Heading towards the final stages of the 2023/24 Premier League season, Sheffield United find their desperate need for points continually intensifying – and Chris Wilder’s side would see Saturday’s match against mid-table Bournemouth as an incredible opportunity to narrow the gap to safety.
BOU: Neto; Kerkez, Zabarnyi, Mepham, Smith; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Solanke
SHU: Grbić; Robinson, Trusty, Baldock; Osborne, Hamer, Arblaster, Davies, Bogle; Brereton Díaz, McBurnie
Having fallen victim to a thrashing at the hands of a merciless Arsenal side earlier this week, Sheffield United appeared to be a rejuvenated side on the South Coast.
The Cherries should have taken the lead after fourteen minutes though, with Dominic Solanke caught inside the box by Tom Davies but skying the resulting spot-kick after slipping during his run-up.
That blunder provided the perfect opportunity for the Blades, and they seized the lead just before the half-hour mark through Gustavo Hamer. It was one of the easiest goals he’d ever score, merely tapping past Neto after the goalkeeper had parried Jayden Bogle’s initial effort into his path.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt would be another error from Neto in the second half that saw Sheffield United double their lead, as Neto’s attempted punched clearance struck Solanke, allowing Jack Robinson to scramble and force an effort over the line – via a handy deflection off the post.
But the Cherries never let their heads drop, and they looked to have halved the deficit just three minutes later when Solanke found the back of the net, seemingly making amends for his earlier penalty miss. VAR had other ideas though, chalking the goal off after the forward was found to have handled the ball on the edge of the six-yard box.
Dango Ouattara’s thunderous header couldn’t be disallowed though, and it provided Bournemouth with the wind in their sails that they needed to force a sensational comeback – with Enes Unal completing the feat in the 91st minute to deny Sheffield United a crucial victory.
unalThe Blades move above Burnley at the foot of the Premier League table, but remain some way from safety ahead of their next match against Fulham on March 30. Bournemouth do not have that long to wait before their return to Premier League action, as they host Luton Town on Wednesday.
