The Blades got back to winning ways in a ***** win against fellow play off contenders Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane. After a poor run of results in recent weeks culminating in the defeat at Oakwell, United simply had to win this game. Lose and the season was likely over. Wilder opted to give the eleven who stated the game another opportunity. Donaldson was on the bench instead of Wilson.

United started on the attack on an evening where it was quite misty and rain in the air. Within two minutes, the home side were ahead. Fleck found Stevens who helped the ball over and the ball. The ball was cleared as far as EVANS who was around 25 yards from goal and as the ball dropped high out of the sky, he decided to try a cushioned volley. It seemed an ambitious move but the midfielder caught it perfectly and it sailed into the net past the despairing dive of Randolph who was grasping thin air. It was a genuine goal of the season contender.

United continued to take the initiative and soon after Lundstram fired over. Evans then was involved again as he fed Baldock who in turn found Basham but Clarke could not get the loose ball. United had made all the running but a break from Traore saw the ball drop to Bamford but his low shot was straight at Moore in the first effort of the game for the visitors.

United went back on the offensive and a lovely move just inside the quarter hour mark should have seen it 2-0. It was moved about patiently and Evans rolled in Clarke who was in on goal but his shot lacked power and conviction was kicked away by Randolph. United then were away again and Brooks who had looked lively so far, skipped away but Leadbitter cynically pulled him back getting a deserved booking. Brooks was then brought down by Ayala, a clear foul but incredibly ref Bond did not even give a free kick despite the United man needing treatment. United continued to move the ball about with Lundstram and Evans impressive in the middle and the wing backs ably supported by Basham and O’Connell.

Disaster struck for Boro before the half hour mark when Leadbitter brought down Fleck. It was a clear foul and quite late and Bond had no hesitation reaching for the red card. The departing midfielder took an age to go off before trooping down the tunnel. Fleck was then booked for a slight tug before another worse foul from the opposition was not given a yellow. Clarke then went down at a corner before it was taken. He seemed to complain that Ayala was the guilty party but none of the officials saw anything. The game was threatening to boil over. Fortunately, United kept their cool and doubled their lead soon after.

A short corner found Brooks and he showed lovely skill putting an opponent on the floor before checking back and chipping a well-played ball into the path of EVANS who for the second time in the game hit a delightful volley low into the right-hand corner of Randolph’s goal; once again giving him no chance.

United continued to play well and some lovely moment saw the ball moved around several times with Baldock a real threat and then Lundstram and Brooks linking well. It was an excellent first half performance and the crowd rightly gave them a standing ovation at the break.

Manager Pulis had seen enough and with his team with ten men and two behind, made a bold move changing three players with Assombalonga, Clayton and Fabio De Silva coming on for Bamford, Traore and Besic. They seemed to stiffen up the midfield and won a few loose balls and seemed more determined. Wright was penalised for a foul – again this seemed harsh and as the chipped free kick came over, AYALA stole in at the back post as Clarke lost him, and smartly drilled the ball low into the goal. It was a really sloppy goal to concede and Middlesbrough were back in it.

United were now giving the ball away and starting to panic a bit. Howson broke and hit a shot over and then Assambalonga caused problems with his pace. United broke out briefly with Baldock doing well down the right and Basham then showing some good work at the other end. The game became very scrappy with several stop start periods due to fouls or poor play.

Fabio was booked for remonstrating after Bond gave United a free kick (not against him) and several Boro players had to calm him down. Duffy was introduced for Wright as United tried to change the formation and stem the tide in a second half where they had struggled to keep the ball. Duffy ended up wide left as part of the realignment. Boro were now having a real go and started to win the loose balls. Howson then came inside after a slip from Basham and curled just wide with the crowd holding their breath. However, Evans fired over after good work down the left set up the chance.

Donaldson replaced Brooks as the game ticked down and the crowd were getting very anxious matched by the home side who kept tossing the ball away. The game became very stretched and United now were clock watching as they were wary of some of the late goals they have conceded in similar situations. Boro were now launching long throws into the box at every opportunity.


Leonard came on for Lundstram as the game entered four minutes of additional time. Clarke gave away a free kick and Moore had to punch away. Another long throw came in but United cleared and the final whistle came signalling a crucial win. The Blades players punched the air while the opposition players slumped to the floor.


United – Strange game and performance. It was in the end about a fair score. We should have been out of sight first half and it was the United we want to see. Second half we were a different side. Boro did not dominate but were the better team – yet we still had chances to kill the game but poor choices stopped this. They had more efforts. Still it was a deserved win over the piece regardless of drop off second half.

First half we were superb. We were at it; pressuring them and got on the ball. We won midfield, we knocked it about and had lots of half chances and were getting through them through great play and clever movement. We scored two tremendous goals and could have had more. Clarke takes his chance and the game is over. We then switch off at the start of the second half and that changes the game. We then did not know what to do in terms of go for the third or defend and ended up doing neither very well. We got so sloppy in possession and players all over were making some shocking decisions and we constantly tossed the ball away.

We looked very nervous after struggling to see games like this out earlier in the season. Now we have won this the pressure is a bit different Saturday; it is another must win but one that we can go and relish. Millwall have pressure on them too knowing if they do not get a result they are out of the top 6 most likely. We have to just replicate the first half performance or how we played v Cardiff/Brentford and for 20 minutes at Oakwell the rest of the season. That is the issue – the lack of consistency of players and the team. We look brilliant at times; a joy to watch but then even in the same game the same players cannot perform a simple 5-yard pass or do the basics. It is a bit odd but that is why none of them have played top level I suppose and many other teams higher up have players that have. That is not a knock on the players. They do their best but at times they do great things and then the next moment you are thinking what have they done there?

Still the positives are it is a win and we are back in it. The likelihood is we will have to win probably all 4 -or at least 3 and draw one. Not sure we will do that on recent form and have not put wins together very often post Xmas. Still, it is all to play for. If we win Saturday; then we go to a nervous relegation threatened Birmingham and can just have a go. Get two results and then we have the final game at the Lane where a full house and you never know. Saturday though is the big one – despite the win last night; the other results means we have to win this one. A defeat and it is 6 points and like 7 with goal difference and that would be it. Keep thinking back to those two games over Easter and the throw away Saturday. We really should have won all 4 of the last 4 games or at the least got 3 wins and a draw.

I have to say despite how the game ended, how much I enjoyed watching United again at times last night. Some of the stuff first half is great to watch. The passing and movement and the way we keep going at teams is great. We have some really promising young players (forget how young Evans and Lundstram are). We are in a good place whatever happens at the end of the season – yes, we need that investment but if we could get those 2 or 3 real quality players allied to Coutts returning, we could go from a good side to a brilliant one.