The Blades got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Bramall Lane. This coupled with Leeds shock defeat at home to Wigan means United now have things back in their own hands in the promotion race. United were still not at their best but improved from a drab first half to up the tempo and after a red card to Yohan Benalouane for a trip on David McGoldrick, they took the lead thanks to a great goal from Mark Duffy. United then did go for the second but did not get in and had a nervous spell for 20 minutes before a great breakaway saw the games two outstanding players combine. McGoldrick played in Stevens who slotted home superbly on the overlap to kill the game.

Wilder made the expected changes with Cranie and Stearman in for the injured Basham and suspended Egan. Baldock was back in for Freeman at right wing back. Madine got the nod over Hogan to partner McGoldrick. Martin O’Neill had made several changes in recent games with Forest’s season effectively over and he did that again leaving out several normal first teamers as he attempted to halt a terrible run of form.

The game began with United seeing most of the ball but in the early stages they were guilty of going a bit long and Madine was hit too much wit the aerial ball. Stevens was busy down the left but chances were limited with Norwood with a quick free kick the closest but an easy save for Pantilimon. Cash was hurling in a few long throws and Yacob had a wild effort for Forest who were largely content to sit back.

On 20 minutes Colback came inside but referee Madley felt he dived as he went to ground as Duffy was closest to him and booked the Forest man – this effectively ended his time at Forest as he now faces a three-match ban. United came out and Madine just missed Stevens driven cross. United then had a spell with a lot of the ball but did not hurt Forest. The best effort came from a ball across and McGoldrick headed back across and Madine could not quite head it back goalwards.

Forest had a rare chance when Duffy lost the ball and Murphy was in but with men getting back opted to shoot early and it was wide with Henderson probably having it covered. Byram then was booked for a foul as he tripped McGoldrick after Forest gave the ball away cheaply. United tried a clever one, playing it down the side of the wall but the cross just evaded a United player in the box and was cleared for a corner. Cranie then was booked after a mix up at the back but Forest did not cause any discomfort in the box. The half time whistle came after four minutes of stoppage time.

The second half saw United start immediately at a better tempo and Duffy was involved early on linking with Baldock and then McGoldrick as Forest were pushed back. Then a Fleck tackle after Pele fell over saw him feed McGoldrick who skipped away and went away from Benalouane who seemed to bring him down as the striker tried to hurdle him. The referee brandished a red card immediately feeling the cover would not have got round and he was the last man. Milosevic came on for Gomes but the opening goal came a minute later.

The ball came across from Norwood and after it was not cleared, it dropped for DUFFY who took a touch and then curled a delightful effort into the corner of the goal past the despairing dive of Pantilimon. The noise and relief was palpable around the ground as the ***** breakthrough came.

United were pushed forward by Wilder after the regression following the opener last week and nearly got a second soon after. Colback was lucky not to get another yellow card following a poor foul but the pressure kept coming. More good play from Duffy who jinked past Colback and played it across and McGoldrick toed it goalwards but Pantilimon made a tremendous save to turn it behind. Baldock got in a few times but took too long to make his decision but his energy was causing problems for the side with ten men.

Duffy was now really running things although his effort that was tipped over was probably a cross and was turned behind. Norwood then drove wide from a decent position as United turned the screw. Grabban was on for Murphy and then Madine came off for Hogan just after the hour as both teams changed strikers. United started to become a bit scrappy and lost the ball a few times and started to sit back more. Baldock gave away a handball as he got tangled up in a defensive position but Cash’s effort went further away than went it started. Forest won a few corners and Henderson had to punch clear as the crowd started to look at the clock conscious of what happened the previous week. Lundstram came on for Cranie as United went to a flat back four for the final stages of the game. Appiah replaced Yacob.

Forest had not really threatened too much but it was a concern United were going back deeper and therefore such a relief with five minutes to go, the Blades made it save. Fleck had made some good tackles and interceptions and made another one to win the ball. McGoldrick advanced and at the perfect moment found the streaking STEVENS who had ran the entire half. The wing back hit a low shot right into the far corner giving the keeper no chance and another huge roar erupted around the

After the goal Duffy left to applause from all sides of the Lane as Dowell came on to replace him. Forest looked a side ready for full time and the four minutes of stoppage time United saw things out professionally and kept the ball well to ensure they got the three points.