals output from the relegated side of 2020-21 and would be hopeful of going past Derby’s dreadful points tally of 11 points – as the worst side in Premier League history.
With ten minutes of the half left United now were in confident mood and Morris pulled back Hamer, being the first home player to go in the book. Luton tried to find some life but were struggling to create much although Holgate blocked Adebayo’s shot leading to another corner. There were 5 minutes of stoppage time and a good chance came when Souza allowed Ogbene to cross too easily and Doughty’s driven shot was well blocked, this time from Bogle. The corner saw the header come in and as Foderingham flapped, there was a foul, on Bogle as a challenge came in when the ball dropped. The half time whistle came not long after.
The second half saw Luton start it, as they ended the first, winning a corner after Souza had gone down, seemingly winded. As the delivery came in, the ball was cleared but once again the game was stopped as there was another check for a penalty for handball. This time it was Souza who was adjudged to have his hands raised in the melee. The referee was told to go to his monitor and the inevitable then happened as the penalty is given. MORRIS took it and it this too was almost identical to McAtee’s as he rolled it to the left and sent Foderingham the wrong way.
Luton now sensed a comeback and Chong and Doughty played a one two and led to another corner but Osho headed over. Hamer then went down with an injury as Luton fans felt United were feigning injury to slow the game down. He could not carry on and Davies had to replace him.
On the hour mark, good work from Osborn led to a free kick and Davies took it but Souza conceded the foul. Davies was busy and looking to get involved at every opportunity. Luton now were well on top though and United were being forced back and contend to clear and regroup and struggled to get out at all. Morris tried a shot on the turn but his curling effort was pushed away before Bogle was the next man down as Doughty fell on him. He was able to carry on after treatment – If United had made the change, they would have used all their substitution windows up with 25 minutes left – so would have been pleased he could continue.
Townsend replaced Burke as Luton changed their formation, trying to get more bodies forward but despite dominating were not creating too many clear chances at all. They did create an opportunity when Chong’s clever ball inside Bogle caught the wing back out and Doughty was in but he badly overhit his cross with men over.
United made them pay with a rare break as Luton had men forward and Archer got away. It got stuck under his feet after a good initial run and the danger seemed to have been averted from the home side but Davies got a vital foot in and Osborn then saw the unmarked SOUZA and played him in. The Brazilian took a touch and smashed the ball into the far corner and United had restored their two-goal advantage with 20 minutes to play.
Barkley flicked a header over the bar but Luton won another corner soon after and the ball dropped to Adebayo and Foderingham made a smart save form close range to deny him at his feet. Brewster and Norwood replaced Archer and McAtee with 10 minutes of the game left and United were now trying to hold what they had. A silly foul from Holgate saw Barkley have a chance to get another cross in but Ahmedhodzic and Robinson made headed clearances in quick succession.
Chong had been influential in the second half and hit a curling effort not far off target as Foderingham scrambled across before Berry and Woodrow came on for Doughty and Morris. Woodrow immediately won a header at the back post but it was too high for Adebayo. Townsend’s shot was then easy for the United keeper as the game ticked into 9 minutes of stoppage time.
Foderingham caught one deep cross before Souza did superbly to sprint back and make the tackle and then clear the ball before soon after hooking away again. Brewster then tried an ambitious effort from half way when he would have been better keeping the ball but Luton did not create any more clear chances with one final ball in seeing Adebayo miscue and Foderingham pouched the ball.
The final whistle came and United could celebrate a win for the first time since early December and in doing so also overtook Derby’s pitiful 11-point haul and at least will not be known as the worst side in Premier League history. The Blades also scored three goals away from home for the first time since October 1993 – a 3-3 draw at the Dell!
United – Got to give a great deal of credit to Wilder and the team. Must have been an awful week with all the criticism they rightly got for the awful performance and result last week. They had been well and truly humiliated and embarrassed in front of the watching TV audience and had their own fans leaving in droves. It cannot have been easy for them to deal with but after what has probably been a long week, they gave a much better performance and of course incredibly won away from home! I did not think it was going to happen but this, despite Luton’s recent resurgence and form, was still the best chance we had of actually winning of a game!
I saw the line up and thought it would be a physical mis match and they would be too much for us but it did not quite go like that at all. We did not have much of the ball and Luton dominated but we almost sat back so they could not catch us on the break or use their pace and power. Think weirdly they might be better equipped away really despite all this hullabaloo about Kenilworth Road and the tight ground/advantage it gives. They had loads of the ball but did not do much with it at all and Wes only made a couple of proper saves all game.
I do not think United were outstanding and were still very wasteful with the ball and sat back too much and invited pressure but we battled, got our foot in, won headers, closed down and defended so much better this week, albeit versus lesser opposition. We just put more effort in and seemed more determined and not so easy to get through. Luton fans will say we went to ground and time wasted and a bit cynical (with a number of crude fouls) but we did what we needed to do. At least this week, we were not a soft touch. I still think there were lots of concerns (the amount of times we gave it away cheaply or just kicked it rather than trying to pass the ball and move up in stages/departments) would be punished versus better teams but we did show at times some good stuff going forward and were clinical with the few chances we had.
We did well first half in that we had a good early chance missed and then the RND injury must have rocked them a bit. Luton were well on top for a long period and won lots of corners and free kicks – some of it due to poor fouls or cheap giveaways but we did defend the high balls and some dangerous crosses well and not sure Wes had much to do at all? We then broke after being second best and looking like we could not get out to score a good goal, after Archer had missed the best chance of the game. So, for all Luton’s superiority, we had the three best chances and score one! We then get a corner and the penalty comes and we are two up! After this they huffed and puffed but overall, it was kind of the perfect first half in that we did not concede many chances – kept a decent shape and scored two goals. We were still not great on the ball and felt defended a bit deep but as I said before, maybe this was the plan? However, to say they had a number of physical advantages with height, I thought we did a good job and the three centre halves did better winning headers and making blocks.
After the half time, we have a penalty go against us, you kind of thought, ‘Here we go!’ I fully expected them to come back and draw or win. I sensed the weak mental fragility of our team and all the goals we have conceded in second halves of games this season. Luton did have a lot of the ball after this and we started to hit the deck, stopping the game and seemed a bit desperate. I thought for the first 20 minutes of the second half, we looked poor and sat back and were not even trying to keep the ball. I was shouting for the defence to get out but we seemed contend to defend but I was concerned a ball would drop or a chance would come and all the hard work we had done would be nothing but I only recall one Morris shot that was routine for Wes. Barkley was the main threat and they constantly looked for him to unlock us but we got men round him and Souza and Osborn harried him and made it hard for him to have much space. Chong was a threat and Doughty was always an outlet but they never really hurt us in terms of clear chances. They won lots of corner and had a lot of the ball. I just thought we cannot do this for the whole second half and after get up the field and we did and scored! Archer did well, as did Davies and Osborn to keep the ball alive but what a finish from Souza. He deserved that for an excellent performance where he put a lot of effort in all game.
After that they actually had more effort and a few balls did not quite drop but we made the game stop start and made more changes and Wes only made one really good save – from Adebayo. They once again had lots of corners but seemed to run out of steam. I was worried right up to the end though as our record to close games out has been appalling and you sensed if they got one, they’d get another. The nine minutes did not help but we saw it out comfortably really.
Just so nice to win. We are almost certainly down but the constant weekly bashing of us (from our own fans- include myself as much as the national media!) was hard to keep hearing but deserved as we have been so poor most of the season and out of our depth. If I was a neutral, I would be saying what is the point of them being here, they are just stinking up the league and almost accepted relegation before the season and have definitely done that, at the midpoint. Today the win predictor and all the pundits suggested Luton would keep their run going and suddenly had no chance. This hurts when we were easily in a better place than them when we got promoted, in terms of points last year and respective squads but you have to say they have been much better than us. They have recruited well and the manager has them playing to the maximum. I thought they would turn us over so I was glad I was wrong and the team came out and showed some energy, effort, and desire to get the result.
The metrics and stats suggest Luton were much better, especially second half but actually chances we had, we had as many, if not better ones than then and for all their possession, they did not really break us down. The defence, and the whole team, have to take credit as we closed down spaces and won those 50-50 tackles and challenges we have not done most of the season. As we get in front and then got the third, for the extra cushion, the desire seemed to increase and this is the opposite to what happened last week when the legs get heavy and it seems so hard – as Wilder alluded to.
I am not sure it makes much difference in the grand scheme of things in terms of us having any chance of staying up. We are pretty much down and do not see a run of 3 or 4 wins in the bounce we would need, especially when you see we have Brighton, Wolves and Arsenal next but at least we now have another win and a week when we are not being rubbished by all and sundry. We need a much better home performance after the two recent games saw us concede 5 and we need to be much tighter and more drilled as the back, showing better discipline – we did that today. For now, thought outside of the bigger picture, let’s just enjoy the victory.
Ratings:
Foderingham 6.5/10 – First half little to do really. Saw a header and a shot go past his post but cannot recall any saves he made. His kicking was poor again as he loops them up in the air. He then dropped a cross and luckily for him, they fouled Bogle after. Second half he was given more to do. The penalty went in and then he did make one routine save – I thought he was slow to get to the Morris shot and made a bit of a meal of it. After this he made an excellent save from Adebayo, diving at his feet. He then had a few easier things to do and another few crosses bouncing round. Not sure he was totally convincing again but he did make that big save at 1-2.
Bogle 6/10 – Started with a stupid foul and at times he makes poor decisions defensively but he did get us out a few times. He also made a few blocks too though. He was energetic in his contribution but at times he switches off and second half felt that Chong and Doughty got in too easily a few times as he was ball watching.
Norrington Davies – Real shame to see him go down and clearly in distress and you worry if it’s connected to his original injury (*Wilder says it is his other hamstring post game) and his reaction – in tears- concerns you. I am concerned it could be another long termer and such a shame with him just getting back after a year out. Another lengthy break and sadly, with him being out of contract, you sense his career with us might be done. Hope I am wrong and it’s not too bad.
Ahmedhodzic 7/10 – Much better in that he showed some desire and won headers and was more focused in stopping his man. He was tighter in everything he did. Still lost out a few times or guilty of letting free headers come in but he at least was much more resolute, as was the whole defence.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Committed performance where he won a number of crunching tackles and got his body in the way and won headers. He made us much solid at the back and against some strong and tall defenders, he did enough to limit them to few chances.
Holgate 6.5/10 – Defensively he did some really decent things and another who got his body on blocks and also made some good interceptions. He was much better than last week. However, he gave away a stupid booking a few other silly fouls and at times he tries to win it, when he should just jockey. Used the ball ok when he had it though.
Hamer 6/10 – First half he started quite well with some decent balls forward and he was one of the few looking to pass forward as we kind of seem penned in but he at least looked to get up the field. Played Archer in a few times. He did start to lose his influence before the break and then got injured soon into the second half and another who pulled up. The fitness and injury record is awful.
Souza 8/10 – Our man of the match. He was excellent all game. He did give the penalty away which was daft – having his hands up there, even if there was a slight push and once or twice did not get to his man (end of first half) but that are the only real negatives – the rest of the game, he worked so hard. He was always in on the action, winning headers, breaking things up and a threat when we did have a few attacks. Made the chance for Archer with the header on and then also contributed to the penalty. He continued to put a real shift in and the one I saw covering a lot of ground and just nicking the ball when we needed to. The third goal he took superbly and showed his commitment to get up and down. At the end he ran back a few times to make interceptions and was often the one hooking or clearing it away. He was really good and has been much better under Wilder. He still is quite slow and at times still stands off when defending but overall he has done much better after a shaky first 3 months with us. Blades fans will like you, if you put a shift in and show you care and he clearly has done that recently.
Osborn 7.5/10 – I have been quite critical of him and still feel he is way off for this level but today he was good and quietly had a pretty impressive game. He did what he had to in closing Barkley down and trying to stop them having time and showed good energy. He worked really hard and also when he had it, he tried to find a shirt and be sensible and composed. Involved in the third goal and just kept to a good position all game. He’s not a starter at Premier League level but today after the way the midfield were ran though, he gave us some solidity.
McAtee 6.5/10 – Nearly scored early on with a good effort and was busy but then we were forced to defend quite a bit and he saw less of it. He did always try and keep it and get us playing but we just ended up defending so much or not really trying to attack that his threat was negated. Taken off as we looked to see the game out. Showed good composure on the penalty.
Archer 7/10 – Worked hard in a kind of lone striker role with Hamer and McAtee trying to support him and then had that really good chance but badly missed it. However, credit to him as he got the ball straight after and was really positive, showing pace and strength and his finish was clinical. After this he did not see too much of the ball but again involved in the third as he ran through and then was able to help us keep the ball and allow men to support him.
Subs –
Lowe 5.5/10 – Thought he was our weakest defender. I am sure some may be critical but every time he had it, he seemed to give it away after he came on and was really sloppy. He threw one out from his own throw too! He was too far off his man time after time and seemed unable to realise he needed to get out and stop the cross. Suppose he did make a few clearances or interceptions but surprised Luton did not attack more down his side. Worrying that we may need to rely on him and Larouci if RND is out for a while.
Davies 7.5/10 – Like Osborn, thought he quietly did a good job after he came on and got on the ball when he could, he got tackles in and was able to limit their dangerous players and stopped the space they were trying to get into. Took a few decent free kicks and made the tackle to just get his toe in and help set it up for Osborn to feed Souza. He was nothing flash but he gave us some legs in that area and we at least had a decent shape where gaps were denied. Think he will start next week.
Norwood - Brought on to kind of keep the ball I suppose but at this point we were just defending what we had. Not sure he did much other than chip a few balls forward.
Brewster – Least he did not get sent off although I worried when he charged in at one point! He was supposed to chase and help us keep the ball but gave away a foul, lost a few 50-50’s and then tried a daft shot that have the ball back to them. Should not be near the side – but with McBurnie’s injury issues meaning he is barely available and Osula being still raw, we are forced to use him.
Manager: Wilder 7.5/10 – Got a reaction out of the team in that we showed some togetherness, spirit and managed to get the victory. The performance was not fantastic but we will argue we deserved the win in that we scored three goals and did not concede lots of chances, even if we had little of the ball and did defend a fair bit up to leading and then for a lot of the second half. He did make some changes but with BBD (he was at the City Ground watching Forest– why was he not with his team?) and McBurnie not available, we had a clear physical mismatch but brought Robinson back and had Osborn (and then Davies) and we were much more workmanlike and solid. 2-0 flattered us at the break but we took our chances and did not really have many going in at us. I was disappointed we stopped attacking and sat back after the break and felt better teams would have made us pay but we got the third with our first real attack and then saw it out. At the end of the day, we needed a better performance and for the players to actually show some desire and balls. They did that and we scored three goals away from home.
We tactically were much better in that we had a better shape too and made sure there not gaps to run through. We were better organised too and defensively we covered gaps and made it hard for them to create clear chances. We just had a more solid shape and the midfield was key to this, allowing the defence to have less to deal with, even if they had more of the ball.
Luton – Got to give them massive credit for the season they are having and the way they are having a real go. They have a clear identity and plan in games but still are executing it well. Most weeks their team is inferior but they have been right in most games and got better and better. They attack when they can and score goals and are not sitting back. They do have a physical edge and can be direct but in players like Barkley and Townsend have good footballers too. A number of the bigger lads are underrated too and always liked Adebayo who is an real handful too. They have rightly got a lot of praise.
They spent an awful lot less than we did and Burnley and are making a real fist of staying up. I still think ultimately they will just miss out and join us with all three promoted teams coming down. However I would not be shocked if they did manage to overhaul likes of Forest or Brentford (feel Everton and Palace will have too much and pull away).
I saw our line up today and winced as I thought they would blow us away but they had lots of corners and free kicks but we defended them well and they did not have many chances from them. They had loads of balls and surely won’t have that much possession again all season but almost seemed not to know what to do with it. The main tactic seemed to be get it will not Barkley and hope he created something? Morris scored but was not a threat and Adebayo had an off day. The first goal was awful as no one went to Archer – just after they had a let off- it was like a goal we have been conceding. The defence surely had to go to the ball! The third goal they get done on the break but that’s a bit of a mess too. They have been scoring but been conceding a fair few too. They kept plugging away and will feel the ball did not drop but in the end, did not do enough to get anything from the game despite having all the territory and ball – particularly second half. I think they would have got something, if we had not scored that third when we did and it might have been a draw at least but that killed them. It’s a big defeat for them in the scheme of things as they would have seen today as a game they could win and have lost to the bottom side.
They had 13 corners to 1 and 75% possession, and 20 shots to 7 but only 5 to 3 on target. In truth, the stats make it seem like they dominated but they did not in the key areas (big chances and goals) and felt like they kind of run out of steam.
Opponent Man of the Match – Barkley was the focal point and did some good bits but got crowded out and was kind of relied on too much. Adebayo is a handful but nothing really worked today. Doughty is a threat but was wasteful today. The best player was Chong who was good on the ball and always busy and felt most good things they did came from him. Townsend had a few crosses and shots and surprised he did not start.
Opponent Weak link – Defensively they looked suspect. Burke was poor and they hooked him in the end after he lost Archer twice and gave away the penalty. When you see them putting on the likes of Berry and Woodrow (average Champ players really – no offence) who are on a par with likes of Osborn and Norwood – you feel better about your chances and the few times a team has a comparable lack of squad depth.
Referee/Officials – Chris Kavanagh. Thought he went to his book a bit early but we did commit a few cynical ones. In the end he only booked three (two to us and one to them) and after the break there were not many fouls or tackles at all. The penalties were the big talking points. I think both were a bit soft but suppose you have your hands up – but not sure the efforts were far enough away for them to be penalties – I would not have an issue if neither was given. I just think penalties result too easy these days. Once he gives the first, he has to give the second. The counter argument again, is why put your hands up there? The referee was told to look at the monitor and you wonder why they go through this charade – I’d rather them just tell him to give it as they never go and look and change their mind? The way they stand and look for a while, as if they are saying, ‘I better wait and not make it so obvious I am going to give it!’
Amusing to hear the Luton fans complaining about our players going down and timewasting as they did the same at the Lane when 1-0 up. I think it would be annoying when so many of ours kept hitting the deck but to be fair they are just weak and injury prone rather than trying to cheat and two did come off! They booed RND which was not great but think they are still annoyed he chose to go to Stoke rather than stay with them when he was on a loan a few years ago.
Luton will have fancied their chances against a side out of form and confidence but in the end, they came out second best as United won a crucial game to at least keep them in touch at the basement.
United rung the changes again with Trusty dropped to the bench and Brereton Diaz out injured. Will Osula dropped to the bench also. Back in came Jack Robinson, Gus Hamer and Cameron Archer. There was still no place for Oli McBurnie in the match day squad. New goalkeeper Ivor Grbic was still out under the concussion protocols.
For the home side, hat trick hero from last weekend, Elijah Adebayo spearheaded the front line with the dangerous Carlton Morris also starting. Ross Barkley has been pulling the strings for the Hatters in the middle of the field, who looked to carry on their recent upsurge.
It was Oranges v Yellows as the game began but as with the last away game at Selhurst Park, United wear nearly ahead in the opening minute. The ball was played forward and McAtee took a touch and curled it just wide with his left foot. After the promising start, the Blades endured a difficult moment when Norrington Davies went down as the ball went out of play. It seemed innocuous enough but the defender was clearly in real pain and seeing him crying as the physios treated him was hard to watch. After being out for over a year and just getting back in the side, this was a huge blow for him and the club. Max Lowe replaced him after only 2 minutes.
A clumsy foul from Bogle on Doughty saw a free kick for the home side but Osho headed down and wide. Holgate was soon in the book too after he brought down Morris as he looked to get away. Luton won two quick corners in succession and then Lowe also gave away a free kick as the Hatters started to take control. The next spell saw the game played exclusively in the United half and Foderingham had to get down to take Doughty’s cross after good football.
Lowe’s give away saw Osborn take his man down but Robinson headed clear from the free kick before Burke’s long range effort clipped Souza for another corner. Bogle managed to get United out after an enterprising run from the back but soon after more ill discipline saw Hamer lazily drag his man back and United had another booking.
Luton had been the better side but had not tested Foderingham or really had any meaningful efforts and on 26 minutes, United should have led. Good work from Souza to head back into the area after a corner was not cleared saw Archer clear but he shanked his shot badly wide despite being one on one with the keeper. Fortunately, the chance did not play on his mind as only a minute later he made amends! ARCHER ran down the channel and held off Osho before darting towards goal and as no defender went across he gave Kaminsky the eyes and drilled it in at the near post to give the Blades the lead! It was an excellent and cool finish from the striker, especially after the sitter he had missed just before.
Luton tried to respond and Adebayo was not far off with a driven shot that went wide but United then were back on the attack in a much more even contest now. From a corner, Souza headed the ball goalwards but it looped into the hands of Kaminsky. However, the referee blew his whistle not long after before the ball had gone out as VAR had told him to look at his monitor for a possible handball. The replays showed the ball struck the raised hand of Burke. It may seem harsh in terms of him being close to the initial header, but these are decisions that are given currently and sure enough Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot after a quick check.
Once again Souza held the ball but it was MCATEE who took it and rolled it in cooly and United were incredibly leading by two goals; for the first time this season. In doing so they overtook the goals output from the relegated side of 2020-21 and would be hopeful of going past Derby’s dreadful points tally of 11 points – as the worst side in Premier League history.
With ten minutes of the half left United now were in confident mood and Morris pulled back Hamer, being the first home player to go in the book. Luton tried to find some life but were struggling to create much although Holgate blocked Adebayo’s shot leading to another corner. There were 5 minutes of stoppage time and a good chance came when Souza allowed Ogbene to cross too easily and Doughty’s driven shot was well blocked, this time from Bogle. The corner saw the header come in and as Foderingham flapped, there was a foul, on Bogle as a challenge came in when the ball dropped. The half time whistle came not long after.
The second half saw Luton start it, as they ended the first, winning a corner after Souza had gone down, seemingly winded. As the delivery came in, the ball was cleared but once again the game was stopped as there was another check for a penalty for handball. This time it was Souza who was adjudged to have his hands raised in the melee. The referee was told to go to his monitor and the inevitable then happened as the penalty is given. MORRIS took it and it this too was almost identical to McAtee’s as he rolled it to the left and sent Foderingham the wrong way.
Luton now sensed a comeback and Chong and Doughty played a one two and led to another corner but Osho headed over. Hamer then went down with an injury as Luton fans felt United were feigning injury to slow the game down. He could not carry on and Davies had to replace him.
On the hour mark, good work from Osborn led to a free kick and Davies took it but Souza conceded the foul. Davies was busy and looking to get involved at every opportunity. Luton now were well on top though and United were being forced back and contend to clear and regroup and struggled to get out at all. Morris tried a shot on the turn but his curling effort was pushed away before Bogle was the next man down as Doughty fell on him. He was able to carry on after treatment – If United had made the change, they would have used all their substitution windows up with 25 minutes left – so would have been pleased he could continue.
Townsend replaced Burke as Luton changed their formation, trying to get more bodies forward but despite dominating were not creating too many clear chances at all. They did create an opportunity when Chong’s clever ball inside Bogle caught the wing back out and Doughty was in but he badly overhit his cross with men over.
United made them pay with a rare break as Luton had men forward and Archer got away. It got stuck under his feet after a good initial run and the danger seemed to have been averted from the home side but Davies got a vital foot in and Osborn then saw the unmarked SOUZA and played him in. The Brazilian took a touch and smashed the ball into the far corner and United had restored their two-goal advantage with 20 minutes to play.
Barkley flicked a header over the bar but Luton won another corner soon after and the ball dropped to Adebayo and Foderingham made a smart save form close range to deny him at his feet. Brewster and Norwood replaced Archer and McAtee with 10 minutes of the game left and United were now trying to hold what they had. A silly foul from Holgate saw Barkley have a chance to get another cross in but Ahmedhodzic and Robinson made headed clearances in quick succession.
Chong had been influential in the second half and hit a curling effort not far off target as Foderingham scrambled across before Berry and Woodrow came on for Doughty and Morris. Woodrow immediately won a header at the back post but it was too high for Adebayo. Townsend’s shot was then easy for the United keeper as the game ticked into 9 minutes of stoppage time.
Foderingham caught one deep cross before Souza did superbly to sprint back and make the tackle and then clear the ball before soon after hooking away again. Brewster then tried an ambitious effort from half way when he would have been better keeping the ball but Luton did not create any more clear chances with one final ball in seeing Adebayo miscue and Foderingham pouched the ball.
The final whistle came and United could celebrate a win for the first time since early December and in doing so also overtook Derby’s pitiful 11-point haul and at least will not be known as the worst side in Premier League history. The Blades also scored three goals away from home for the first time since October 1993 – a 3-3 draw at the Dell!
United – Got to give a great deal of credit to Wilder and the team. Must have been an awful week with all the criticism they rightly got for the awful performance and result last week. They had been well and truly humiliated and embarrassed in front of the watching TV audience and had their own fans leaving in droves. It cannot have been easy for them to deal with but after what has probably been a long week, they gave a much better performance and of course incredibly won away from home! I did not think it was going to happen but this, despite Luton’s recent resurgence and form, was still the best chance we had of actually winning of a game!
I saw the line up and thought it would be a physical mis match and they would be too much for us but it did not quite go like that at all. We did not have much of the ball and Luton dominated but we almost sat back so they could not catch us on the break or use their pace and power. Think weirdly they might be better equipped away really despite all this hullabaloo about Kenilworth Road and the tight ground/advantage it gives. They had loads of the ball but did not do much with it at all and Wes only made a couple of proper saves all game.
I do not think United were outstanding and were still very wasteful with the ball and sat back too much and invited pressure but we battled, got our foot in, won headers, closed down and defended so much better this week, albeit versus lesser opposition. We just put more effort in and seemed more determined and not so easy to get through. Luton fans will say we went to ground and time wasted and a bit cynical (with a number of crude fouls) but we did what we needed to do. At least this week, we were not a soft touch. I still think there were lots of concerns (the amount of times we gave it away cheaply or just kicked it rather than trying to pass the ball and move up in stages/departments) would be punished versus better teams but we did show at times some good stuff going forward and were clinical with the few chances we had.
We did well first half in that we had a good early chance missed and then the RND injury must have rocked them a bit. Luton were well on top for a long period and won lots of corners and free kicks – some of it due to poor fouls or cheap giveaways but we did defend the high balls and some dangerous crosses well and not sure Wes had much to do at all? We then broke after being second best and looking like we could not get out to score a good goal, after Archer had missed the best chance of the game. So, for all Luton’s superiority, we had the three best chances and score one! We then get a corner and the penalty comes and we are two up! After this they huffed and puffed but overall, it was kind of the perfect first half in that we did not concede many chances – kept a decent shape and scored two goals. We were still not great on the ball and felt defended a bit deep but as I said before, maybe this was the plan? However, to say they had a number of physical advantages with height, I thought we did a good job and the three centre halves did better winning headers and making blocks.
After the half time, we have a penalty go against us, you kind of thought, ‘Here we go!’ I fully expected them to come back and draw or win. I sensed the weak mental fragility of our team and all the goals we have conceded in second halves of games this season. Luton did have a lot of the ball after this and we started to hit the deck, stopping the game and seemed a bit desperate. I thought for the first 20 minutes of the second half, we looked poor and sat back and were not even trying to keep the ball. I was shouting for the defence to get out but we seemed contend to defend but I was concerned a ball would drop or a chance would come and all the hard work we had done would be nothing but I only recall one Morris shot that was routine for Wes. Barkley was the main threat and they constantly looked for him to unlock us but we got men round him and Souza and Osborn harried him and made it hard for him to have much space. Chong was a threat and Doughty was always an outlet but they never really hurt us in terms of clear chances. They won lots of corner and had a lot of the ball. I just thought we cannot do this for the whole second half and after get up the field and we did and scored! Archer did well, as did Davies and Osborn to keep the ball alive but what a finish from Souza. He deserved that for an excellent performance where he put a lot of effort in all game.
After that they actually had more effort and a few balls did not quite drop but we made the game stop start and made more changes and Wes only made one really good save – from Adebayo. They once again had lots of corners but seemed to run out of steam. I was worried right up to the end though as our record to close games out has been appalling and you sensed if they got one, they’d get another. The nine minutes did not help but we saw it out comfortably really.
Just so nice to win. We are almost certainly down but the constant weekly bashing of us (from our own fans- include myself as much as the national media!) was hard to keep hearing but deserved as we have been so poor most of the season and out of our depth. If I was a neutral, I would be saying what is the point of them being here, they are just stinking up the league and almost accepted relegation before the season and have definitely done that, at the midpoint. Today the win predictor and all the pundits suggested Luton would keep their run going and suddenly had no chance. This hurts when we were easily in a better place than them when we got promoted, in terms of points last year and respective squads but you have to say they have been much better than us. They have recruited well and the manager has them playing to the maximum. I thought they would turn us over so I was glad I was wrong and the team came out and showed some energy, effort, and desire to get the result.
The metrics and stats suggest Luton were much better, especially second half but actually chances we had, we had as many, if not better ones than then and for all their possession, they did not really break us down. The defence, and the whole team, have to take credit as we closed down spaces and won those 50-50 tackles and challenges we have not done most of the season. As we get in front and then got the third, for the extra cushion, the desire seemed to increase and this is the opposite to what happened last week when the legs get heavy and it seems so hard – as Wilder alluded to.
I am not sure it makes much difference in the grand scheme of things in terms of us having any chance of staying up. We are pretty much down and do not see a run of 3 or 4 wins in the bounce we would need, especially when you see we have Brighton, Wolves and Arsenal next but at least we now have another win and a week when we are not being rubbished by all and sundry. We need a much better home performance after the two recent games saw us concede 5 and we need to be much tighter and more drilled as the back, showing better discipline – we did that today. For now, thought outside of the bigger picture, let’s just enjoy the victory.
Ratings:
Foderingham 6.5/10 – First half little to do really. Saw a header and a shot go past his post but cannot recall any saves he made. His kicking was poor again as he loops them up in the air. He then dropped a cross and luckily for him, they fouled Bogle after. Second half he was given more to do. The penalty went in and then he did make one routine save – I thought he was slow to get to the Morris shot and made a bit of a meal of it. After this he made an excellent save from Adebayo, diving at his feet. He then had a few easier things to do and another few crosses bouncing round. Not sure he was totally convincing again but he did make that big save at 1-2.
Bogle 6/10 – Started with a stupid foul and at times he makes poor decisions defensively but he did get us out a few times. He also made a few blocks too though. He was energetic in his contribution but at times he switches off and second half felt that Chong and Doughty got in too easily a few times as he was ball watching.
Norrington Davies – Real shame to see him go down and clearly in distress and you worry if it’s connected to his original injury (*Wilder says it is his other hamstring post game) and his reaction – in tears- concerns you. I am concerned it could be another long termer and such a shame with him just getting back after a year out. Another lengthy break and sadly, with him being out of contract, you sense his career with us might be done. Hope I am wrong and it’s not too bad.
Ahmedhodzic 7/10 – Much better in that he showed some desire and won headers and was more focused in stopping his man. He was tighter in everything he did. Still lost out a few times or guilty of letting free headers come in but he at least was much more resolute, as was the whole defence.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Committed performance where he won a number of crunching tackles and got his body in the way and won headers. He made us much solid at the back and against some strong and tall defenders, he did enough to limit them to few chances.
Holgate 6.5/10 – Defensively he did some really decent things and another who got his body on blocks and also made some good interceptions. He was much better than last week. However, he gave away a stupid booking a few other silly fouls and at times he tries to win it, when he should just jockey. Used the ball ok when he had it though.
Hamer 6/10 – First half he started quite well with some decent balls forward and he was one of the few looking to pass forward as we kind of seem penned in but he at least looked to get up the field. Played Archer in a few times. He did start to lose his influence before the break and then got injured soon into the second half and another who pulled up. The fitness and injury record is awful.
Souza 8/10 – Our man of the match. He was excellent all game. He did give the penalty away which was daft – having his hands up there, even if there was a slight push and once or twice did not get to his man (end of first half) but that are the only real negatives – the rest of the game, he worked so hard. He was always in on the action, winning headers, breaking things up and a threat when we did have a few attacks. Made the chance for Archer with the header on and then also contributed to the penalty. He continued to put a real shift in and the one I saw covering a lot of ground and just nicking the ball when we needed to. The third goal he took superbly and showed his commitment to get up and down. At the end he ran back a few times to make interceptions and was often the one hooking or clearing it away. He was really good and has been much better under Wilder. He still is quite slow and at times still stands off when defending but overall he has done much better after a shaky first 3 months with us. Blades fans will like you, if you put a shift in and show you care and he clearly has done that recently.
Osborn 7.5/10 – I have been quite critical of him and still feel he is way off for this level but today he was good and quietly had a pretty impressive game. He did what he had to in closing Barkley down and trying to stop them having time and showed good energy. He worked really hard and also when he had it, he tried to find a shirt and be sensible and composed. Involved in the third goal and just kept to a good position all game. He’s not a starter at Premier League level but today after the way the midfield were ran though, he gave us some solidity.
McAtee 6.5/10 – Nearly scored early on with a good effort and was busy but then we were forced to defend quite a bit and he saw less of it. He did always try and keep it and get us playing but we just ended up defending so much or not really trying to attack that his threat was negated. Taken off as we looked to see the game out. Showed good composure on the penalty.
Archer 7/10 – Worked hard in a kind of lone striker role with Hamer and McAtee trying to support him and then had that really good chance but badly missed it. However, credit to him as he got the ball straight after and was really positive, showing pace and strength and his finish was clinical. After this he did not see too much of the ball but again involved in the third as he ran through and then was able to help us keep the ball and allow men to support him.
Subs –
Lowe 5.5/10 – Thought he was our weakest defender. I am sure some may be critical but every time he had it, he seemed to give it away after he came on and was really sloppy. He threw one out from his own throw too! He was too far off his man time after time and seemed unable to realise he needed to get out and stop the cross. Suppose he did make a few clearances or interceptions but surprised Luton did not attack more down his side. Worrying that we may need to rely on him and Larouci if RND is out for a while.
Davies 7.5/10 – Like Osborn, thought he quietly did a good job after he came on and got on the ball when he could, he got tackles in and was able to limit their dangerous players and stopped the space they were trying to get into. Took a few decent free kicks and made the tackle to just get his toe in and help set it up for Osborn to feed Souza. He was nothing flash but he gave us some legs in that area and we at least had a decent shape where gaps were denied. Think he will start next week.
Norwood - Brought on to kind of keep the ball I suppose but at this point we were just defending what we had. Not sure he did much other than chip a few balls forward.
Brewster – Least he did not get sent off although I worried when he charged in at one point! He was supposed to chase and help us keep the ball but gave away a foul, lost a few 50-50’s and then tried a daft shot that have the ball back to them. Should not be near the side – but with McBurnie’s injury issues meaning he is barely available and Osula being still raw, we are forced to use him.
Manager: Wilder 7.5/10 – Got a reaction out of the team in that we showed some togetherness, spirit and managed to get the victory. The performance was not fantastic but we will argue we deserved the win in that we scored three goals and did not concede lots of chances, even if we had little of the ball and did defend a fair bit up to leading and then for a lot of the second half. He did make some changes but with BBD (he was at the City Ground watching Forest– why was he not with his team?) and McBurnie not available, we had a clear physical mismatch but brought Robinson back and had Osborn (and then Davies) and we were much more workmanlike and solid. 2-0 flattered us at the break but we took our chances and did not really have many going in at us. I was disappointed we stopped attacking and sat back after the break and felt better teams would have made us pay but we got the third with our first real attack and then saw it out. At the end of the day, we needed a better performance and for the players to actually show some desire and balls. They did that and we scored three goals away from home.
We tactically were much better in that we had a better shape too and made sure there not gaps to run through. We were better organised too and defensively we covered gaps and made it hard for them to create clear chances. We just had a more solid shape and the midfield was key to this, allowing the defence to have less to deal with, even if they had more of the ball.
Luton – Got to give them massive credit for the season they are having and the way they are having a real go. They have a clear identity and plan in games but still are executing it well. Most weeks their team is inferior but they have been right in most games and got better and better. They attack when they can and score goals and are not sitting back. They do have a physical edge and can be direct but in players like Barkley and Townsend have good footballers too. A number of the bigger lads are underrated too and always liked Adebayo who is an real handful too. They have rightly got a lot of praise.
They spent an awful lot less than we did and Burnley and are making a real fist of staying up. I still think ultimately they will just miss out and join us with all three promoted teams coming down. However I would not be shocked if they did manage to overhaul likes of Forest or Brentford (feel Everton and Palace will have too much and pull away).
I saw our line up today and winced as I thought they would blow us away but they had lots of corners and free kicks but we defended them well and they did not have many chances from them. They had loads of balls and surely won’t have that much possession again all season but almost seemed not to know what to do with it. The main tactic seemed to be get it will not Barkley and hope he created something? Morris scored but was not a threat and Adebayo had an off day. The first goal was awful as no one went to Archer – just after they had a let off- it was like a goal we have been conceding. The defence surely had to go to the ball! The third goal they get done on the break but that’s a bit of a mess too. They have been scoring but been conceding a fair few too. They kept plugging away and will feel the ball did not drop but in the end, did not do enough to get anything from the game despite having all the territory and ball – particularly second half. I think they would have got something, if we had not scored that third when we did and it might have been a draw at least but that killed them. It’s a big defeat for them in the scheme of things as they would have seen today as a game they could win and have lost to the bottom side.
They had 13 corners to 1 and 75% possession, and 20 shots to 7 but only 5 to 3 on target. In truth, the stats make it seem like they dominated but they did not in the key areas (big chances and goals) and felt like they kind of run out of steam.
Opponent Man of the Match – Barkley was the focal point and did some good bits but got crowded out and was kind of relied on too much. Adebayo is a handful but nothing really worked today. Doughty is a threat but was wasteful today. The best player was Chong who was good on the ball and always busy and felt most good things they did came from him. Townsend had a few crosses and shots and surprised he did not start.
Opponent Weak link – Defensively they looked suspect. Burke was poor and they hooked him in the end after he lost Archer twice and gave away the penalty. When you see them putting on the likes of Berry and Woodrow (average Champ players really – no offence) who are on a par with likes of Osborn and Norwood – you feel better about your chances and the few times a team has a comparable lack of squad depth.
Referee/Officials – Chris Kavanagh. Thought he went to his book a bit early but we did commit a few cynical ones. In the end he only booked three (two to us and one to them) and after the break there were not many fouls or tackles at all. The penalties were the big talking points. I think both were a bit soft but suppose you have your hands up – but not sure the efforts were far enough away for them to be penalties – I would not have an issue if neither was given. I just think penalties result too easy these days. Once he gives the first, he has to give the second. The counter argument again, is why put your hands up there? The referee was told to look at the monitor and you wonder why they go through this charade – I’d rather them just tell him to give it as they never go and look and change their mind? The way they stand and look for a while, as if they are saying, ‘I better wait and not make it so obvious I am going to give it!’
Amusing to hear the Luton fans complaining about our players going down and timewasting as they did the same at the Lane when 1-0 up. I think it would be annoying when so many of ours kept hitting the deck but to be fair they are just weak and injury prone rather than trying to cheat and two did come off! They booed RND which was not great but think they are still annoyed he chose to go to Stoke rather than stay with them when he was on a loan a few years ago.
