Cameron Archer, James McAtee, and Vini Souza scored to give Sheffield United a lifeline via a 3-1 win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in a relegation six-pointer that will change some narratives.
The Blades led 2-0 and responded after a Carlton Morris penalty brought the vibrant Hatters back into the game.
WATCH LUTON v SHEFFIELD UNITED FULL MATCH REPLAY
Chris Wilder’s United remain the league-worst at the back, but getting goals will give them a better chance of defying the odds and reaching the top 17. The Blades are seven points back of 17th-place Luton, who join Everton and Burnley in losing this week.
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The Hatters have a game-in-hand on the three teams below them on the table, but remain just one point above Everton. They face a daunting run of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa before the schedule eases — and there’s an FA Cup match with Man City in the middle of that.
Souza the key to Blades turning longshot into miracle
Vinicius Souza has played well almost the entire year, and that’s turned into... 13 points.
That stings for the Blades, who have missed Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye but are getting a very good effort from Souza in the center of the park.
The all-action Brazilian midfielder even chipped in a goal on Saturday, even though that’s the 24-year-old’s game. He conceded a hard-luck penalty that might keep his advanced stats down, but the Blades can pull off a great escape if Mason Holgate steadies the back line and their goalkeeping can step up.
Still a huge long shot, but not impossible given Fulham, Burnley, and Forest still visit Bramall Lane and Bournemouth, Brentford, and Everton are also on the docket.
Vinicius Souza player rating (fotmob.com)
Vinicius Souza player rating (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Sheffield United host Brighton at 9am ET Sunday, while Luton host Manchester United at 11:30am the same day.
Luton Town vs Sheffield United final score: 1-3
Goal: Archer (29'), McAtee (pen 36'), Morris (pen 52'), Souza (73")
Luton Town vs Sheffield United player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Luton Town vs Sheffield United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Luton Town vs Sheffield United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Vinicius Souza goal (video)
Ross Barkley’s caught on the ball and Sheffield United lead a bull in a china shop counterattack.
It’s takes no prisoners in getting the ball to an open Vinicius Souza, whose finish is fine and the away end is very happy.
Luton Town penalty! Carlton Morris goal (video)
Another letter of the law pen, this one less egregious — if only by a tad — than the previous one.
Carlton Morris belts home after a stop-step. 2-1. Game on.
Sheffield United penalty! James McAtee goal (video)
A ball is whipped into the Luton box, where it’s headed across goal but stopped by the hand of a leaping Reece Burke.
VAR recommends a look at the pitchside monitor, and a penalty is awarded to the Blades.
James McAtee rolls it past Kaminski. 2-0!
Cameron Archer goal (video)
A Blades lead? In this economy?
Sheffield United go in front through Cameron Archer, who probably should’ve already had the score line 1-0 a couple of minutes ago when he smashed wide of frame.
Archer gets into the box for a pass from Max Lowe — himself only into the game a few minutes after an injury to Rhys Norrington-Davies — and scorches the grass with a low finish past Thomas Kaminski.
How to watch Luton Town vs Sheffield United live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (February 10)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Luton Town lineup
One change for your Hatters 🫡 pic.twitter.com/9dCZfXemkz
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 10, 2024
Sheffield United lineup
Our Starting XI to take on Luton 📋⚔️
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) February 10, 2024
🟠 #LUTSHU 🟡 pic.twitter.com/nagfY9GW5y
Focus on Luton, team news
Luton have been getting real joy out wide with Ogbene and Doughty causing so many problems and the duo of Morris and Adebayo up top are a real handful. Expect the Hatters to whip in plenty of dangerous set pieces and watch out for them on the counter.
OUT: Tom Lockyer (heart), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Mads Andersen (calf)
Focus on Sheffield United, team news
Wilder has tried pretty much every combination of players possible and nothing is working. The Blades are trying to hang in games but they’re making sloppy defensive mistakes and don’t have a lot of confidence when they do get on the ball. Not a great combo. Manchester City loanee James McAtee has been the main positive so far this season.
OUT: Ivo Grbic (concussion), John Egan (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), George Baldock (undisclosed), Rhian Brewster (suspension), Daniel Jebbison (illness) | QUESTIONABLE: Max Lowe (undisclosed), Oliver McBurnie (calf)