Wrexham 5-3 Sheffield United: Blades Gift Wrexham All Three Points in Christmas Cracker | OneFootball

Sheffield United threw away vital points away at Wrexham in a 5-3 defeat on Boxing Day after being a couple of goals up.

The Blades kicked off the scoring early in the first half with a moment of magic from Patrick Bamford as his improvised left-footed flick arched into the far left side of the net with a kiss off the post aiding him. Within minutes, a fizzed cross from Wrexham eventually saw Tyler Bindon put the ball into his own net to level the game.

Bamford got his brace when he latched onto Femi Seriki’s cross at the back post. United then added a third when a long throw-in was inadvertently flicked on by former Blade Kieffer Moore as Callum O’Hare timed his run into the six-yard box and nodded home. Moments later, Moore found the back of the net from a corner.

The home side drew level when Ryan Longman arrived at the back post and nodded the ball beyond Michael Cooper early in the second half. Moore added his second of the game with a clever finish into the roof of the net before former Owl Josh Windass emphatically dispatched a penalty which was awarded in controversial fashion.

Lineups

Wrexham: Okonkwo, Doyle, Cleworth, Hyam, Windass (Rodriguez 90), Thomason, Sheaf, Moore (Smith 82) Broadhead (Rathbone 85), James, Longman.

Unused: Burton, Coady, Cacace, Dobson, Scarr, Barnett.

Blades: Cooper, Tanganga, McCallum (Brooks 82), Arblaster, Bindon, Hamer, O’Hare (Ings 82), Chong (Burrows 63), Seriki, Riedewald (Soumaré 72), Bamford (Campbell 72).

Unused: A. Davies, Cannon, McGuinness, Matos.

First Half

WREXHAM, WALES – DECEMBER 26: Patrick Bamford of Sheffield United (2nd R) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wrexham AFC and Sheffield United at Racecourse Ground on December 26, 2025 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

Sam McCallum delivered a dangerous cross that Callum O’Hare headed wide, setting the tone for a breathless encounter. Wrexham responded immediately at the other end, Callum Doyle trying his luck from distance, though his effort was comfortably held by Michael Cooper.

The Blades struck first on seven minutes. A slick passage of play involving Tahith Chong and Oliver Arblaster carved Wrexham open, before the ball was worked wide to Femi Seriki. His pinpoint cross was met with a deft flick from Patrick Bamford, who guided the ball into the corner to give United the lead.

That advantage lasted barely two minutes. Former Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass’ shot from George Thomason’s cross took a deflection off Bindon on its way past Cooper.

United responded impressively and were back in front by the 15th minute. Once again Seriki was the creator, whipping in a devilish cross from the right. Bamford reacted quickest inside the box, converting from close range to claim his second goal of the afternoon.

Wrexham were far from out of it. Moore, who joined the Welsh side from United in the summer, came agonisingly close when his goalbound header was nodded off the line by Arblaster. Moments later, however, United extended their lead. McCallum’s long throw was inadvertently flicked on by Moore into the path of O’Hare, who headed home from close range to make it 3-1.

Five minutes later the visitors struck back again. Thomason’s corner found Moore, whose header flew into the back of the net to reduce the deficit. United nearly added a fourth just before the break when Bamford slipped Chong in behind, but from a tight angle his low shot was well saved.

Second Half

The second half began in dramatic fashion, with Wrexham drawing level six minutes after the restart. Thomason was again the provider, his cross met by Longman, who headed home to make it 3-3.

Tempers began to fray as both Hamer and Longman were booked, the latter for a foul right on the edge of the area. From the resulting free-kick, Hamer drilled a fierce effort towards goal, forcing Okonkwo into a fine diving save to his left. At the other end, Cooper was again required to punch clear a Doyle header from a corner.

Wrexham completed the turnaround with 14 minutes remaining. Broadhead teed up his Welsh teammate Moore, who calmly finished to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match.

United almost hit back immediately. Seriki once more caused problems down the right, finding Hamer, whose cut-back picked out Arblaster, but his close-range effort was brilliantly saved. The decisive moment came soon after when Bindon was adjudged to have fouled Thomason inside the area despite minimal contact. Windass stepped up and converted the penalty emphatically to put the game beyond United.

There was still time for late drama. Substitute Tyrese Campbell came inches away from a stunning consolation, his volley crashing against the underside of the crossbar in stoppage.

Sheffield United will feel massively disappointed to not come away with a single point despite having a two-goal advantage at one stage in the game. They have a chance to put it right on Monday night when they travel to Stoke City.