rifleman_lincoln

Luton Town 0 - 1 Sheffield United

Another three points for the Blades, but this performance was more akin to the battling and scrappy wins of Derby and Portsmouth, than the fluid and impressive performance that dismantled Middlesbrough mid-week!

After being second best in the first half, but also seeing Luton squander a number of chances and hitting the bar, the second half turned things around. Substitutions made all the difference!

Despite their lowly league position, Luton did start on the front foot with a chance coming after only 2 minutes. However the ball went straight to Michael Cooper with a good catch. Luton's front two players were winning everything in the air and the game was quite a physical one, leading to several bookings. The midfield of Hamza Choudury and Vini Souza doesn't really work as they're both very similar players and often "bump into each other" running into the same space! So the Blades had little possession in the first half.

Thankfully Chris Wilder made some changes for the start of the second half and put a better system in place and the Blades settled down. Tyrese Campbell sent over a lovely ball to Ben Brereton Diaz and he looked certain to score, but the ball went just inches wide. Really frustrating!

Then Callum O'Hare came onto the pitch and we always play better when he's in the team. Harrison Burrows hit an effort from outside the box, but it was blocked by Luton. Callum O'Hare hooked the ball back towards goal and Anel Ahmedhodžić pounced, slotting home while falling over for his second goal in a week.

Just look at the pile on celebration right in front of the Blades' supporters!

Luton won a corner in the 89th minute (always dangerous!) but Michael Cooper punched it clear. There were 5 minutes of additional time, but the Blades saw it out professionally. With Burnley (third place) dropping points, this became a big win – albeit not a very convincing performance – and at this stage in the season, it's all about points!

So top of the League until tonight when Leeds United play their game against Sunderland when we may swap places again.