2 years ago
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Sheffield United skipper Billy Sharp scored his first goal since 8 MarchSheffield United moved level on points with Championship leaders Burnley with a narrow victory over bottom side Huddersfield at Bramall Lane.
A fast Blades start was rewarded when Iliman Ndiaye, back from World Cup duty with Senegal, released Billy Sharp to chip a smart finish over Town goalkeeper Lee Nicholls.
Huddersfield improved after the break, but United were good value for the win and Ndiaye went closest after the break when he shot straight at Nicholls.
A second goal would have sent the Blades top on goal difference above Burnley, who return to action at QPR on Sunday (13:00 GMT).
United, who had four wins in five before the World Cup break, enjoyed more than 70% possession in the first half and numerous attempts on goal, but had only two on target, both from Sharp, who saw an early effort kept out by Nicholls.
Boss Paul Heckingbottom chose to start Ndiaye days after his return from Qatar, and the move was swiftly vindicated when his burst out of midfield and through-ball sent Sharp clear to end his 20-game goal drought.
The Terriers failed to test home keeper Wes Foderingham until 10 minutes into the second half and then it was a comfortable stop from Duane Holmes.
The improving visitors grew in confidence, with Aston Villa loanee Kaine Kesler-Hayden firing a half-volley wide of the post, but the hosts' lead never seriously looked in danger despite their lack of a cutting edge.
A late penalty appeal for a possible John Egan handball was rightly turned down, and Michal Helik was inches away from meeting Brahima Diarra's dangerous ball in stoppage time as Huddersfield failed to score for the sixth time in eight matches.
It condemned them to a seventh away defeat of the season, which left them four points adrift at the bottom.
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 18Foderingham
- 15AhmedhodzicBooked at 83mins
- 12Egan
- 26Clark
- 2BaldockBooked at 73mins
- 16Norwood
- 23Osborn
- 3Stevens
- 28McAteeSubstituted forBergeat 65'minutes
- 29NdiayeSubstituted forMcBurnieat 81'minutes
- 10SharpSubstituted forKhadraat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Davies
- 6Basham
- 8Berge
- 9McBurnie
- 11Khadra
- 13Lowe
- 20Bogle
Huddersfield
Formation 3-4-3
- 21Nicholls
- 32Lees
- 39Helik
- 12Boyle
- 16HaydenSubstituted forSimpsonat 78'minutes
- 18KasumuSubstituted forHoggat 45'minutesBooked at 59mins
- 22Rudoni
- 14RuffelsSubstituted forRhodesat 88'minutes
- 7ThomasBooked at 31mins
- 25Ward
- 19HolmesSubstituted forDiarraat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Hogg
- 9Rhodes
- 27Simpson
- 30Jackson
- 35Diarra
- 41Bilokapic
- 47Ayina
Referee:Darren Bond
Attendance:27,794
Live Text
Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Huddersfield Town 0.
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Huddersfield Town 0.
Offside, Sheffield United. Ciaran Clark tries a through ball, but Reda Khadra is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Sander Berge (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Oliver McBurnie.
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Jordan Rhodes replaces Josh Ruffels.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Sorba Thomas.
John Egan (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tyreece Simpson (Huddersfield Town).
Attempt missed. John Egan (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by William Boyle.
Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
George Baldock (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Brahima Diarra (Huddersfield Town).
Attempt saved. Reda Khadra (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Oliver Norwood.
Substitution, Sheffield United. Reda Khadra replaces Billy Sharp.
Substitution, Sheffield United. Oliver McBurnie replaces Iliman Ndiaye.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by William Boyle.
Attempt blocked. John Egan (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jonathan Hogg.
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Tyreece Simpson replaces Kaine Hayden.
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