Sheffield United 1-0 Huddersfield Town: Billy Sharp off the mark as Blades move level at top
- Published
- comments
Sheffield United skipper Billy Sharp scored his first goal since 8 March
Sheffield 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.
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"There were some really pleasing bits - the first half was exactly what we wanted. It was really good.
"The message at half-time was that the only people who could beat us was ourselves, no disrespect to Huddersfield.
"We weren't as tidy with the ball, we never really put it behind them as much. Second half took the gloss off it a bit.
"I was comfortable on the side, in terms of how we defended the box, but it was a game of two halves; exceptional first half and getting the job done second half.
"When there's only one goal in it, it doesn't matter how well you're playing, you have to be prepared to defend, to do everything right, because you know the opposition are going to get chances.
"We'd have loved a second goal, it would have changed the complexion of the game, but it didn't so we had to stay strong and defend our box well."
Huddersfield boss Mark Fotheringham told BBC Radio Leeds:
"I'm feeling really proud of the performance of the lads in the second half. They looked the fitter, stronger team, and pretty much penned Sheffield United in.
"We really frustrated Sheffield for the majority of the game. They had very little chances and the one they did get we could have dealt with better.
"If we play like that against the teams around us it's going to be very interesting to see how we end the season.
"We've been a team in mid-table form, I said to the lads 'forget about what happened earlier in the season, you're a different animal now.' We could see that in the second half.
"The last 15-20 minutes we were absolutely the fitter, stronger, more aggressive team. We were the team playing on the front foot and it wasn't anything to do with Sheffield United taking their foot off the gas, it was because we were coming on so strong.
"You can see the training is coming to the fore now, and I am very happy with this group."