It’s three wins from three at the Lane as United saw off Derby 3-1 thanks to a Billy Sharp double and a Johnny Russell own goal. United fully deserved the victory as they got about an expensively assembled County side and were better individually and collectively. United were full value for the win and even though some of the goals came in bizarre fashion; there was no doubt the Blades had been full value for the three points. They were quicker and more determined all over the field and swarmed about a highly fancied side. It was classic Wilder as the Blades pressed and harried and caused mistakes before their underrated football side did the rest. Derby were probably shocked by the intensity and pressure from the home side and the late challenge to get back in the game came too little, too late.

Manager Wilder had to make one change from the side that beat Barnsley last week as the suspended Leon Clarke was replaced by Caolan Lavery up top, opting to keep young protégé David Brooks on the bench. Derby had a side packed full of talent and could even afford the luxury of having Scotland international Chris Martin and big money signing Tom Lawrence on the bench. They still had a side packed full of talent and the Blades knew this would the toughest test at home this season.

In bright sunshine, United began well with Fleck and Coutts winning early tackles and won a corner and then a free kick as they looked to take control. A neat move nearly led to a chance from Lavery but the ball was cut out. Soon after though the pressure led to an early opening goal for United.

Huddlestone’s back pass was not the easiest for Carson to deal with but his clearance was appalling and fell straight to SHARP who knocked the ball right into the far corner of the goal to give United the lead. It was only a half chance and whilst a bad keeping mistake; it was a superb opportunistic finish from United’s leading scorer.

The delight from the goal was checked not long after as Vydra threatened a break but Wright made a great block tackle. Coutts then shot just wide as United continued their excellent start. Fleck then combined with Stevens and Sharp was just blocked out from the ball. Lavery flicked on and Sharp again nearly got in as United’s excellent start continued. Derby were struggling to hold the home side back and Coutts again probed with Duffy getting into a good position but his probing run was held up just before he threatened to pull the trigger.

United’s start came under threat as a rapid response saw some quick-fire football threaten to play Vydra in but Fleck was superb in covering ground to make a last-ditch tackle and stop a possible goal. Russell then shot over as Derby threatened to get back into a game they had been second best. However, the winger’s next contribution was timely for the Blades as he inadvertently led to a pivotal moment in the game.

As United attacked with gusto again, swift interchange led to Duffy, Lavery and then Freeman play some neat football before the ball into the box caused real problems. RUSSELL (OG) tried to get his foot in but in trying to defend he somehow managed to knock the ball right into the far corner of the goal. It was all in one motion but it was a bizarre way for United to double their lead.

Derby won a free kick for a soft award from a tackle from Fleck but the kick was blocked and solid defending from O’Connell soon after saw United see out any danger and go in with a deserved 2-0 lead with an ovation from the home supporters as they left the field. United had pressed, closed the gaps and other than the odd break, the Blades had been well on top.

After the break, Derby had more of a go and Huddlestone had a shot over the bar and then after Derby beat the offside trap Blackman saved Vydra’s lobbed effort as he tried to knock it goalward. United had not had the level of control they had first half and the game became a bit scrappy with few chances either way. United had not been able to press the ball as much and Derby started to force them further back but O’Connell and Wright made a few key blocks to prevent any real chances at goal.

A long ball forward saw Lavery win a header but he clashed headed with Olsson and both players went down in a heap. The United player came off worse and looked very groggy before he had to leave the field with a potential cheekbone injury. Evans took his place.

Lawrence and Martin came on for Nugent and Russell just before the hour as Derby looked for a way back into the game. Duffy had caused problems all game but had had tired and Carruthers took his place. The sub was instantly into the action winning two tackles and making a clever darting run forward before Wisdom cleared. Carruthers then made a dart down the wing and sent over an inviting cross but it evaded all the United players in the box and was cleared. Bryson came on for Weimann as the game entered the final 15 minutes but United had continued to see off any efforts the away side mustered. Sharp bought a free kick from Keogh as he chased down a Stevens pass as the home side continued to do a professional job.

Derby had a half chance as the ball came across but Blackman anticipated the danger before a decent effort saw Lawrence’s half volley flash wide of the goal in a rare effort for the away side.

Carruthers had done well but seemed to pick up a knock and had to go off to be replaced by Lundstram with just over 10 minutes to play.

Johnson headed a cross wide from Wisdom and then Martin tried to link up with Vydra but the visitors were struggling to really make any significant chance of note. Indeed, United went closest to the next goal, Stevens industrious afternoon continued and he sprinted clear before pulling the ball back. Sharp hit it with little back lift and Carson made a superb save to prevent the third goal. Soon after Freeman drifted past two men and went down but the referee waved away any appeals for a penalty.

The referee adjudged there would be 7 minutes of additional time to be played (with the 6 substitutions and the lengthy stoppage to the Lavery injury). In this time Martin flicked wide but not long after, the visitors gave themselves a lifeline. Little pressure on the ball led to Johnson floating a ball in and BRYSON was able to cleverly divert a header into the corner. It was poor marking and sloppy play but the Rams had a chance with still over 6 minutes to play.

United could have still sealed it when Sharp had a goal disallowed for offside and then a break saw Fleck in but he was denied by Carson when maybe a square pass to Evans could have sealed it. It had become remarkably open and now Derby sensed they could nick a point and threw bodies forward.

Evans helped keep the ball for a period in the corner and then a poor referee decision where Fleck was fouled but the referee played on and gave the offside that occurred soon after. This gave Derby a final chance to pump it forward and Carson went up to join the attack. The free kick was cleared by O’Connell and the ball was played into SHARP and with the keeper out of position, he coolly moved it forward, came inside and rolled it into the empty net. Jubilant scenes followed as the whole team, including Jamal Blackman joined Sharp to celebrate in front of the Kop.

Soon after the final whistle came after nearly ten minutes of stoppage time had been played but it was another win for the Blades. Manager Chris Wilder got his team together on half way in a huddle to emphasise the togetherness and then as he left the field jumped for joy leaving his side to take the final accolades from a delighted Bramall Lane.