West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Sheffield United: Blades Shutdown By Baggies | OneFootball

Sheffield United’s unbeaten streak came to an end in miserable fashion as they fell to a 2-0 defeat away at West Bromwich Albion on Friday night.

The Baggies took the lead five minutes into the second half through Aune Heggebo after the forward made a darting run to the near post and connected with a low cross. Ten minutes or so later, West Brom doubled their lead in extremely controversial fashion as Karlan Grant raced away after tripping Mark McGuinness, but his finish was hard and high leaving Michael Cooper little chance.

Lineups

West Brom: Wildsmith, Phillips, Styles, Bielik, Campbell, Molumby, Grant, Johnston (Iling-Junior 90),Diakité, Heggebo (Dike 90), Price (Taylor 84).

Unused: Griffiths, Wallis, Mepham, Maja, Gilchrist, Bostock.

Blades: Cooper, Tanganga, Hamer, Brooks (Chong 60), Burrows, Soumaré (Arblaster 60), Campbell (Cannon 69), McGuinness, Seriki, Riedewald (O’Hare 69), Bamford (Ings 84).

Unused: A. Davies, McCallum, Bindon, Matos.

First Half

United had the better of the opening exchanges, with Djibril Soumaré setting the tone early by applying pressure on the Albion defence. His early challenge sparked a neat combination between Bamford and Campbell, creating space for Gustavo Hamer. The midfielder forced a fine early save from Albion goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith as the Blades emerged as the brighter side.

On 12 minutes, United’s high press nearly paid dividends again. Campbell closed down Wildsmith, whose attempted clearance cannoned back off Hamer, the ball rolling agonisingly towards goal before spinning wide.

The home side’s best moments of the first half came midway through. Grant delivered a dangerous cross that Mikey Johnston volleyed against Harrison Burrows, before the resulting corner was headed over by Ousmane Diakité.

United finished the half strongly. A brilliant counter-attack, featuring a clever lay-off from Bamford, saw Hamer play a first-time pass in behind for Campbell, whose effort from a tight angle was well blocked.

Shortly after, another break began with Michael Cooper’s quick throw, allowing Hamer to release Campbell down the channel. The forward drove into the area and crossed towards Bamford, but the ball rebounded to Soumaré on the edge. The midfielder skipped into the box but blazed his effort over when a cut back would’ve been more favourable.

Albion almost snatched the lead just before the interval when Heggebo failed to capitalise on a knockdown, miscuing his effort high and wide from a promising position.

Second Half

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United shows appreciation to the fans following defeat in the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United at The Hawthorns on December 12, 2025 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The hosts started the second half strongly and took the lead on 50 minutes. Their in-form striker Heggebo played a key role in the build-up, linking play neatly before moving the ball wide to Campbell on the right. Campbell delivered a low cross that the striker met in stride to finish clinically at the near post.

United then lost possession inside the Albion half, allowing the hosts to counter quickly. A ball in behind released Karlan Grant, and despite a clip on the falling McGuinness, play was waved on. McGuinness’s appeals for a foul went unanswered, adding to United’s frustration.

Momentum firmly swung Albion’s way, and United struggled to regain control. Diakité went close to doubling the lead soon after, firing over from inside the area when well placed following Isaac Price’s cross, as the hosts continued to press their advantage.

The Blades lacked any sort of cutting edge all night as their recent momentum has now firmly been halted.