Sheffield United slowed down in-form Wolves on Saturday to become the last team to a win a Premier League match this season.
Bramall Lane saw its heroes go ahead 1-0 through Cameron Archer only to require Oliver Norwood’s VAR-awarded stoppage-time penalty to deliver a 2-1 win and improve the last-place Blades’ season point total to four.
WATCH SHEFFIELD UNITED vs WOLVES FULL MATCH REPLAY
All the goals came late, as Archer’s 72nd-minute goal was matched by an 89th-minute Jean Ricner-Bellegarde equalizer. VAR then spotted Fabio Silva’s foul on Blades veteran George Baldock, and Norwood converted in the 10th minute of stoppage.
Wolves entered the game in terrific form and few would’ve suspected a loss like this, even away from home. Gary O’Neil’s men had 62 percent of the ball but will not get a point to show for it, as a first game without Pedro Neto saw the team look less dangerous.
Wolves sit 13th with 12 points.
Norwood delivers sweet relief for Sheffield United
It’s fitting that the Blades’ first Premier League win of the season comes from a player who’s been a part of so many brilliant Sheffield United moments and has been a part of every up and down.
The 32-year-old has been with the club since a 2018-19 loan from Brighton preceded his permanent transfer, and his long-ball wizardry is responsible for so many brilliant moves in the ensuing half decade.
This was a penalty conversion, of course, but it comes from a rain-soaked affair that the Blades badly needed to get their season running because a sight of safety has somehow not run away from them (Thanks to Burnley, Bournemouth, and Luton to be sure).
His 233rd appearance for the club is a big one.
What’s next?
Wolves host Spurs at 7:30am Saturday, while Sheffield United goes to Brighton a day later for a 9am ET kickoff (Nov. 12).
Sheffield United vs Wolves final score: 2-1
Goals: Archer (72'), Bellegarde (89'), Norwood (90'+10)
How to watch Sheffield United vs Wolves live, stream link, start time
Kick off: 11am ET Saturday (November 4)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Sheffield United lineup
Baldock back in. 🇬🇷
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 4, 2023
Norwood captain. ©️
Brewster & Archer up top. 🏹
Here's how United line up vs @Wolves at the Lane today. pic.twitter.com/VPnLMVEvUe
Wolves lineup
✌️ Two changes from #WOLNEW
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 4, 2023
🏴 Doyle's first @premierleague start
🇦🇹 Kalajdzic in to lead the line
How we line-up to take on @SheffieldUnited.
🐺📋 @AstroPay_OK pic.twitter.com/np3x0td0nq
Focus on Sheffield United
Heckingbottom’s not just undermanned, he’s been dealing with a huge batch of injuries. Oli McBurnie’s status is the most interesting of the bunch in terms of what the Blades will think they need to do to top Wolves.
OUT: John Egan (ankle), Anel Ahmedhodzic (thigh), Chris Basham (ankle), William Osula (other), Tom Davies (thigh), Daniel Jebbison (groin), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Max Lowe (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Oliver McBurnie (groin).
Focus on Wolves
The Neto injury could be huge, as O’Neil has been very smart about changing his attacking patterns but has not had to do so without his most creative sparkplug. Matheus Cunha and Hee-chan Hwang, however, might just have enough for this one.
OUT: Hugo Bueno (hamstring), Joseph Hodge (shoulder), Pedro Neto (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (fitness)