Sheffield United 0-1 Charlton Athletic: Wilder Unable to Spark Life Into Poor Blades Side | OneFootball

Chris Wilder’s return to the Bramall Lane dugout didn’t provide the homecoming performance or result that Sheffield United hoped for, with the Blades suffering a 1-0 defeat late on to Charlton Athletic.

In what was another lifeless attacking performance, the Blades could only muster up a single shot on goal all game before Charlton threw men forward with ten minutes to go and eventually found the winner in the 90th minute through Isaac Olaofe.

Wilder recalled Gustavo Hamer and Tyrese Campbell, whilst he handed Chiedozie Ogbene his debut.

Lineups

Blades: Cooper, Tanganga, Godfrey (Seriki 66), Hamer, O’Hare (Chong 73), Burrows, Ogbene (Barry 66), Campbell (Cannon 73), McGuinness, Matos (Soumare 89), Peck.

Unused: A. Davies, McCallum, Mee, One.

Charlton: Kaminski, Jones, Coventry, Campbell (Olaofe 79), Docherty, Carey (Knibbs 79), Edwards, Bell, Kelman (Leaburn 61), Bree, Burke.

Unused: Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, Anderson, Rankin-Costello, Apter, Fullah.

First Half

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Greg Docherty of Charlton Athletic is challenged by Sydie Peck of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic at Bramall Lane on September 20, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

The opening exchanges saw Sheffield United on the front foot, but it was the visitors who fashioned the clearer chances in a scrappy first half. Charlton’s Charlie Kelman dragged an early shot wide, while United responded through Chiedozie Ogbene, whose header drifted past the post, and Gustavo Hamer, who saw his strike deflected over.

In a touching moment midway through the half, play was paused for a minute’s applause to mark the second anniversary of the passing of Sheffield United Women’s midfielder Maddy Cusack.

Just before the break, Charlton almost broke the deadlock when Lloyd Jones rose highest from a corner, his powerful header spectacularly clawed away by Michael Cooper in the United goal.

Second Half

United looked to raise the tempo after the restart, with Tyrese Campbell pouncing on a defensive lapse only to see his effort blocked. Youngster Sydie Peck twice tried his luck from distance, before Campbell went close again, heading narrowly wide.

Charlton carried a threat of their own. Tyreece Campbell forced Cooper into action with a glancing header, while midfielder Docherty twice tested the keeper, one of his attempts drawing a smart save. Charlton grew stronger as the game wore on, Knibbs robbing possession before slipping in Miles Leaburn, whose fierce drive was beaten away by Cooper.

The pressure eventually told. Knibbs combined neatly with Bree down the right, the full-back delivering a low cross for Olaofe to slide home from close range, sealing Charlton’s second league win of the season and leaving United empty-handed once again.

With this defeat, Sheffield United set an unwanted record as they are now just the fourth team in Championship history to have lost their first six league games of the season. Sheffield Wednesday (2007/08), Peterborough United (2012/13), and Wycombe Wanderers (2020/21) being the other three teams.