Sheff Utd edge past Wolves to win first game of the season
The visitors were without the division’s leading assist-maker in Pedro Neto, and their lack of cutting edge was all too evident in a turgid first half in Yorkshire. It was Gary O’Neil’s men who had the only effort on the target of the opening 45 minutes though, as Wes Foderingham tipped Matheus Cunha’s effort over the bar.
The Blades were blunt, attempting just one shot all half, and were fortunate that Wolves weren’t more ruthless before the break.
Hwang Hee-chan’s mishit shot inside the area dropped invitingly to Rayan Aït-Nouri, but the wing-back fluffed his lines and could only prod out of play in a perfect summary of the lack of quality on display.
The swirling wind and driving rain only added to the spectators' misery as any endeavour from the visitors disappeared. Paul Heckingbottom’s men were getting a foothold on proceedings, and as the game entered the final 20 minutes, the Blades scored the opening goal for just the second time in the PL this season.
Toti’s clearance ricocheted into the path of Cameron Archer who fired a sensational strike past José Sá via the underside of the bar to send Bramall Lane wild.
Wolves had been toothless in the second period, and a comeback never looked like materialising until a moment of magic from Bellegarde at the death.
After the Blades had failed to clear a cross, the ball dropped to the Frenchman on the edge of the area to fire an effort on the turn into the top corner to break Sheffield United hearts.
Those wounds would be healed in dramatic fashion though, as Fabio Silva’s trip on George Baldock controversially earned the hosts a late spot-kick. Norwood stepped up in the 10th minute of stoppage time and rifled home a last-gasp winner for Heckingbottom’s men, who sensationally moved to within two points of safety as Wolves’ five-match unbeaten run came to an end.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Cameron Archer (Sheffield United)
