Norwich City v Sheffield United

[rifleman_lincoln]

Norwich City 2 - 1 Sheffield United

I didn’t see this match, although I was in Sheffield at the theatre, but apparently – as with last week – this match was dull, too!

I’ll just print the official report from the Club, but once again the Blades were in the lead, then finished the losers.

The Blades held the lead for a long period thanks to Jaïro Riedewald's second goal of the campaign but goals in the second half from Jack Stacey and Amankwah Forson turned the match on its head with the Canaries holding out for all three points.

United manager, Chris Wilder, made three changes to his team. Patrick Bamford missed out after coming off injured at half-time in the draw against West Brom, while Gustavo Hamer also missed out through suspension. Tom Cannon and Tyrese Campbell came back into the XI and there was also a recall for Femi Seriki with Ki-Jana Hoever dropping to the bench.

Seriki was straight into action on his return when his dangerous centre from the right flicked away off a Norwich boot and wide of the far post. Both sides fought to gain control of proceedings in an even start but it was the hosts who threatened next when ex-Blade Anis Slimane headed over. United responded when some fine interplay between Callum O'Hare and Campbell saw the latter slip a pass in behind for Cannon who dragged his shot wide from a tight angle.

By now the Blades had started to assert themselves and took the lead on 21 minutes. Cannon showed great perseverance to force a mistake from Kenny McLean, and after pinching the ball he laid a pass into O'Hare who drove into the area, picking out Riedewald, who produced a brilliant touch and shot to fire into the bottom corner.



The hosts gradually gained a foothold in the contest and were denied an equaliser on 31 minutes when Harry Darling's shot was deflected wide off Tyler Bindon. Before half-time, Sam Field headed over and Mathias Kvistgaarden saw a goalbound header blocked by Japhet Tanganga just in front of the goal line.

United withstood some early pressure at the start of the second half with Norwich enjoying territory but few chances. A long-range shot from Slimane was comfortably held by Adam Davies while Japhet Tanganga produced a brilliant clearance to deny Kvistgaarden an opportunity. Wilder made a double change on 64 minutes when Tahith Chong and Joe Rothwell replaced Riedewald and Campbell.

Rothwell was straight into the action when his pass wide found Brooks and his cross was met by a touch and shot by Cannon which was held by Kovačević. Davies was called into action with his first meaningful save when after a scramble the ball broke to Kellen Fisher who saw his effort turned away by the Wales stopper. The danger wasn't averted though, with Norwich equalising from the resulting corner on 68 minutes. Sub Jacob Wright's delivery was headed in by Stacey from six yards to bring the game back to parity.

Inside the final 10 minutes and United came agonisingly close to going back in front when Cannon headed Burrows' corner just wide. At the other end, Davies made a smart low save to deny Wright from a tight angle. On 84 minutes Norwich took the lead. After the Blades lost possession just inside their own half, sub Paris Maghoma carried the ball forward, playing in fellow sub Forson who found the top corner. United could have levelled four minutes later but O'Hare headed over Peck's corner.

The Blades couldn't find another clear chance before the end as the home side saw out the four added minutes to claim the win.