Sheffield United 3-1 Huddersfield Town: United Come From Behind As Blades Defender Scores A Cracker | OneFootball

Sheffield United came from behind in their behind closed-door friendly against Huddersfield Town to win 3-1 at Shirecliffe on Tuesday afternoon.

The Blades were behind inside three minutes when Jay Sway did well to beat Seriki to a near post cross to guide it beyond Michael Cooper.

United rallied in the second half, and a penalty from Tom Cannon levelled things before a shot from outside of the box from Sam McCallum notched the Blades in front. Substitute Tahith Chong made it three with a neat finish.

Lineup

Blades: Cooper (Davies 61), Seriki (Giggs 73), McCallum (McGlinchey 73), Tanganga (McGuinness 73), Baptiste (Zatterstrom 83), Peck (Riedewald 45), Arblaster (Rothwell 61), O’Hare (Hamer 61), Donovan (Chong 61), Bamford (Campbell 61), Cannon (Matondo 61).

Unused: Grbic, Oné, Sasnauskas, Marsh.

First Half

Huddersfield made the brighter start and punished United almost immediately. Sebine burst down the right flank before delivering a dangerous low cross into the penalty area, where Sway got in front of Femi Seriki to volley beyond Michael Cooper from close range.

The visitors looked dangerous in the opening exchanges and could easily have doubled their advantage. Cooper was called into action twice in quick succession, producing an excellent save to deny Sebine before reacting sharply again to keep out another effort from Sway.

Having weathered that early storm, United gradually settled into the game and began to take control. Tom Cannon created the Blades’ first real opening with some determined play inside the area, but Romelle Donovan could only fire the rebound wide when well placed.

Callum O’Hare was next to threaten after neat link-up play with Patrick Bamford, although his effort drifted over the crossbar. As the first half progressed, it became increasingly one-sided, with United creating a succession of chances.

Cannon forced Ben Alnwick into a smart save before the Huddersfield goalkeeper denied O’Hare after another positive attacking move involving Seriki. Donovan also came close just before the interval but couldn’t apply the finishing touch after O’Hare had worked tirelessly to carve out another opening.

Second Half

Chris Wilder made his first change at half-time, introducing Jairo Riedewald in place of Sydie Peck, and while the second period initially lacked the intensity of the first, the Blades eventually found their breakthrough.

Just after the hour mark, O’Hare was brought down inside the penalty area by Bronkhorst, leaving the referee with little hesitation in awarding a penalty. Cannon stepped up confidently and calmly sent Alnwick the wrong way to level the scores.

With momentum firmly on United’s side, further substitutions followed, including a run-out for trialist Rabbi Matondo, and it wasn’t long before the hosts completed the comeback in spectacular fashion.

The pick of the afternoon’s goals arrived when Sam McCallum unleashed a stunning strike from around 25 yards that flew into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance and capping another impressive attacking spell.

United sealed victory seven minutes later. Matondo showed good persistence to keep an attack alive, allowing Tahith Chong to collect possession before driving a composed low finish into the far corner to make it 3-1.

The Blades could have added to the scoreline during the closing stages. Gustavo Hamer twice fired over from promising positions, while Matondo thought he had marked his outing with a goal, only for the offside flag to deny him.

Sheffield United continue their pre-season campaign in South Yorkshire when they entertain Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon.