Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Sheffield United: Matt Doherty header denies Blades

Wolves remain sixth in the Premier League after Matt Doherty’s equaliser against Sheffield United extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were second best until Doherty headed in Raul Jimenez’s cross after 64 minutes.

But they finished the game stronger as the Blades, who were fortunate not to have George Baldock sent off, hung on to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

It was a sharp contrast from earlier in the match as the visitors took the lead after 63 seconds.

Lys Mousset took a touch from Baldock’s right-wing cross before firing in his fifth goal of the season.

But Chris Wilder’s team paid for costly misses by David McGoldrick early in the second half when they were in the ascendancy.

Sheffield United, who have not lost away in the league since January, remain a place below Wolves in seventh.

Mousset underlines value to Blades

Wilder would have been pleased his side continued their impressive start to the season, especially as Baldock rode his luck by avoiding a second yellow when he fouled Diogo Jota.

But it was a game where Mousset’s value was underlined once again, especially as McGoldrick showed again why he has not scored this season.

Mousset did not have much Premier League pedigree when he was at Bournemouth, scoring only five goals during three seasons after signing from French side Le Havre in 2015 for about £5m.

But the 23-year-old, who was captured by the Blades for a then-club record £10m in July, has proven a key player for Wilder’s side by adding crucial goals to the team’s defensive solidity.

Given he has scored five goals and has three assists, while his fellow strikers have struggled, the Blades’ lofty league position would be far inferior without him.

He wasted little time in scoring at Molineux and set up John Fleck for what should have been a second after 38 minutes when he nutmegged Leander Dendoncker, but the Blades midfielder’s low shot was saved by Rui Patricio.

Although McGoldrick was full of endeavour, he toiled in front of goal. The Republic of Ireland international had two chances to double the lead when the Blades were well on top after the break. Both times he could not beat Wolves keeper Patricio.

It proved costly when Doherty headed in at the back post minutes later, with McGoldrick failing to track his runner.

He was eventually substituted to be replaced by Oli McBurnie, who had a late chance to win it when he headed over, but Wilder will not mind too much about McGoldrick’s form while his team are still picking up points.

Wolves resilience impresses again

The draw meant that Wolves matched a top-flight unbeaten run last set by the club in 1973.

More pleasing for Nuno will be the way his side reacted to going behind, especially as they played against Braga in Portugal in the Europa League on Thursday.

This was their 27th game of the season and their resilience in combining both domestic and European form after a stuttering start to the campaign has been impressive.

They looked rusty as the visitors took the lead early on but once Jimenez tested Dean Henderson with a header after 18 minutes, they found their feet, and Adama Traore was a dangerous outlet down the right as he outmuscled Enda Stevens on several occasions.

Had there been better composure from Sheffield United’s forwards, the hosts may not have been able to respond, yet Doherty’s goal seemed to provide a catalyst.

It was an emotional goal as he kissed his black armband in tribute to former Wolves team-mate Benik Afobe, who has lost his two-year-old daughter.

Wolves, who handed a first Premier League start to defender Max Kilman, making him the first former England futsal player to play a full game in the top flight, pressed for a winner.

However, Sheffield United’s desperate defending kept clear-cut chances at a premium as the scores remained level.

More to follow.

Line-ups

Wolves

Substitutes

Sheff Utd

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Sheffield United 1.

Full Time

Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Sheffield United 1.

Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Luke Freeman (Sheffield United).

Attempt missed. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the right side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Enda Stevens with a cross.

Substitution

Substitution, Sheffield United. Luke Freeman replaces John Lundstram.

Attempt missed. João Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.

Attempt blocked. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jonny.

Booking

John Egan (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by John Egan (Sheffield United).

Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Chris Basham.

Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jack O’Connell.

Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Adama Traoré.

VAR Decision: No card change John Fleck (Sheffield United).

Substitution

Substitution, Sheffield United. Callum Robinson replaces Lys Mousset.

Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United).

Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United).

Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Oliver McBurnie.

Attempt blocked. Jonny (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Moutinho.

Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Chris Basham.

Foul by Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Substitution, Sheffield United. Oliver McBurnie replaces David McGoldrick.

Foul by Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Attempt missed. David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross following a set piece situation.

Foul by Max Kilman (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

John Lundstram (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

VAR Decision: No Penalty Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Max Kilman tries a through ball, but Raúl Jiménez is caught offside.

Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Enda Stevens (Sheffield United).

Foul by Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

George Baldock (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Goal!

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Sheffield United 1. Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raúl Jiménez with a cross.

Booking

Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.

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