Sheffield United

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Luton Town and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Luton fans

Sue: We are not going to win every game. There were some mistakes and tired legs after the last two games. Our position above the relegation zone is something we would have taken after the first three games. Let’s not forget there are a lot of games before we need to worry. We are staying up - you better believe it.

Paul: Sheffield United’s game plan worked well. United's Vini Souza bossed the midfield and won every header in his box. We had a lot of possession but we didn’t really look like scoring. We will be back. Come on you Hatters!

Jim: Ross Barkley is probably the most naturally talented football player to play for Luton Town. When you have supporters like the Hatters do, who appreciate him and take him to their hearts, I believe it brings out the best in him, especially when the last couple of years haven't been his best. He is up there with the best.

Blades fans

Green: A brilliant response from the thumping against Aston Villa. I thought James McAtee was brilliant and so was Cameron Archer up front. I still don’t think we will stay up this season, but we can certainly take a lot of positives from this performance.

John: Superb response to last week's game against Aston Villa, to be honest. We need to get a run going and take our chances, which we are creating and aren't that bad.

Alan: Vini Souza was the main difference between the two teams. He is a completely different player under Chris Wilder. We were excellent today.

Image source, Getty Images

Former players Alan Shearer and Martin Keown have criticised the use of the handball laws in Sheffield United's 3-1 win over Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

In his post-match interview, manager Rob Edwards said "I don't know what handball is anymore" after VAR awarded Sheffield United a penalty.

"I think it was actually the decision made by Paul Tierney, the VAR man in charge on the day. I just don't get this [first penalty call] to be honest," Keown explained on Match of the Day.

"Not a single player was complaining, saying it was a handball or whatever. It was completely out of kilter with the expectation of the players. How are you supposed to get out of the way of this? The proximity is just ridiculous.

"To say that's not a natural position to be in is ridiculous. Who are they asking, by the way? Your arm has to come up to rebalance, so that's ridiculous.

"The good thing was both of the penalty decisions were really poor, so maybe one cancelled the other out. He [referee Chris Kavanagh] was asked to look at it, by the way, and he still didn't change his mind."

All-time Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer branded the rule "an absolute joke" after Luton were also awarded a similar penalty: "If you think the first one [penalty call] is a bad one, have a look at the second one with [Vini] Souza. It's an absolute joke of a decision.

"I really think that he [Kavanagh] thinks VAR has given the first one so he's going to even it up for the second one. How on earth does he think that's a handball? It's a crazy decision.

"The handball law, as we know, is an absolute joke. You're hearing managers and players saying, 'we just don't know what handball is anymore' every single week.

"These are the same guys, IFAB, who are making the handball law and want to bring blue cards in for sin bins. Do me a favour man, honestly."

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Liverpool 3-1 Burnley

Nottingham Forest 2-3 Newcastle

Tom Gayle
Final Score reporter

As far as away days go, a six-hour round trip for those based in Sheffield, rewarded with a first Premier League win on the road this season and arguably their best overall performance of the campaign so far, will give Blades fans a spring in their step this Monday morning.

Chris Wilder clearly had his side well-drilled to deal with the inevitable multiple Luton set pieces they faced, and they were a harsh penalty decision away from a third league clean sheet.

Ahead of the game, Opta’s statisticians predicted a 99% chance of Sheffield United being relegated. This one result won’t change that but the scenes after the full-time whistle did provide clear evidence, despite their precarious position in the table, of the unity between supporters, players and coaching staff to keep giving it their all.

The entire squad were clapped off the pitch to the soundtrack of "Chrissy Wilder, he’s one of our own".

Image source, Getty Images

Former Spurs defender Stephen Kelly believes Sheffield United's 3-1 win over Luton Town might still be too little too late in terms of their survival hopes, with the Blades still sitting rock bottom in the Premier League on 13 points.

"Those three points are huge for Sheffield United. Again, I don't think it will be enough to save them but I think it really does put Luton's chance of survival on the brink," Kelly told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Sheffield United, at home, are the team that they [Luton Town] have to be picking up points against."

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards added: "If you're going to go down, you don't want to go down with the sense of inevitability from this point in the year. You don't want to be playing out the last three or four months of the season thinking, 'right we're done, we're finished'.

"That result today will just give them a glimmer of hope that they can stay up. Chris Wilder needed it. We sort of associate Wilder's Sheffield United team as the great team that he took into the Premier League and kept up with fight, spirit and determination.

"Dare I say it, that team had that little bit of 'Yorkshire grit' and I think they showed that against Luton."

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Image source, Getty Images

Marissa Thomas, BBC Sport

Sheffield United bounced back from their chastening defeat against Aston Villa by securing an important win over relegation rivals Luton.

It was their first league victory since 9 December when they beat Brentford 1-0 at home.

The Blades won away for the first time this campaign, in fact it was their first Premier League away victory since March 2021 (1-0 against Everton).

They also led by two goals for the first time in a league game after Cameron Archer's 30th minute strike and James McAtee's 36th minute penalty.

McAtee has been a bright spark in the struggling United side with four of his five goal involvements (three goals, one assist) in the Premier League coming since Chris Wilder took charge of the Blades in December 2023.

Wilder's side made the most of their chances despite having just 25% possession.

While the win is much-needed relief for United, they are still bottom of the league and seven points from safety as they battle against the odds to avoid relegation.

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday's game between Luton Town and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

• Sheffield United won their first Premier League away game since March 2021 (1-0 against Everton), while they have scored three goals in an away match in the competition for the first time since October 1993 (3-3 against Southampton), ending a run of 84 games without doing so.

• Luton have lost a home league game against Sheffield United for the first time since December 1994 (6-3 in the second tier).

• The Blades have conceded 60 goals in just 24 games in the Premier League this season, the fewest number of matches to concede 60 goals in the competition ever.

• Luton’s Carlton Morris has either scored (3) or assisted (2) in each of his past four Premier League games, as many goal involvements as in his first 19 games in the competition this season (also three goals, two assists).

• James McAtee’s 36th minute penalty put Sheffield United two goals ahead for the first time in a Premier League game this season.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The reaction of the players this week has been great. Our attitude was only going to be answered when it was questioned on the pitch, and I thought they were outstanding and deserved the result.

"We let everybody down last Saturday evening [in the 5-0 loss to Aston Villa], we can't get away from that and we have to own it. There is no hiding place, you are in the Premier League.

"We answered it in a great manner. Feet on the ground, it has taken a long time to get that first away win.

"We have some young players learning in the hardest league in the world. Vini [Souza] was outstanding. Now we just keep it going. We need to engage our supporters, we let them down last week and now we have to engage them again in the next game.

"I can't look too far ahead, I can't look at what the league table will look like at the end of the season. There was a structure about us, I thought we could counter and hurt them. The level of performance was good."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Tom Gayle speaking after Luton's defeat at Kenilworth Road: "Sheffield United's first victory on the road this season.

"What a response to last week's home humiliation at the hands of Aston Villa, wrapped up by Vini Souza becoming the first Brazilian to score a Sheffield United Premier League goal.

"Those away fans won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

"Luton's unbeaten start to 2024 comes to an end."

Sheffield United secured a vital Premier League win at relegation rivals Luton.

Cameron Archer beat Gabriel Osho for pace on the right flank and slotted into the bottom corner before James McAtee converted from the penalty spot, as the Blades led by two league goals for the first time this season.

Carlton Morris got one back for Luton, scoring a spot-kick shortly after the break.

Vini Souza restored United's two-goal cushion with a well-struck finish 18 minutes from time.

Chris Wilder's side remain bottom of the league, seven points from safety, while Luton are just above the drop zone in 17th position.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Luton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Sheffield United fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

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• Liverpool v Burnley

• Nottingham Forest v Newcastle

Chris Sutton is taking on Sexy Beast star Stephen Moyer for the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

I am not going to back against Luton any longer - although that will probably jinx them now.

They beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane a few weeks ago, although they were a little fortunate to see the Blades score two late own goals.

I love what Luton boss Rob Edwards has done, and he has proved me wrong, but he has still got work to do to keep them in the Premier League.

All season, the Hatters have not been a team who have just sat in and I am expecting them to go after the Blades here.

As for Sheffield United, well how can you make a case for them to stay up after they were humiliated by Aston Villa last week? I have got a lot of time for their manager, Chris Wilder, but I think this is going to end up being another defeat.

Stephen's prediction: 2-1

I've always really rated Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend and they have both fitted into the really cohesive way of playing that Luton have got. I think Luton are going to stay up, but it's a different story for Sheffield United. They have had their moments in recent weeks but they have not been picking up points and I don't see them getting anything here either.

See the full list of predictions

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Frank asked: Teams like Wolves who play without a number nine are doing very well. Are old fashioned strikers needed anymore? Has the game changed?

Michael replied: The game has changed. I think we've seen a different type of striker.

But look at Liverpool and Arsenal for example, people mention they still need a number nine, so people are saying it, but we're not necessarily seeing those old-fashioned nines.

Manchester City did so well with the false nine, but then Erling Haaland came in and scored 50 goals. They still needed him and they still wanted a number nine, but it depends on your playing style.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Russell asked: The January transfer window was very quiet compared to recent years, probably due to Financial Fair Play and points deduction worries. Do you think the days of teams spending hundreds of millions each window are over? And if so, what long-term effects might that have on the Premier League?

Michael replied: I think we are going to see different spreads of spending. We're not going to see hundreds of millions in the January window because people will be more conscious of spreading those payments and their budget will already be in place.

They will probably do a lot more of it before the season, so I think we are going to see less of the the excitement of the January window because of quite obvious reasons.

The business will be done in the summer and clubs will say ‘this is what we've got'. They might have to send others on the way out first, rather than just spending that money and getting rid of players later.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Marissa Thomas, BBC Sport

Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before their crucial match against Luton Town on Saturday.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• He maintains his belief the Blades can stay in the Premier League: "I never give up hope. Even if the league table says that's us done and dusted, there is always something to play for. There's no hiding place - it's the Premier League and it's broadcast worldwide."

• He was asked for his comments on VAR after a senior Premier League official called it "a poor experience for fans": "We're all in the same boat in terms of the length of decisions that are being made. Everybody wants them to be quickened up and tidied up. We've all been pro VAR when the results are right in your favour and anti VAR when they go against you.

• Ben Brereton Diaz has impressed the boss since arriving from Villareal in January: "Ben has been a super signing for us. He has been fabulous to work with off the pitch, fabulous on the training ground and he has delivered assists, goals and performances. Hopefully, he can kick on and keep producing those performances."

• On the availability of keeper Ivo Grbic after he sustained a concussion against Crystal Palace: "He will miss out by one day so it seems that's the way things are going at the moment so we have to deal with that. It's a miss for us of course but whoever plays in goal will come in and do a good job for us."

• On relegation rivals Luton: "The next game is on Saturday against an in-form team that are doing fabulously well so the narrative will be how well they're doing as a promoted side and how poor we are at the moment. We have to understand that and we have to accept it. They've got on a roll and confidence is a huge thing."

• Despite Luton's form, Wilder is not overstating their ability: "They're not ninth, not eighth or seventh or sixth, they're still in and around it - but the have got more points than us. Rob [Edwards] is a smart guy and he has done a great job in carrying Luton forward and they have got momentum, belief and confidence. That will make them a team that's expected to win on Saturday."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences

• Sheffield United lost the reverse fixture 3-2 against Luton in December. They haven't lost both league meetings against the Hatters in a single season since 1976-77 in the second tier.

• After only scoring 10 goals in their first 12 Premier League matches, Luton Town have found the net in each of their past 10 games, netting in 22 goals across these games. Only Tottenham are on a longer run of scoring (35 games) than the Hatters.

• The Blades have conceded 59 goals in 23 Premier League games this season. The last top-flight side to concede 60 goals in as few as 24 games into a season was Ipswich Town in 1963-64.

• Oli McBurnie has more goals and assists combined than any other Blades player in the Premier League this season (4 goals, 2 assists). However, Sheffield United haven't been on the winning side in any game which he has scored or assisted in.

• Alfie Doughty has taken more corners that have led to a goal (not necessarily providing the assist himself) in the Premier League this season than any other player (8).

Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was defiant in saying the season was not over after the 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa but the general mood this week has been one suggesting that is exactly how the fans feel.

I was driving back from a different game on Saturday and pulling into the radio station, which is down the road from Bramall Lane. You could see fans walking home as the second half got underway. That is not a surprise when you are 4-0 down.

The truth is that it has been a miserable campaign so far. Embarrassing defeats to Villa, Burnley and Newcastle and not being able to win the vital games which were there to be had. Burnley are in the same boat and, while Luton are putting up a great fight, all three promoted sides may go down.

It has created the feeling somewhat of whether going up is all it is cracked up to be. If you do not have the financial clout to compete, are you just making up the numbers? There to suffer the occasional hammering, with promotion the peak of anything you can achieve?

Saturday's game at Luton feels almost like last-chance saloon. If the Blades are going to pull off the great escape, they have to win. Even then, people are already turning their attention to what went wrong, namely a summer that did not set the club up to succeed in the toughest division in world football.

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external

There was one surprise late move by the Blades right at the end of the transfer window, as John Fleck moved on a permanent deal to Blackburn Rovers.

It was a slightly anti climactic end for someone who will be rightly remembered as a modern Blades great.

Fleck was one of Chris Wilder’s first signings as United boss, and undoubtedly one of his very best. The ultimate box-to-box midfielder, Fleck was a free transfer from Coventry City in the summer of 2016 and absolutely instrumental in our rise from League One to the Premier League.

Looking back, it’s amazing to me that he only scored 15 goals in red and white as almost all of them are firmly lodged in the memory.

His tone-setting freekick in the 4-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday in September 2017 will be talked about among Blades fans for decades to come, and he also scored limb-inducing goals against Manchester United and Arsenal in our first season back in the top flight.

Despite scoring in the most famous derby win in the last thirty years, my favourite Fleck goal will always be the one at Northampton in April 2017.

After six years in the League One doldrums, United were all-but certain of promotion with plenty of games to play and this one balanced at 1-1.

Fleck, though, had other ideas, powering into the box in his trademark style and stabbing in an 88th minute winner to prompt an inevitable pitch invasion from the thousands of Blades in attendance as promotion was mathematically clinched.

It was a goal that halted a decade-long decline for Sheffield United, and sent the club in the other direction instead.

Six years on, injuries have taken their toll on Fleck and it was a surprise to see him given another year with United last summer.

Now, he has the chance to rediscover form and fitness back in the second tier. There won’t be a Blades fan out there that doesn’t wish him the best.

Michael Brown
BBC Sport pundit

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown will be answering your questions, giving his insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former Premier League midfielder?

How the season rates so far? Who has been your best player? What does the manager's future hold?

Let us know what you want answered by sending in your questions here

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Blades fans

Mark: First time I have left at half-time. Absolute garbage.

William: Wilder made serious mistakes with the team selection. 1) Playing Holgate in place of Robinson in a defence that never played together 2) Playing Brooks in place of Hamer just showed up the youngster’s inexperience against experienced, top-level players. He looked lost at times. Let the fans down. Poor leadership.

Tom: I have seen plenty of poor Blades teams, and countless relegations, but I can’t recall seeing a side so far out of their depth. We had no idea what to do - simply standing around while Villa stroked the ball around. It was only Villa taking their foot off the gas that stopped this being another Newcastle.

Villa fans

Paul: After a couple of shaky results, this was a statement victory. Villa dominated the midfield - Luiz and Kamara very good, with Tielemans creating chances. Sheffield United could not handle Watkins' pace or Bailey’s movement. They were far too open at home. Wilder completely out-thought by Emery's tactics and set-up.

Ronny: Some of us Villa faithful were beginning to doubt our top -four credentials, but this performance was just what we needed to confirm we are here to stay. We demolished the opposition from the off, like our counterparts would have, and every player performed to their maximum ability. Even Unai was getting excited!

Jackson: The first half-hour was brilliant and then we understandably dropped the pace. The game was won but it felt like a missed opportunity for a record win as United were that bad. The thinking perhaps should have been to maximise the goal difference rather than job done.