Sheffield United 1-0 Brentford: James McAtee’s wonder goal gives Blades much-needed win

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said “you have to enjoy days like today” after a wonderful James McAtee goal was enough to beat Brentford and give him a first win since returning to the club.

Wilder said after a tough start to the season it was important to celebrate the victory but added that he would not get carried away.

“The key now is to have more of these days like today. It’s about small steps. Everybody played their part,” he added.

The win is only Sheffield United’s second in the Premier League this season and came in Wilder’s second match back in charge following a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in midweek.

It was also the Blades’ first clean sheet of the season but it was not enough for them to jump off the foot of the table as they remained bottom on goal difference from Burnley, with both sides on eight points from 16 games.

Blades sub Anis Ben Slimane missed a great chance to make it 2-0 after 56 minutes as he shot straight at Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal.

Brentford, without top scorer Bryan Mbeumo through injury, struggled to create many openings as they fell to a fourth defeat in their last five games.

“We have had two days training [since I arrived]. We were a bit off in the first half. Is that because of what they did on Wednesday? Possibly,” Wilder said.

“We possibly should have put the game to bed before the end. This is a day to be celebrated and then we move on to Chelsea [next Saturday],” he added.

Goalmouth action had been few and far between when Brentford’s Frank Onyeka was bailed in the 29th minute for a tackle on Vini Souza with the high challenge checked for a potential red card by the video assistant referee but it remained a yellow.

The game suddenly sprung to life in the closing moments of the first half as Sheffield United forward Will Osula hit the side-netting after being played through by Gustavo Hamer before Brentford’s Neal Maupay was denied by Jack Robinson’s block.

Magical McAtee makes the difference

McAtee’s goal came after the visitors made a mess of clearing the ball and Gustavo Hamer found the 21-year-old who stepped inside and hit a shot which gave Flekken no chance.

Wilder was full of praise for McAtee’s “outstanding” performance.

He added: “He has great ability and he loves playing for this club. He wanted to come back here after last season.

“I’m delighted to be managing him and to have the chance of trying to get something out of him.”

Brentford ‘have to keep going’

The Bees have slipped into a poor run of form as they face a stern test of their squad depth with a host of injuries to key players.

Yoane Wissa had a couple of half-chances saved as Brentford rarely threatened an equalizer but boss Thomas Frank said he cannot complain about the effort of his players.

“This is the Premier League. You can quickly run into a patch of games and you can lose four in five.

“Unfortunately it has happened right now. We have to keep going. Injuries don’t help any team. I think we have a little bit too many,” he added.