Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Sheffield Utd - Wolves win to leapfrog Chelsea, West Ham & Newcastle in Premier League table
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 25/02/2024 at 16:16 GMT
Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Sheffield United 1-0 in the Premier League at Molineux. The win sees Gary O’Neil’s men leapfrog Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle up into eighth spot in the table. The only goal of the game came in the first half, when Pablo Sarabia headed home. Sheffield United were the better team in the second half, but could not fashion a leveller.
Pablo Sarabia of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United at Molineux on February 25, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Pablo Sarabia headed home the first-half winner as Wolves moved into the top half of the table with a fortunate 1-0 victory over battling bottom side Sheffield United at Molineux.
The Spanish midfielder timed his run to perfection to power the ball into the net with a deft finish on 30 minutes from Rayan Ait-Nouri's fine cross to earn three points they barely deserved.
Chris Wilder's United blew several chances to earn at least a draw from the afternoon with James McAtee and Rhian Brewster both blowing chances to give them the lead before they enjoyed the better of the second-half pressure while failing to find a finish.
After a 2-1 win at Tottenham last week, Gary O'Neil's side move up to eighth in the table with 38 points from 26 matches, while relegation-haunted United remain bottom behind Burnley on goal difference with 13 points from 26 outings.
Talking Point: Blades earn plaudits, but no points
The home fans began singing: "That's why you're going down" when Gus Hamer bizarrely made a mess of a free-kick by chipping the ball into no man's land in the closing moments from 20 yards out.
But Chris Wilder's side will lose their Premier League status this season not because of one incident, but due to a fairly tragic body of work over the course of the campaign.
They have lost more goals from crosses, 17 over the season, than any other side in the division, while conceding a whopping 66 goals after 26 games. Which is a record low in the Premier League era.
The Blades also don't score enough, and wasted plenty of opportuities to salvage a draw as Molineux grew increasingly nervy, impatient and unhappy the longer the day progressed.
Earning plaudits rather than points is not what they need at this stage of the season with title-chasing Arsenal due at Bramall Lane next Monday.
Player of the Match: Pablo Sarabia (Wolves)
Made the key difference with an excellent finish from a match that could have gone either way. A potent performance alongside Pedro Neto in the final third, and deserved his standing ovation from the home fans when he was replaced by Matt Doherty in the closing minutes. Also showed fine sportsmanship after holding up the ball when Vini Souza went down suffering from cramp and visiting keeper Grbic out of his goal.
Player Ratings
Wolves: Sa 7, Kilman 6, Dawson 8, Toti 6, Semedo 7, Lemina 6, Joao Gomes 6, Ait-Nouri 7, Sarabia 8, Neto 7, Hwang 7 Subs: Doherty 6, Doyle 6, Bellegarde 6
Sheffield United: Grbic 7, Trusty 7, Ahmedhodzic 7, Robinson 7, Bogle 7, Hamer 7, Souza 7, Norwood 7, Larouci 7, McAtee 7, Brewster 7 Subs: Davies 6, Osborn 6, Osula 6, McBurnie 6
Match Highlights
25' CHANCE FOR UNITED ON THE BREAK Rhian Brewster darts clear on the counter attack with Wolves cut open at the back, but he takes too long as his shot flies well over under pressure from Tote Gomes. Superb move, but no finish to go with it.
29' ANOTHER BRILLIANT BREAK BY BLADES James McAtee with another run from deep as Wolves are caught up the park. Gets away from the defence, but the finish lacks pace as the shot at goal is held by José Sá. Tame effort really.
30' GOAL! (SARABIA) WOLVES 1-0 SHEFFIELD UTD Pablo Sarabia rises to head into the net from close range after a lovely Rayan Aït-Nouri cross. That is a fine finish. And it is a 1-0 lead for Wolves.
39' VAR LOOKING AT VIOLENT CONDUCT Between two visiting players as Souza and Robinson have a few words off the ball. And seems to push each other. Wilder looks completely bemused. Thankfully no further action taken.
58' BREWSTER ALMOST IN FOR LEVELLER Does well to fire a shot at goal. Wasn't easy to get that on target, but the volley was low and hard from the McAtee cross. Sa equal to the task in making the stop. Blades a lot brighter in this second period.
81' SPORTSMANSHIP IN EFFECT Vini Souza goes down with cramp and Pablo Sarabia opts to hold up the ball rather than play on. Much to the relief of Blades keeper Grbic, who was out of his goal.
Key Stat
Scan me
Share this article