Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheff Utd: Key statspublished at 22:28 30 January
22:28 30 January
Crystal Palace have won four consecutive league games against Sheffield United for the first time since August 1991.
Sheffield United have won just 10 points from their opening 22 Premier League games this season, which is the Blades’ second-worst ever points tally at this stage of a league season in the top four tiers (after only six points at this stage in 1975-76).
Including two tonight, Michael Olise has assisted Eberechi Eze seven times in the league, the joint-most one Crystal Palace player has assisted a single teammate in the competition, along with Andros Townsend for Christian Benteke and James McArthur for Wilfried Zaha.
Ben Brereton’s opener after just 20 seconds was Sheffield United's earliest ever goal in the Premier League on record (since 2006-07), while it was also the quickest ever goal on record that Crystal Palace have conceded in the competition.
Full-time: Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheff Utdpublished at 22:06 30 January
22:06 30 January
Michael Olise scored the winning goal on his return from injury as Crystal Palace came from behind twice to secure a vital win over Sheffield United in the Premier League at Selhurst Park.
Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?
It’s been a muddled transfer window from Sheffield United, signalling a club seemingly caught between knowing the prudence of preparing for next season and also wanting to at least be competitive for the rest of this one.
The Blades have spent money on a goalkeeper, Ivo Grbic, with all three of our other goalkeepers out of contract in the summer. Hopefully Grbic will be a success, but the fact that our previous number one, Wes Foderingham, has immediately requested a loan move away suggests that signing his replacement was either a snap decision or poorly communicated internally.
Bringing in highly rated youngster Sam Curtis also looks a good move for the future, as does the ongoing contract negotiations with academy products Oliver Arblaster and Dan Jebbison.
Cutting ties with on-loan Luke Thomas made sense and that frees up a precious domestic loan slot. However, four weeks later and we still haven't used it, as another two potentially winnable Premier League games drift by.
The only other incoming so far has been Ben Brereton Diaz, who certainly looks like improving us in the short term. But that's also the problem: he's only here for the short term, with no option to buy at the end of his loan spell.
His signing sticks out like a sore thumb, particularly as he was brought in at the start of the window as United dipped further into their allocation of overseas loans.
I thought it was going to signal the club making a clutch of short-term, low-cost additions to at least save face the rest of the way.
Instead, there is only one more expected arrival, albeit on loan, which leaves me wondering what the point is?
It felt like the options were to either accept the inevitable and spend as little as possible, or rage against the dying of the light and spend a modest amount to get better for the last few months of the season.
In the end, we have committed to neither transfer plan.
Crystal Palace v Sheff Utd: Sutton's predictionspublished at 12:25 30 January
12:25 30 January
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.
For this week's midweek games - on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - he takes on Chelsea fan Matthew Vaughn, director of new spy film Argylle.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
This is a massive game for Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder because of how badly his side need a result, but it is also huge for Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
I just wonder what the atmosphere will be like at Selhurst Park and whether the Eagles fans will really get behind Hodgson after their protests against Arsenal in their last league game.
They need to, whatever they think about the overall direction of the club, because Palace are in danger of getting dragged into the relegation mire.
On the pitch, the return of Michael Olise from injury would be a massive boost for Hodgson and, if he is fit enough to start, he will probably be the difference-maker in this one, along with Eberechi Eze.
Sheffield United won't lack commitment - we know that - but again it is a lack of quality that lets them down. I've spoken about Nottingham Forest and Everton becoming desperate, but the Blades are bottom of the table and are already at that stage.
Vaughn's prediction: Both of these teams are struggling so I am going to go for a draw. 0-0
Crystal Palace v Sheffield United: Pick of the statspublished at 17:31 29 January
17:31 29 January
Crystal Palace have won their past three Premier League games against Sheffield United, keeping a clean sheet each time. They last won four consecutive league games against the Blades between 1987 and 1991.
The Blades have won just one of their last six away league games against Palace, a 1-0 victory in the Premier League in February 2020.
All seven Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Sheffield United have been won, with the winning side keeping a clean sheet each time. It is the most played fixture in the competition's history to never have both teams score in a game.
The Blades have scored fewer (17) and conceded more (51) Premier League goals than any other side this season. They are the only side yet to score in the opening 30 minutes of a match so far, with their earliest strike coming in the 33rd minute (Cameron Archer v Everton in September).
Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma has the highest expected goals total among all Premier League players yet to score this season (2.1). He has had 22 shots without finding the net so far.
Ben Brereton Diaz scored for Sheffield United on his Premier League debut against West Ham last time out. The only player to score in both of their first two Premier League games for the Blades was Brian Deane back in August 1992.
Wilder on Grbic, a 'dream signing' and frantic transfer workpublished at 11:15 29 January
11:15 29 January
Chris Wilder has spoken to the media before Sheffield United's trip to Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
Here are the main lines from his news conference:
On transfer targets, Wilder said: "It's vital we have someone that has played in this division or played at a level that is equivalent to the Premier League. We are working frantically to improve our group and hopefully we will do that before the window closes."
Wilder confirmed January signing Ivo Grbic will be the Blades' first choice goalkeeper: "Wes [Foderingham] asked the question, would he be available to go out on loan and I said 'listen let's see what happens and see who comes to the table on that'. I was up front with Wes, always have been in terms of what we were doing. I am not going to see ourselves light either, I put myself out there and said Ivo [Grbic] will be number one."
Wilder is adamant Grbic's debut, in which he conceded five goals, will not knock his confidence: "He's a really positive guy. He'll be a bit disappointed with the fifth goal, but no fault of his own for the result. Ivor will be OK, I made the decision to give him his debut and he'll be better for that going into Tuesday's game."
Wilder was in full praise of opposition manager Roy Hodgson as he faces growing pressure at Selhurst Park: "The noise is always there. It's not for me to tell anyone how to do their job and certainly not Roy with what he's achieved with his career. I believe he's a fantastic manager and I'd take what he's done in a heartbeat. He's an outstanding manager and an outstanding man."
On January signing Ben Brereton Diaz, Wilder said: "Ben has been a dream singing, and he's going to go from strength to strength. We've had to be careful in terms of his minutes because he hasn't played much at Villarreal. He's a powerful boy with good ability and fabulous character."
"Brighton played really well," Asaba told BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven.
"We should've scored two goals before they scored their 35-yard wonder-goal. That's what I'm taking away from this.
"We got a lesson in decision-making by players who are really comfortable on the ball. Brighton had so many options and they were picking the right pass. When we got into the final third, invariably we were picking the wrong pass or we weren't executing it well enough.
"But we still had 13 shots on goal. What the manager is trying to get through to the players, they are taking on board and they are executing it up to a certain point really well. But, we are Premier League level now, we have to take more chances because the other teams will.
"If you give another team five chances, they are normally going to score two or three. So, if you're creating 13 chances, you have got to be getting those. Sheffield United created 13 good chances against one of the better Premier League teams.
"Of course they are going to rue that they've missed them, but we've got to take positives from it. The boys have got to keep working harder, taking on what the manager is telling them because he's getting them into the right areas, and being more clinical.
"This is their level now. If you're not being clinical, people will start thinking about whether this actually is your level."
Your views on Saturday's matchpublished at 08:52 29 January
08:52 29 January
We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's FA Cup game between Sheffield United and Brighton.
Here are some of your views:
Sheffield United fans
Green: Good performance from the Blades but not clinical enough in front of goal. I don’t think Brighton deserved all five goals but they were more composed with the ball and deserved to win. We’ve got to forget about this and focus on the league now.
Alan: Brighton took their chances - we didn't. Not a good start for our new goalkeeper and I didn't like the way he walked around the pitch with the rest of the team applauding the crowd after the game but halfway round just walked across the pitch and down the tunnel on his own! The less said about VAR the better. Get rid of it, please.
John: The referee was absolutely awful. He is definitely not fit for the job. Every decision went Brighton’s way and they certainly shouldn’t have had any of their penalties.
Brighton fans
Nicolas: What a game. Brighton showed what they can achieve. Pedro was my man of the match, without a doubt. He has adapted so well. Into the fifth round.
Seagull: The gulf in class between the two sides was clear in the second half. The Blades ran out of ideas in the end but at 2-2 they looked well in it. Albion were guilty of thinking the game was over at 2-0 and we should know from earlier in the season that they never give up. Into the last 16 and hoping for a home tie against anyone apart from Manchester City!
Steven: A great performance. Our attacking players were flying and Joao Pedro desevered that hat-trick. Another exciting cup tie and hopefully we get a favourable draw in the next round.
Davie: Billy Gilmour. He's gone unrecognised, but he makes it all look so easy!
Analysis: Sheffield United 2-5 Brightonpublished at 20:01 27 January
20:01 27 January
Image source, Getty Images
Tim Oscroft, BBC Sport
For United, at the foot of the Premier League table, it was ultimately another dispiriting result after they had fought back so well late in the first half.
The Blades had looked a long way off the pace until two goals at the end of the first half brought them right back into the tie.
Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen could only parry William Osula's low cross back out to Gustavo Hamer, who made no mistake at the first time of asking, only to then have to wait for video assistant referee (VAR) to confirm the goal after a check for offside.
Osula, who had been the Blades' liveliest player, then drew the home side level when he headed Jayden Bogle's cross home, with the goal confirmed after another VAR check.
But Bogle's handball when challenging Evan Ferguson in the air gave Pedro the chance to put the visitors ahead again and once he had done so in clinical fashion, Chris Wilder's side looked like the ones who had been second best for much of the first half aside from a chance for a late consolation when James McAtee's shot hit the underside of the bar but did not cross the goal line.
Their focus must now shift to Premier League survival. In two of their next three outings, they face fellow strugglers, with a trip to Crystal Palace on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) and to Luton on 10 February, with Aston Villa visiting in between (17:30).
Sheffield United 2-5 Brighton: What Wilder saidpublished at 18:58 27 January
18:58 27 January
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder speaking to BBC Sport: "It is what it is. They are through to the next round and we're not. We understand the qualities that the manager and the players bring to Brighton. They are a real good footballing side and better teams than us have struggled with the way they play. For me, looking inwards at our game, [they were] some poor goals.
"Two penalties, a couple of opportunities to deal with certain situations that have led to the goals. I'm delighted that we gave everything as we always do, delighted that we got ourselves back into the game just before half-time, then looking forward to a really positive second half, but then the goal has obviously really knocked us back again.
"Brighton are going to dominate passes and possession, we all know that. They do that to better teams, more established teams, bigger quality teams than us, week in week out. That's the reason they've got themselves into Europe this season. They are a successful side but, if we showed a bit more quality in the box and didn't give them a helping hand, it might have been a little bit tighter."
On the two penalties: "I've got an issue with the referee's performance, I thought he was really poor. Put him out to referee our game again to try and see if he's alright for the Premier League."
On William Osula: "He won't be getting another one [a goal in the FA Cup] this season, will he? We're competitors, we want to win a game of football. We have to park this quickly, we understand that. We have some good young players here- they are learning at the highest level. Will is learning against the likes of them, so great experience for him.
"The young boys will learn from this experience as well so we need to be better. We've got them [again] in a few weeks so we'll need to be better then, on certain occasions, but we have to quickly move on to Tuesday night."
Chris Wilder is getting a tune out of Sheffield United. They were fortunate to draw against West Ham, but they did play well and created plenty of chances.
The outcome here depends on Wilder, and whether he is looking to build a bit of momentum and thinks the FA Cup could provide that. They need a spark from somewhere but, again, they are in action in the league on Tuesday when they go to Crystal Palace, so that is going to affect his thinking.
As for Brighton, they are firing blanks - I am not sure what has happened to the great entertainers, because they have failed to score in their past two league matches.
I have a feeling the Seagulls will find the net this time, though - and find a way to get through.
'Everybody wants to be part of what is happening' - Asabapublished at 18:56 26 January
18:56 26 January
Media caption,
Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba says the "competition is so high" for the forward roles at the moment, and that is why no player wants to be dropped for the FA Cup game against Brighton on Saturday.
Speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast, Asaba said: "If you're rested then there's a chance that one of the players taking your place will score, and then have a stronger case to play."
Can Sheffield United's FA Cup run benefit their league form?published at 17:49 26 January
17:49 26 January
Media caption,
Available to UK users only
Former Sheffield United midfielder Michael Brown tells the latest episode of The Football News Show how an FA Cup run could have a positive impact on their Premier League form:
"[Chris Wilder] is still trying to mould his side and trying to get a few signings before deadline day to give them a better chance of staying in the Premier League. Nobody will want a replay in this one - and Wilder will not want to give out of the competition either. He's a winner.
"Obviously they made the FA Cup semi-finals last season and those supporters know how important games in this competition are. They understand what the FA Cup brings. A trip to Wembley is a great occasion so it is important to get something out of this game."
Blades confirm Grbic signingpublished at 12:51 26 January
12:51 26 January
Image source, Getty Images
Sheffield United have signed Atletico Madrid and Croatia goalkeeper Ivo Grbic for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year-old arrives at Bramall Lane on a deal that runs until 2027 and could make his debut when the Blades host Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
"It is a big thing for every player to move to the Premier League and I am delighted to join Sheffield United," he said.
"I've played in some good leagues in France and Spain, and played in the Champions League with Lille and played 15 or 16 games for Atletico last season which is a big club. I know I am ready now for this challenge."
Grbic joined Atletico in 2020, but struggled to displace Jan Oblak as the club's first choice goalkeeper and only made 12 La Liga appearances for the Spanish club.
Sheffield United have 'square pegs in round holes'published at 12:09 26 January
12:09 26 January
Image source, PA Media
Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall is not impressed with the calibre of opposition facing the Seagulls in the FA Cup on Saturday.
He told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast he expects Brighton to progress against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane: "Chris Wilder will put a team out to win, but I don't think it will be his first team because he's got bigger fish to fry. He's a lifelong Sheffield United fan and he wants the players to play with passion and intensity.
"We'll expect a hard game, but I think the quality of their players against our players, I think we should win the game.
"Their wide players, like James McAtee and Ben Brereton Diaz are very good players, but the forwards are Championship strikers. Cameron Archer was at Middlesbrough last season while Ollie Norwood is still there and his legs are gone. They also have a left-back playing as a centre half in Jack Robinson.
"There are square pegs in round holes there and we should go there and win this game. They are bottom of the league for one reason. It's not like they have bad luck - it's just the players they've got. They aren't good enough to be in the Premier League if I'm really honest.
"It's up to us - how we turn up with our attitude and playing high intensity football. Let's take our chances."
Lack of transfer business 'all comes down to Financial Fair Play'published at 08:53 26 January
08:53 26 January
We've seen fewer deals at this stage of a January window than normal.
Simply put, clubs are having to work with what they’ve got. The financial regularities mean nobody wants to get any points deducted, so everybody must be sailing very close, unless there’s a bit of trading to do.
Generally you see one go and then things move around, but it’s heavily looking like just loan deals.
If you ask the bulk of managers if they would bring reinforcements in then they would. I don’t think there’s many who would say they wouldn’t take at least another player. It’s in everyone’s nature to do so. They may say they are not bothered out loud, but do you really believe it?
What can be done? Teams have players missing across the board and it’s a high number of injuries for this time of the season. But it all comes down to the Financial Fair Play regulations.
Would Nottingham Forest go and try and do a bit? Probably. We know Gary O’Neil at Wolves would love to do stuff, but he’s governed by what he can move around in order to bring in.
Then you have the bottom three. They have to strengthen wherever possible but their hands are also tied. It’s tough what they can get over the line.
Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
'That is a disgraceful bit of writing'published at 18:27 25 January
18:27 25 January
Media caption,
Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba has been giving his opinion on the comments of former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg about the controversial late penalty awarded to the Blades in Sunday's 2-2 draw with West Ham.
In his column for the Daily Mail, Clattenburg said: "This is not a foul by Alphonse Areola on Oli McBurnie. It is a foul by McBurnie on Areola! If you know football, and you know Sheffield United, and you know McBurnie, then you know he is going to try to disrupt the goalkeeper."
