Why Paul Heckingbottom believes his Sheffield United players deserve credit after beating Brighton

Paul Heckingbottom believes his Sheffield United players deserve “the utmost credit” for the way they have handled themselves, speaking after his side recorded a long-overdue first win under his temporary stewardship.
John Egan of Sheffield Utd shakes hands with Lewis Dunk of Brighton: Simon Bellis / SportimageJohn Egan of Sheffield Utd shakes hands with Lewis Dunk of Brighton: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
John Egan of Sheffield Utd shakes hands with Lewis Dunk of Brighton: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 at Bramall Lane thanks to David McGoldrick’s winner and although it came too late to have an effect on their survival hopes, which ended last week with defeat at Wolves, Heckingbottom says his side deserved the result.

“The players deserve the utmost credit,” he said.

“We spoke about questions being asked of us, so for them it’s justice and the right result for their attitude.

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“It’s been a tough season but not once have they given in, and it’s nice for us to get the rub of the green. We deserved the three points.

“For us it was about being clinical and doing our jobs, one-on-one. We said all season that we’ve been in top and missed opportunities, and then been punished. So to go in front makes a big difference. Then we had to defend and put our bodies on the line.

“We want to win for the fans. We know what’s happened, we’re a Championship club next season, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to give everything between now and the end of the season. We might be planning for next season but we have to pick up points and give performances like that.”

Jakub Moder thought he had dragged Brighton on level terms in the second half when he turned the ball past the excellent Aaron Ramsdale, but a VAR check showed that he was offside when Adam Webster headed the ball on.

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