Sheffield United crowned their first Premier League game at Bramall Lane for 12 years with a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace.
Spurred on by a raucous home crowd, who were watching League One football three seasons ago, Chris Wilder’s team added to their point at Bournemouth last weekend with a precious win thanks to John Lundstram’s early second half goal.
The Blades are being tipped by many to get relegated, but they created the better chances and stood firm against a Palace side who earned more points away from home than at Selhurst Park last season.
The hosts should have gone ahead in the first half when David McGoldrick’s close-range shot was saved by Vicente Guaita in the Palace goal.
But Lundstram, who had set up that chance, gave them the lead early in the second half as he smashed in from 10 yards after Luke Freeman’s shot was stopped.
A frustrated Palace were limited to very little as Wilfried Zaha – making his first start of the season after a proposed summer move away fell through – was shackled by an industrious Blades defence.
The victory will be a fillip for Wilder, who out-foxed Palace boss Roy Hodgson with a 3-5-2 formation that continues to excel at both ends of the pitch.
Wilder, a former Sheffield United player, says he won’t compromise his style as he seeks to establish his side in the top flight but the early signs are that he might not need to.
Wilder’s team poses new problems for Palace
The last time Bramall Lane hosted Premier League football, it was for a defeat by Wigan in the pouring rain, which consigned the Blades to the Championship on the last day of the 2006-07 season.
That eventually led to a six-year stay in League One – but bathed in warm sunshine, Wilder’s team were boosted by their noisy supporters, who repeatedly sang about their journey to the Premier League under the former Blades ballboy, who they claim as “one of our own”.
Despite an early shot for Christian Benteke, which was saved by Dean Henderson, the hosts were on top for most of the first half but were let down by poor finishing as John Fleck and McGoldrick wasted chances.
United also claimed a penalty as Enda Stevens had his effort blocked by Joel Ward, but the referee David Coote waved appeals away.
Their profligacy ended when Luke Freeman, who replaced the injured Fleck in the first half, burst down the left and had his shot saved.
But the powerful Lundstram was on to send Bramall Lane into raptures.
Oli McBurnie also headed over as Wilder’s team pushed for a second, but marshalled by the excellent Oliver Norwood in midfield, they did not let control of the game slip and after holding on towards the end, sent their fans home with belief it could be a memorable season.
Palace can’t find a plan B
Palace were the sixth-best team in the Premier League away from home last season, based on counter-attacking style which suited some of their more skilful player such as Zaha and Andros Townsend.
But they were unable to impose themselves in this encounter and appeared not to have to the answers to United’s guile and energy.
Zaha was their most dangerous outlet, but when he was well marshalled by the Blades defence, they did not appear to have another strategy.
At times, the hosts’ tackling drew the ire of Zaha, who was also taunted by the Bramall Lane crowd for what they considered theatrical diving. Three Sheffield United players were booked.
Yet only a deflected shot from Townsend threatened the United goal in the second half, and Hodgson was left a passive figure as his side pressed in vain for an equaliser.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Substitutes
Crystal Palace
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Crystal Palace 0.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Crystal Palace 0.
Attempt saved. Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Patrick van Aanholt.
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Enda Stevens (Sheffield United).
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Patrick van Aanholt.
James McCarthy (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United).
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Phil Jagielka replaces David McGoldrick.
Foul by Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace).
Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Connor Wickham (Crystal Palace).
George Baldock (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Luke Freeman (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Luke Freeman (Sheffield United).
Attempt missed. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross following a set piece situation.
Hand ball by Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace).
Substitution
Substitution, Crystal Palace. Connor Wickham replaces James McArthur.
Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Luke Freeman (Sheffield United).
Foul by James McArthur (Crystal Palace).
Luke Freeman (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) with an attempt from very close range is too high. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Joel Ward.
Foul by Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace).
Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace).
Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
James McArthur (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United).
Booking
James McCarthy (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
George Baldock (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
James McCarthy (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United).
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Vicente Guaita.
Attempt saved. Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Chris Basham.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Joel Ward.
Foul by Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace).
David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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