Jon Dahl Tomasson suffered his second successive defeat as Rovers manager, as Sheffield United made it a week to forget for the Lancashire side, with the Blades running out 3-0 winners, as Rovers’ 28-year wait for a win at Bramall Lane, continues.
Rovers came to Bramall Lane looking to bounce back after their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Reading on Wednesday night and collect their first win at the ground since the 2-1 win back in January 1994 and Jon Dahl Tomasson named a side that had two changes from the midweek fixture. Sam Gallagher returned to the side to start, after coming off the bench in midweek and he replaced Tyrhys Dolan, who dropped to the bench. Tayo Edun also came in, for his first start of the season, replacing Jack Vale, who was also among the substitutes. Ryan Hedges was omitted from the team, altogether, with the Welshman sidelined due to a tight hamstring.
As the home crowd belted out their trademark ‘Greasy Chip Butty’ tune ahead of kick-off, the game was soon started by Rovers, following the referee Leigh Doughty’s whistle. The away side were looking to right the wrongs of Wednesday night’s defeat and try to get back to winning ways.
The hosts started the brighter of the two teams as after four minutes, former Rover Reda Khadra looked to try and get one over his former club, by attempting to chip Thomas Kaminski, but the Belgian was alert and quick enough to tip the ball over the crossbar.
After a quiet period, Sheffield United again came forward in the 17th minute when John Fleck found Oli McBurnie inside the box, but some fantastic awareness from Ashley Phillips saw the former Swansea City forward’s poke towards goal cleared off the line, as the 17-year-old kept the scores goalless.
The deadlock was soon broken in the 31st minutes as Burnley-born Oliver Norwood managed to edge his side ahead with his first goal of the season, which came directly from a free-kick. After Rovers conceded the set-piece on the edge of the area, the Northern Irishman stepped up and matched his goal tally from the whole of last season by whipping the ball past Thomas Kaminski, who was rooted to the spot, as the ball nestled into the top left-hand side of the net, to put the Blades 1-0 up.
In the 42nd minute, Max Lowe was booked for dissent after he kicked the ball away after Rovers were awarded a free-kick.
After Rovers failed to muster anything from the free-kick, two minutes of added time were soon added onto the end of the first period after the clock hit 45 minutes, but with neither side being able to test their opposing number, Leigh Doughty soon called for time on the first-half.
Paul Heckingbottom would have been pleased during the break. Not only had his side managed to get their noses ahead courtesy of a set-piece, but they had spent most of the first period on top and in control of the affair. The Blades boss would have wanted his side to remain focussed and make their home advantage count, to keep Rovers at arm’s length for the remainder of the game.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s reaction to the first period would have been one of frustration as his side found themselves behind by a goal at the break, for the second successive game. Although Rovers were only behind by one goal, the Dane’s side had lacked any kind of threat in the opposition’s final third as they went into the break without a shot on target and were suffocated via the 64% possession that the Blades were holding. The boss would have been very vocal in the changing room to try and inspire his side towards potentially claiming their first comeback points of the season.
Once both sides had returned to the field of play, it was Sheffield United who got the ball rolling for the second-half as they looked to continue their fine start to the season and grab their third victory of the league season.
Although the sides were unchanged going into the second period, Rovers altered their shape as they moved from a five-back system, to a four-back one, with Tayo Edun moving into midfield, to allow Harry Pickering to shuffle back to his more natural left-back position.
The first action of the second period came from the referee, as he booked Sam Gallagher and Anel Ahmedhodžić for battling at a corner.
Two minutes after the booking, Lewis Travis released a long-range effort in an attempt to grab his third of the season and draw Rovers level, but he failed to keep his shot on-target.
Ben Brereton Díaz was soon booked in the 56th minute for delaying the restart of play.
Just after the hour-mark Thomas Kaminski came to Rovers’ rescue as he produced a fantastic save to deny McBurnie from point-blank range. Seconds later, he showed his reflexes and speed as the Belgian denied John Egan’s stretched effort towards goal.
Three minutes later, Rovers called upon Kaminski again, as he denied McBurnie for a third time this game.
Sheffield United made the first change of the game in the 65th minute as Iliman Ndiaye replaced Reda Khadra, looking to try and widen United’s lead.
A minute later, Rovers made their first change of the game as Tyrhys Dolan replaced Sammie Szmodics.
Minute 72 saw Tyler Morton replace Ashley Phillips as Rovers looked to alter the attitude and try and take the game to the hosts.
Despite Rovers trying to get back into the game following their changes, Sheffield United soon put the game out of reach for Rovers in the 73rd minute when Iliman Ndiaye double the hosts’ lead. Sheffield United got down the flank as McBurnie found Sander Berge who was lurking in the area. The Norwegian’s attempt was drilled towards goal, but deflected in off the Senegalese international for 2-0.
Four minutes later, Chris Basham came on to replace George Baldock with 13 minutes of the game left.
2-0 soon became 3-0 for the Blades as their substitution of Ndiaye more than paid off as the Senegalese doubled his tally for the day and trebled that of his side. Travis surrendered the ball inside the home side’s half and the Senegalese pinched it and drove forwards. His pace saw him leave Pickering in his wake, before he skipped past Ayala and curled an effort in off the post to make it 3-0 and cap off a fine afternoon with a sublime goal.
In the 87th minute, Paul Heckingbottom made a double change as Tommy Doyle and Rhian Brewster replaced Sander Berge and Oli McBurnie.
As the 90th minute ticked over on the clock, referee Leigh Doughty added on four extra minutes onto the end of the game, as Rovers’ misery was extended.
The final act of the game saw Thomas Kaminski deny Rhian Brewster from extending the Blades’ lead, as moments later, the curtains were soon lowered on a diabolical game from Rovers’ perspective.
This game, not only highlighted Rovers’ need to further dip into the transfer market with the Blues failing to register a shot on target today, but also emphasised the need for more patience to be instilled into the young team and the management staff. Although this hasn’t been a good week for Rovers, losing 6-0 on aggregate across both games this week, there is still a long way to go, yet the honeymoon period is well and truly over for Rovers and their new backroom staff. With just under two weeks left in the transfer window, Head Coach Jon Dahl Tomasson and Director of Football, Gregg Broughton will be looking to put their heads together to try and hasten the addition of more bodies through the door at Brockhall.
Following that disappointing afternoon in the Steel City, Rovers have been knocked off top spot by their hosts, who replaced them. Despite only dropping down to 4th, with nine points on the board, Rovers’ goal-difference has also turned to negative at -1.
Rovers will now be looking to turn things around in their next game, which will be an away trip to face Bradford City in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday 23rd August at 7:45pm. Following that clash, Rovers are back at Ewood Park and host Stoke City on Saturday 27th August at 3pm before a short away trip to the seaside to face Blackpool comes up on the calendar, on Wednesday 31st August at 8pm, live on Sky Sports.
