Wolves perplexing run ended Sunday with a 1-0 home win over a game but overmatched Sheffield United at the Molineux.
Pablo Sarabia’s first-half goal held up as Gary O’Neil’s men won a Premier League match at home for the first time in 2024. What makes that perplexing is that Wolves beat Chelsea and Spurs away while losing to Brentford and Manchester United at the Molineux. Shoulder shrug emoji.
Wolves improve their table position to eighth with 38 points, one behind Brighton and six back of Manchester United as a European place is a real option for them.
WATCH WOLVES v SHEFFIELD UNITED FULL MATCH REPLAY
Sheffield United are bottom of the table and have reached the point of this where moral victories carry little meaning, but the Blades can feel they deserved at least a point from this affair..
Chris Wilder’s men were the better team in the second half but couldn’t solve Jose Sa with any of their seven shots in the frame and 11 in the game. Blades’ 13 points are eight back of safety.
Manager of the Year contender O’Neil can smile at result despite performance
Wolves have to win games like this, and they did just that. No, it wasn’t close to pretty especially given expectations against a Blades side that leak goals and rarely threaten the opposition. In fact, Sheffield United played one of its better games in some time and deserved a goal to go with their efforts.
But Gary O’Neil’s men gritted their teeth and found their way to three points. It has them realistically in frame to go to Europe, which is wild considering how and why Julen Lopetegui left the club. Should Manchester City win the Premier League and Wolves reach a top-seven spot, O’Neil should claim Premier League Manager of the Year status this season.
What’s next?
Wolves host Brighton on Wednesday in the FA Cup’s fifth round, then go to Newcastle at 10am ET Saturday.
Sheffield United get a full week and a day before hosting Arsenal on Monday, March 4.
How to watch Wolves vs Sheffield United live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 8:30am ET, Sunday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Wolves vs Sheffield United live updates — By Nick Mendola
Wolves vs Sheffield United final score: 1-0
Goal: Sarabia (30')
Wolves vs Sheffield United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Wolves vs Sheffield United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Wolves vs Sheffield United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Halftime — Wolves 1-0 Sheffield United
Wolves’ lead is righteous, but the Blades have had their chances and can take some encouragement going to the second half.
Blades have had some luck getting shots off on their right, while Wolves are attacking all over the 18 and have a 9-4 shots edge off their 70% possession.
Jose Sa has two saves — one a very good one — while Rhian Brewster and James McAtee were both put off just enough on promising surges into the box.
It’s not over, but Blades will have to find heroes in the absence of Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer.
Pablo Sarabia goal — Wolves 1-0 Sheffield United (30th minute)
Rayan Ait-Nouri swings a cross over the top of the Blades’ back line, and Pablo Sarabia has a beat on Yasser Larouci.
There’s work to be done, and the airborne Sarabia does well in turning his header beyond the reach of Ivo Grbic for 1-0.
Wolves lineup
🙅 Unchanged from #TOTWOL
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 25, 2024
How we line-up to face @SheffieldUnited.
🐺📋 @AstroPay_OK pic.twitter.com/2sNwjn9yG7
Sheffield United lineup
Team news 🆚 Wolves 🗞️
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) February 25, 2024
Four changes for the Bladesmen as Ivo Grbić returns in goal 🧤 pic.twitter.com/uLxgHR5CPd
Wolves team news, focus
It has been a huge help that Wolves have a settled lineup with only Cunha out injured and Hwang’s return from international duty means he has slotted right back into the team in Cunha’s place. Wolves’ 3-4-2-1 formation works so well for them on the counter and they’ll look to score early and then hit Sheffield United on the counter often.
OUT: Matheus Cunha (hamstring)
Sheffield United team news, focus
Look, anything is a bonus now for Sheffield United. Chris Wilder is doing his best to hold things together and the best they can do between now and the end of the season is restore some pride and try to get as close to safety as possible. Everybody connected with the Blades knows relegation straight back to the Championship is highly likely. Why not have a go and go down swinging?
OUT: Mason Holgate (suspension), Ivo Grbic (concussion), John Egan (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), George Baldock (undisclosed), Daniel Jebbison (illness), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Ben Brereton Diaz (thigh), Cameron Archer (calf)