Bold Sheffield United record a very big win over Sunderland as gamble pays off

After falling behind to a Sunderland team they had dominated for long-periods of the first-half, Paul Heckingbottom’s side took a deep breath, dusted themselves down and produced exactly the type of response required to reinvigorate a push for promotion which had seemed in danger of petering-out.

“The boys were excellent,” the United manager said, after efforts from James McAtee and Tommy Doyle following Edouard Michut’s strike strengthened his team’s grip on second place. “They did what they had to and showed what they’re about.”

Six points clear of Middlesbrough with nine matches remaining, United’s comeback provoked a collective groan across Teesside. It is still too early to talk of defining moments in campaigns. But the chronology of the goals, which justified some bold selection picks, made this feel like one with McAtee in particular excellent.

A big match demanded big calls and Heckingbottom made plenty, drafting Doyle, McAtee, George Baldock and Daniel Jebbison back into his starting eleven. Oli McBurnie’s omission could be explained by the fact he made the journey to Wearside one caution away from a ban. But even though United had looked leggy during their defeat by Luton Town, the decision to name Oliver Norwood on the bench was a gamble. One which paid off in perfect fashion, with two of those changes helping to inspire a gutsy performance laced with no little skill.

Fears last night’s fixture might prove to be a war of attrition quickly evaporated. James McAtee, another of those recalled in order to turbo-charge the visitors, saw a shot blocked at one end only seconds after kick-off. Sunderland immediately responded with an attempt of their own; Trai Hume’s low drive being parried by Wes Foderingham following the most rapid of rapid counter-attacks.

But the best chance of the opening exchanges fell to McBurnie’s replacement. Despite shuffling into position after Iliman Ndiaye’s dexterity had hauled United up the pitch, Jebbison couldn’t thread the ball between Anthony Patterson and the far post. Another opportunity arose soon after and Ndiaye, whose cross was simply begging to be turned home, looked less than impressed when it wasn’t. Again, Jebbison was the intended target. But the Senegalese’s reaction didn’t do justice to the brilliance of Luke O’Nien’s interception.

Sunderland enjoyed another escape midway through the opening period. It nearly proved pivotal, with Michut exploiting a lapse in concentration to break the deadlock soon after Hume had been shown a yellow card rather than red for a scything challenge on Jebbison. Abdoullah Ba’s slide rule pass carved apart United’s rearguard and the midfielder did the rest.

O’Nien’s block apart, Sunderland’s defending had been unconvincing. But United’s equaliser was perfectly crafted rather than born out of chaos, with Baldock surging forward and finding McAtee, who then breezed past a marker before picking his spot perfectly.

Jebbison resisted the temptation to cast a glare in Ndiaye’s direction when he failed to convert with only Patterson to beat early in the second-half. No matter as Doyle put United in front soon after, threading a free-kick through a crowd of players and into the far corner of the Sunderland net.

Patrick Roberts later struck a post but Heckingbottom’s men warranted their result.

Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, Batth ©, O’Nien (Ekwah 87), Neil, Michut (Gooch 72), Roberts, Ba (Lihadji 72), Clarke, Gelhardt (Pritchard 72). Not used: Bass, Bennette, Pritchard, Anderson.

Sheffield United: Foderingham, Baldock (Bogle 79), Lowe, Robinson, Egan ©, Ahmedhodzic, Doyle (Norwood 79), Berge, McAtee (Fleck 79), Ndiaye (Sharp 90), Jebbison (McBurnie 70). Not used: Davies, Basham.

Referee: Matthew Donohue (Greater Manchester).

Attendance: 37,019.