'A fox in the box' - what the pundits said about goalscoring hero Billy Sharp and Sheffield United's win over West Brom

Sheffield United’s slim chances of pulling off the great escape in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League received a huge boost with a vital 2-1 win over fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion.
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Blades legend Billy Sharp’s 73rd minute winner secured three much-needed points for Chris Wilder’s men in the battle of the basement boys at Bramall Lane last night.

Matt Phillips had given the Baggies a first half lead before summer signing Jayden Bogle equalised to set up a grandstand finish which eventually saw United emerge victorious.

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Victory sees United reach 11 points, equalling Derby County's record for the season when they were relegated with the lowest tally in Premier League history in 2007/08, but also move to within a point of second-bottom West Brom.

They’re also now 10 points from fourth-from-bottom Brighton & Hove Albion, who face a daunting trip to champions Liverpool this evening.

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"There's still a long way to go, and I'm not getting carried away at all,” said Wilder after the game.

"We have a huge challenge in front of us still. Next up, Chelsea!

Billy Sharp scores Sheffield United's winner in the 2-1 victory against West Brom at Bramall Lane last night (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Billy Sharp scores Sheffield United's winner in the 2-1 victory against West Brom at Bramall Lane last night (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Billy Sharp scores Sheffield United's winner in the 2-1 victory against West Brom at Bramall Lane last night (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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"Whoever you play, it's incredibly challenging and you have to face that. But as I've said, and as other managers have said about us, we're alive and fighting and that's all we can do. We'll try and do that again at the weekend.”

But what did the pundits make of last night’s win?

Let’s take a look.

Gabby Agbonlahor, former Aston Villa striker and guest on talkSPORT Breakfast with Laura Woods

“I really want them to (stay up). There was something about them last night, especially in the second half. That’s the Sheffield United that we’re used to watching the last couple of seasons.

"That’s the Sheffield United where Basham is overlapping and getting into the box and making things happen. That was the Sheffield United that everyone is used to seeing.

“I just hope they’ve not left it too late. If they can play like that and the way they played against Manchester United, there’s no reason why they can’t put some wins together and give it a real go.

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"They battered West Bromwich Albion in the second half, I couldn’t believe it. It didn’t look like two teams that were at the bottom of the table – Sheffield United looked like a team in mid-table and West Brom at the bottom.

"They ran the most in the game, they made the most tackles and they were outstanding for me. If they can keep that up, why can’t they go and beat teams like they did last season – even the big teams, why not?”

Ally McCoist, ex-Rangers and Scotland striker and talkSPORT Breakfast with Laura Woods presenter

“Do you know what it would be (if they stayed up)? It would be Steve McQueen-esque. It would be Colditz and Stalag Luft III rolled into one. That’s how big that escape would be.”

Jermaine Jenas, former Newcaster United midfielder and BT Sport studio guest

"They’ve given themselves a chance. They’ve got hope now and you can see in their celebrations that this was a big one for them. You know the team that came out in the first half looked lost, played with fear and had no real direction.

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"The team that came out in the second half was an animal. They really fought for their win and I thought they thoroughly deserved it. They were brilliant in that second half.

"(Billy Sharp) knows his role in this football team, and (his goal) was it to a tee. A fox in the box. Any bits and pieces dropping around and he’s there to stick them in.

"That is potentially one of the biggest goals in his Sheffield United career.”

Owen Hargreaves, ex-Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder and BT Sport studio guest

“They really pushed. In the first half they had no urgency. They had loads of the ball but didn’t really get it in the box. In the second half the ball was in the box at all times. They flooded the box and they got what they deserved.”

Dion Dublin, former Manchester United striker and Match of the Day studio guest

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“It was like Sheffield United of old, wasn’t it? They had lots of energy. Everybody in a Sheffield United shirt in the second half contributed something, holding the ball up, getting crosses in. Basham was making sure that he gets into a forward-thinking position.

"Look how many players Sheffield United got in the box (in the second half). They made the pitch look as big as possible and made West Brom work incredibly hard to get the ball back.

"They would always try to get the ball into the box and into dangerous areas. They did it time after time.”

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