United kept up the pace at the top end of the Championship as they completed a league double over Bolton thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win at Bramall Lane. The first half had seen United a little slow and ponderous but still shaded proceedings without creating any clear chances but after the break the Blades upped their game considerably. After a Clayton Donaldson miss, United made no mistake at the other end with the Sharp-McGoldrick combination leading to the latter to convert. With quarter of an hour left Sharp then got on the scoresheet himself with a close-range header from an excellent Olly Norwood free kick.

United went back to the team that has been so successful over the previous period with McGoldrick and Sharp up front and Duffy back in for Dowell who was on the bench. Newcomers Madine and Hogan were also named as substitutes. Bolton had former Blade Clayton Donaldson up front and gave a debut to Everton loanee Callum Connolly.

The game started with United winning an early corner and Sharp then nearly getting on the end of a long through ball soon after. Duffy then showed good feet to win a corner before McGoldrick linked well with the same man but the ball was blocked.

Bolton slowly came into the game and had a spell of possession and won two free kicks on the angle but these came to nothing. United came back out and Stevens had a shot blocked before Fleck also had an effort deflected just wide.

A piece of pinball somehow then saw Hobbs knock it clear when it easily could have gone into his own net. United had shaded the first half but Bolton had got bodies in the way and also slowed things down when they could to frustrate. United had been too slow to get it forward and it meant often they were crowded out and neither keeper had made a save of note all first half.

The second half began with United looked to play at a higher tempo and started well with Sharp linking with Duffy and then Baldock making a good run to lead to a corner. However, the best chance of the game came when Connell picked out Donaldson who peeled off from O’Connell but his header was really weak and easy for Henderson.

After this let off United were back on the attack with Basham linking well with Baldock and then McGoldrick having a mazy dribble and shot blocked. The opening goal was not long coming though and it came after the front two combined.

A long ball forward inside the channel saw Sharp and Hobbs clash but the United man was stronger wrestling the defender off before unselfishly laying the ball back and MCGOLDRICK turned it home with the keeper committed. He ran to Sharp to thank his striker partner after displaying his customary flexed muscle celebration to the Kop.

Connolly was the first man booked for a late lunge on Fleck but Bolton had a chance not long after as Lowe drove down the right and his cross was met by Ameobi but Basham got a crucial block in. United were back on the attack and a lovely header down from Sharp sat up for Fleck but his shot was high and wild.

Stearman was introduced for Duffy maybe in an attempt to counter the Bolton change of Magennis who had replaced Vela.

With 17 minutes to go, United effectively made the game safe. Connolly stupidly pushed Duffy over and Norwood took a delightful free kick that SHARP headed home via the legs of Matthews. It was a lovely free kick and simply needed the finishing touch which Sharp, as he often does, applied it.

Bolton had a chance with a through ball but Henderson was out smartly to pouch the ball as he slid in.

Madine came on for McGoldrick and then soon after Dowell for Sharp and United were now in well control. At the end it was the home side who looked more likely to score again and Madine was nearly fed by Dowell but the ball was blocked after lovely patient build up. The final whistle came after three minutes of stoppage time and it was another three points for the Blades.


United – A bit like the QPR game; it was a game we never really got anywhere near top gear but deserved to win and did what we had to in both boxes. This seems to be a change from last season and even times earlier this year. These sort of games we would have drawn but today we stepped things up when we had to. First half we were slow and not great. We still shaded things but did not create much and it was a bit flat.

However, in the second half it was a different story. We were better in all aspects and I felt that we started to pick up all the loose bits and started to stretch them. After we scored, they never hurt us massively and then the clincher came. After this it was quite comfortable. We were by no means superb today but were good enough to win. The front two stepped up second half and were the difference but a few other players improved also. Interesting that the goal we scored came from a direct (long) ball that came forward and a good old-fashioned shoulder barge!

It was crucial we did win today as it was a tricky fixture but we were professional in the end. We have a touch game at Villa to come but they were not exactly on form so we have to go there and go for the win – this would put us top temporarily and would be huge at this stage of the season. I actually would take a point but we have to go and try and win every game really. Then we have two home games and this is a big chance for us to keep up with the top two. I said I would settle for 6th and still maintain that in a very pessimistic ‘United always mess up’ kind of thought process but if we keep shooting for the top two then playoffs if we just fall short takes care of itself of course. None of the top teams are in great form (except Bristol City) and all seem to be winning a few, the drawing or losing. No one had pulled away so we are in there with a chance.


Bolton – They are clearly in a mess on and off the field and I will be shocked if they do not go down. They somehow scraped clear last year but have an even weaker team this season and lack goals and leadership. They have struggled to sign players due to the financial issues and Ken Anderson’s chairmanship has certainly not helped matters. Parkinson continues to play a very ugly direct style but today they actually played a bit more football than they have in other games I have seen. First half they were in the game and had a go for a spell but then slowly they started to time waste and sit back more and more. They began to settle for a point although had a good chance in the early part of the 2nd half. After we scored, they did not threaten too much other than a few half chances (one blocked and one well over) and the 2nd goal killed them. After this they kind of gave up and the lack of confidence was clear. They have a few talented players but not sure the style they play helps the likes of Ameobi. In a way not, sure Evans going there would have been good for him as he would not have seen many chances come his way and ironically may be better at Fleetwood although it seemed a bit naughty of Fleetwood if they did not send the documents in and thus retain him. On one hand not, sure Anderson deserved having one of our players after what happened with Doidge etc but know Wilder is big mates with Parkin and Butler – two of the Bolton coaching staff.

They were not awful today but when United upped their tempo and stepped up; they struggled to cope with us and in the end the score line was about a right really for the flow of the game and the amount of possession and pressure we had. I cannot see them winning many games at all between now and the end of the season and feel that they and Ipswich will be long gone before the end of the season leaving Rotherham and Reading to fight over the other spot.

Opponent man of the match – The midfield started quite well with Connelly on debut, Vela and the young lad Connell busy. Indeed, he was maybe the standout. He was involved quite a bit and got on the ball. Not everything came off but he was never hiding. Looked a bit like Pavel Nedved! Only 17 I think he is so, looks a good prospect.

Weak link – Hobbs got badly outmuscled on the goal too against a smaller player and this was crucial and then he clearly lost his man on the second. He was the hero in the week but he was involved in a negative way in both goals they conceded today. They were really powderpuff up the top of the field. I felt that Donaldson looked really poor. He looked quite immobile and the ball never stuck to him and he missed that weak header. Ameobi did a few nice bits but no end product and often just went down blind alleys. I also felt that they looked slow at the back and Wheater looks a player that has had his day. The keeper (Matthews not the normal keeper but has kept his place) was also quite poor and looked very jittery and a line keeper at that. I think we maybe could have exploited that more.