Night to remember for 8/10 Sheffield United star man as Blades' recent resurgence continues with 4-0 Stoke City rout
Night to remember for 8/10 Sheffield United star man as Blades' recent resurgence continues with 4-0 Stoke City rout
Sheffield United’s recent resurgence continued this afternoon as they stuck four goals past Stoke City without reply at Bramall Lane. It was United’s fourth win in a row, with 13 goals now scored in that period and three clean sheets.
Mark McGuinness and Femi Seriki scored their first United goals to put the Blades in command, before Patrick Bamford made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time. Sydie Peck netted a third in as many games from the penalty spot in the second to put the gloss on the scoreline.
The only downside for the Blades was McGuinness making way at the break with an injury but otherwise it was another memorable afternoon for the Blades which suggested their season still has life to it yet. Here’s how we rated United’s players...
Michael Cooper 7
Pretty much a spectator for almost the entirety of the first half but what impressed me was a moment right on the stroke of half-time, when Stoke had a rare attack and swung a dangerous ball into the box from the left.
After what happened at Leicester last time out you could have forgiven Cooper for staying at home but he was brave and decisive, making sure he got to the ball and then made good contact despite colliding with McGuinness as he did so.
His first real save came just after the hour mark when he blocked Mubama’s header with his body to preserve the Blades’ lead and otherwise he was untroubled as he banked another clean sheet
Femi Seriki 8
After watching his pal Peck end his 65-game wait for a first senior goal a week and a half ago, it was Seriki’s turn in this one as he doubled the Blades’ lead in the first half. And what a goal it was, the youngster curling into the far corner to give Johansson no chance.
Equally as impressive as the finish was the composure, after the ball dropped to him on the edge of the box. Most players, especially younger ones, would have snatched at it but Seriki had the presence of mind to turn his man and create a better angle for himself, before doing the rest.
His afternoon work didn’t end there, setting up Bamford’s third after a lovely give-and-go with Peck which saw the right-back use his pace and perseverence to keep the ball in and put it right onto the head of a grateful striker for his second in as many Bramall Lane games. Such a danger going down that right
Mark McGuinness 7.5
Handed a recall to the side in Mee’s absence with a hand injury and he marked it at the other end of the field with a well-timed run and header, albeit unchallenged, which gave Johansson no chance.
McGuinness had had a sighter not long earlier, when he nodded over the Stoke crossbar from another corner as early as the sixth minute, before he caught a whack from the boot of Mubama as he went down and had some medical treatment on his left ankle area.
But he initially came back onto the field after a spell on the sidelines and nearly grabbed a second goal soon after with three near carbon copies of his first, meeting Hamer's right-wing corner but not managing to direct his header as well those times around.
Later he made way at the break, presumably with the after-effects of that Mubama injury, and United will hope it isn’t anything too serious with Mee and Godfrey also out
Japhet Tanganga 7
Another classy display from the United skipper, who combines old-school ‘proper’ defending with a real calmness that sees him never get flustered even in the most dangerous of situations. Did so well to protect Cooper and when Stoke did get through, Cooper stood up to the challenge as well.
Went close to going on the scoresheet later on when he rose highest to meet a corner with a remarkable leap and powered a header towards goal, but it was narrowly over
Sam McCallum 7
Given a few edgy moments early on by the lively Manhoef but he settled after that and put in another accomplished display full of energy down the left flank. He combined superbly with Hamer at times to give United a real threat down that side and he never seemed to tire, either
Jairo Riedewald 7
The Dutchman put in what is quickly becoming a typical performance for him in the middle of midfield - calm, composed, not catching the eye or doing anything outrageous like a Hamer or an O’Hare but doing the simple things well and keeping United ticking over.
His defensive discipline is superb, offering vital protection to McCallum particularly on the rare occasions when Stoke looked to get forward and he earned a deserved ovation when he made way for Soumare to protect his legs at the start of another three-game week
Sydie Peck 7.5
After his first Lane goal 10 days ago, and then a superb volley to make it two from two at Leicester, the logical next step was to score in front of the Kop and Peck ticked that one off here after the Blades won another penalty which he dispatched with real composure.
Earlier he had played a lovely one-two with his academy teammate Seriki for Bamford’s goal but it was a brilliantly executed sliding tackle with 20 minutes to go, which won the ball and a throw-in, which drew almost a bigger cheer from the Lane faithful who are mostly behind the young man in the middle of the park.
A few words with Lawal followed which further showed Peck’s commitment to the cause, even at 3-0 ahead and the Blades cruising on their way to a fourth successive win. He even looked in the mood to add to his goal tally, seeing a curling effort blocked in the second half before it could trouble Johansson
Gus Hamer 7.5
Back in the side from the start for the first time since he returned from injury recently and took the place of United’s best player this season in Callum O’Hare. It was a big decision from boss Wilder but only reinforced the strength in depth available to him in certain areas, and the dilemmas he is chasing in others.
Wowed the crowd with a lovely shift of weight to breeze past a couple of Stoke opponents earlier in the game and was found in acres of space by McCallum to almost pick out Bamford in the middle for 2-0, before Wilmot booted clear.
His set-piece delivery was always a threat from either flank, picking out McGuinness at will and with the Blades’ first two goals either directly or indirectly coming from his corners from either flank. Tested Johansson’s reflexes later with a well-struck effort before making way for O’Hare
Andre Brooks 7
Another impressive display from the United academy man down the right, with only one thought in his mind when he picks up the ball and looks to beat his man. It doesn’t always come off but that doesn’t deter him, which is an impressive trait for a youngster.
He was unfortunate not to get the goal his display deserved, going close on a few occasions before he was felled by Phillips after being sent through on goal by a lovely Campbell backheel.
Earlier he almost squeezed a second past Johansson at the near post after another fearless run forward saw his effort deflect off the leg of Wilmot before the Stoke ‘keeper just about got down to his left to palm it behind
Went close again just before the hour mark when a lovely United move saw Bamford spread it across the face of goal for Brooks, but he couldn’t get enough on the ball under pressure from a closing defender. Booked later on for a slightly late challenge on Bocat on the south stand touchline which was his only misstep of the game
Patrick Bamford 7.5
Restored to the starting line-up after a good cameo off the bench against Leicester at the weekend and he justified the call with his second goal in as many Bramall Lane games, a poacher’s effort well-directed into the far corner after Seriki did superbly to pick him out.
Earlier Bamford had played a key part in the build-up to McGuinness’s opener as he stuck the ball through the legs of Wilmot and then won the corner from which the big centre-half rose highest to nod home. He ran the channels superbly in a proper No.9 display, earning a deserved standing ovation when he made way for Cannon
Tyrese Campbell 7
Booed again by the fans who used to support him behind one goal on the Bramall Lane end and he looked determined to shut them up with another goal against his former club, although it never materialised.
The closest he came was a lovely drag-back and backheel to send Brooks free on goal before he was fouled by former Blades target Phillips and Peck stepped up to do the rest from the penalty spot
Subs: Tyler Bindon 7.5
Came off the bench at half-time for his first football since the end of August and was quickly into his work, with some brave defending snuffing out some danger and earning him a whack from Mubama - but some high-fives from Cooper, Seriki, Tanganga and Peck as well.
Then did superbly to block a follow-up effort from Manheof that would have troubled Cooper after he made a save with his body from Mubama’s header and he was so dominant aerially that he earns a rare high mark for a substitute, potentially giving Wilder another option at the back going forward