Report

Wilder joy as McAtee's super strike earns Sheff Utd win

9 Dec 2023

Midfielder's curling shot enough to beat Brentford for new manager at Bramall Lane

Sheffield United picked up only their second win of the season as they beat Brentford 1-0 thanks to a fantastic goal from James McAtee.

The Manchester City loanee’s first Premier League goal was enough to secure all three points at Bramall Lane as manager Chris Wilder got his first win since his return to the club on Tuesday.

How the match unfolded

Yoane Wissa and Keane Lewis-Potter came into the Brentford side looking to step up in the absence of the injured Bryan Mbeumo, while the Bees were boosted by Christian Norgaard’s return from suspension.

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After a quiet start, Brentford players appealed for a penalty in the 27th minute when Anel Ahmedhodzic brought down Ethan Pinnock, but referee Stuart Attwell was not interested.

Three minutes later, Frank Onyeka survived a VAR check for a red card after a poor challenge on Vinicius Souza which left the midfielder needing treatment for five minutes.

Sheff Utd took the lead on the stroke of half-time as McAtee produced a stunning strike to beat Mark Flekken, curling the ball into the far corner from the right side of the box.

Substitute Anis Slimane missed a huge chance in the 56th minute to double Sheff Utd’s lead as he shot straight at Flekken from point-blank range after Cameron Archer had won the ball high up the pitch and teed up his team-mate.

Flekken was forced into another save with 10 minutes to go when Archer went through on goal. Archer overpowered Ben Mee to get to a loose ball but could not beat the goalkeeper with his shot.

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Slimane burst into the box just a minute later as the Blades pushed hard for a second goal, but the Tunisian could only find the side-netting from a very tight angle.

The Bees threw everything at an equaliser but fell short in the end despite efforts from Wissa and Mee.

Sheff Utd are still bottom with eight points. Brentford remain 11th but are level on 19 points with three other teams.