Sheffield United 2-1 Portsmouth: Super Subs Win it For Blades in Subpar Display | OneFootball

Sheffield United returned to winning ways at Bramall Lane with a hard-fought victory over Portsmouth. Despite an unconvincing display, the Blades edged past their struggling opponents to reclaim second spot in the Championship’s automatic promotion places.

The Blades took the lead in the 24th minute when Ben Brereton Diaz set up Gustavo Hamer, who drove into the box and curled a superb low finish inside the right-hand post. However, Portsmouth responded swiftly, equalising just three minutes later as Josh Murphy delivered a dangerous low cross that full-back Connor Ogilvie glanced in at the near post.

The decisive moment came when substitute Jesurun Rak-Sakyi turned home Rhian Brewster’s low cross in front of the Kop, securing all three points for United.

Boss Chris Wilder made two changes for the clash, with Gustavo Hamer returning from suspension and Tyrese Campbell recalled to the starting XI. Hamza Choudhury and Harry Clarke made their home debuts, while Rob Holding was named among the substitutes. Alfie Gilchrist wasn’t in the squad due to only being allowed to have five loans in the matchday squad at a single time.

Lineups

Blades: Cooper, Hamer, Burrows (McCallum 58), Ahmedhodzic, Clarke, Robinson, Brereton Diaz (Brewster 72), Souza, Campbell (Rak-Sakyi 58), Choudhury (Peck 58), Cannon (Holding 82)

Unused: Faxon, O’Hare, Norrington-Davies, Brooks.

Portsmouth: Schmid, Ogilvie, Shaughnessy (Gordon 82), Potts (Pack 90), Bishop, Dozzell (Matthews 83), Swanson, Murphy, Ritchie (Aouchiche 72), Atkinson, Lang.

Unused: Archer, Saydee, Bramall, Devlin, Hayden.

First Half

Gustavo Hamer scores a goal for Sheffield United to put them in the lead against Portsmouth at Bramall Lane. (Image Credit: Sheffield United Football Club).

It was Portsmouth who had the first sight of goal when Colby Bishop broke free, but United goalkeeper Michael Cooper reacted quickly to deny him. The visitors responded with a series of corners before Callum Lang volleyed over from a promising position after connecting with a Josh Murphy cross.

Despite Portsmouth’s early pressure, it was Sheffield United who struck first in the 24th minute. Ben Brereton Diaz released Gustavo Hamer down the left, and the midfielder showed great composure to cut inside before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper into the far side of the goal.

Pompey, however, were undeterred and continued to threaten, with Murphy proving to be a constant menace for the Blades’ defence. His creativity paid off just three minutes later when he delivered a teasing low cross that full-back Connor Ogilvie turned in at the near post, restoring parity.

As the clock ticked down to the break, Ritchie had a free kick saved, and then Murphy struck the crossbar from long-range. With just a couple of minutes to go in the half Ogilvie missed a glaring opportunity to give the hosts the lead but he failed to even hit the target from a dangerous set-piece.

Second Half

Portsmouth started the second half brightly, with Bishop thinking he had given his side the lead after converting Murphy’s free kick at the back post. However, the assistant referee’s flag ruled it out for offside, much to the relief of the Blades as Pompey continued to push for their first win at Bramall Lane since 1955.

Sheffield United’s goalkeeper was kept busy, making a fine save to parry Murphy’s low shot before tipping another effort over the bar. Despite Portsmouth’s pressure, the hosts turned to their bench, making a triple substitution that saw McCallum, Rak-Sakyi, and Peck introduced.

The changes made an immediate impact. Clarke came close when his effort narrowly missed both Rak-Sakyi and the far post, while Bishop wasted another golden chance for Pompey, firing over after Lang’s clever flick.

Just two minutes after coming on, Brewster played a pivotal role in the winning goal. Cannon freed Brewster on the left edge of the penalty area, and his clever assist found Rak-Sakyi in the right place at the right time to finish in the 73rd minute.

Brewster nearly added a third in the 95th minute when he went through one-on-one, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar.

The Blades are next in action at Bramall Lane against Middlesbrough in midweek.