Blades move back to second in Championship with narrow win at promotion rivals

Kieran Dowell scored his first objective in Sheffield United colors to assist Chris Wilder’s males declare an important 1-Zero win at Championship promotion rivals West Brom.

The on mortgage Everton midfielder, who moved to Bramall Lane early in January, scored within the 14th minute to assist the Blades rise to second on objective distinction forward of Leeds – who’ve performed one recreation much less – and two factors behind Norwich.

Albion had been chasing a fourth win in 5 video games to strengthen their very own bid to achieve the Premier League, however the defeat means they’re 4 factors adrift of the automated promotion locations and a Blades aspect that has now received three in a row with out conceding a objective and are unbeaten of their final six.

Albion had been boosted by the return of 16-goal striker Dwight Gayle following the completion of a two-match ban however even with the on-loan Newcastle marksman again within the aspect they did not discover a manner by way of a well-drilled United defence.

Albion did have the ball within the internet six minutes from time however it was rightly dominated out by referee Oliver Langford because it flew in off the hand of Jay Rodriguez when he tried to move house Mason Holgate’s cross.

Rodriguez was rapidly into the motion in the beginning of the sport as inside the first 5 minutes he fired a shot over from 20 yards earlier than seeing a header flash over the bar.

It proved to be a false dawn for Albion as United made their first real chance pay.

When Kieron Freeman surged down the right-wing his ball through to Martin Cranie looked set to roll behind for a goal kick.

Cranie, however, managed to wrap his foot around the ball and hook a cross into the centre of the area where Dowell powered home a header that flew beyond goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Whereas Johnstone was powerless to cease Dowell, he did stop Albion falling additional behind 5 minutes later with a surprising one-handed save to show away a 20-yard drive from Marvin Johnson.

The house aspect then loved a flurry as they went searching for an equaliser, with Holgate’s curling shot dropping vast within the 24th minute earlier than United goalkeeper Dean Henderson held on to a header from Craig Dawson.

With United proving exhausting to interrupt down, it took Albion 20 minutes into the second-half to check them once more.

Jake Livermore floated a ball to the far publish that was met by Gayle on the volley, just for United full-back Enda Stevens to bravely block.

Albion then dominated by way of possession however United confirmed they may nonetheless carry a risk once they ventured ahead.

Skipper Billy Sharp was narrowly off beam with a glancing header within the 77th minute earlier than Gary Madine fired straight at Johnstone 10 minutes from time.

Henderson then denied Albion an injury-time equaliser with a save from Jefferson Montero.