16-12-2017, 20:57
Preston North End 1 (Hugill) Sheffield United 0
PNE: Maxwell, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, Fisher (O'Connor 27), Pearson, Gallagher (Browne 77), Barkhuizen, Johnson, Robinson (Harrop 77), Hugill. Subs (not used): Boyle, Horgan, Mavididi, Rudd.
Sheffield United: Moore, Carter-Vickers (Donaldson 68), Stearman, O'Connell, Baldock (Lafferty 58)), Lundstram, Carruthers (Slater 74), Stevens, Sharp, Clarke. Subs (not used): Wright, Lavery, Henegan, Blackman. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex) Attendance: 15,202 (3,850 away)
Deserved win for the Whites after a hard fought game against a useful Blades side who actually didn't force Chris Maxwell to make a meaningful save all afternoon. Took North End a while to get going today the Blades dominated midfiled with Chris Basham running the show however once we started to play the ball more on the floor we looked the better side.
As with last week Maxwell received his get out of jail card early, this week after about 30 seconds when his scuffed clearance landed at the feet of Clarke who delayed too long and was denied by two home defenders who blocked his effort on goal.
Maxwell struggled early on with a couple of cross which luckily were headed wide by well placed United players.
At the other end only Robinson caused the Blades danger with his ability to run at defenders, he had one shot well saved by Moore in the Blades goal. Towards half time the tide began to turn and North End almost took the lead from a Gallagher free kick which clipped the top of the bar.
We upped our game in the second half and started to pass it more, looked far more dangerous, Robinson was unlucky at the end of a fine flowing move when firing narrowly passed the far post, however just shy of the hour into the lead we went, quick throw in, inch perfect Robinson cross and at the back post was the big man Hugill to volley home, it had been coming.
United went for broke bringing on Donaldson and leaving three up front, had a lot of the ball but in truth never looked like scoring. We had half chances to increase the lead but didn't take them but didn't really matter the points were ours.
Up to ninth six games unbeaten, not bad apparently for everybody else's worse teams they have seen this season.
Hugill gave the defenders a hard afternoon, Pearson did a lot of unseen work but now seems to be cutting out his disciplinary problems, the defence was great but Cllum Robinson was a danger and personal view top lad this afternoon.
Preston manager Alex Neil:
"It's been a good spell for us. We've come up against a lot of different challenges so we are delighted with what we have done.
"Sheffield United are a really difficult team to play against. I felt at half-time we hadn't moved the ball well enough and a couple of individuals could give a bit more and they gave us that second half, which is why we won the game.
"We have a plan A, B, C and D, and the players can slip into different shapes quite easily. I have a young clever squad who are hungry and want to learn."
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder:
"I don't like the spike that's appeared in the team over the last few weeks. I don't enjoy it. I am one for a consistent approach and performances and we are not getting it.
"I think some of them may have taken their eye off the ball a little bit. If that's the case they (had) better get ready for the consequences of taking their eye off the ball.
PNE: Maxwell, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, Fisher (O'Connor 27), Pearson, Gallagher (Browne 77), Barkhuizen, Johnson, Robinson (Harrop 77), Hugill. Subs (not used): Boyle, Horgan, Mavididi, Rudd.
Sheffield United: Moore, Carter-Vickers (Donaldson 68), Stearman, O'Connell, Baldock (Lafferty 58)), Lundstram, Carruthers (Slater 74), Stevens, Sharp, Clarke. Subs (not used): Wright, Lavery, Henegan, Blackman. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex) Attendance: 15,202 (3,850 away)
Deserved win for the Whites after a hard fought game against a useful Blades side who actually didn't force Chris Maxwell to make a meaningful save all afternoon. Took North End a while to get going today the Blades dominated midfiled with Chris Basham running the show however once we started to play the ball more on the floor we looked the better side.
As with last week Maxwell received his get out of jail card early, this week after about 30 seconds when his scuffed clearance landed at the feet of Clarke who delayed too long and was denied by two home defenders who blocked his effort on goal.
Maxwell struggled early on with a couple of cross which luckily were headed wide by well placed United players.
At the other end only Robinson caused the Blades danger with his ability to run at defenders, he had one shot well saved by Moore in the Blades goal. Towards half time the tide began to turn and North End almost took the lead from a Gallagher free kick which clipped the top of the bar.
We upped our game in the second half and started to pass it more, looked far more dangerous, Robinson was unlucky at the end of a fine flowing move when firing narrowly passed the far post, however just shy of the hour into the lead we went, quick throw in, inch perfect Robinson cross and at the back post was the big man Hugill to volley home, it had been coming.
United went for broke bringing on Donaldson and leaving three up front, had a lot of the ball but in truth never looked like scoring. We had half chances to increase the lead but didn't take them but didn't really matter the points were ours.
Up to ninth six games unbeaten, not bad apparently for everybody else's worse teams they have seen this season.
Hugill gave the defenders a hard afternoon, Pearson did a lot of unseen work but now seems to be cutting out his disciplinary problems, the defence was great but Cllum Robinson was a danger and personal view top lad this afternoon.
Preston manager Alex Neil:
"It's been a good spell for us. We've come up against a lot of different challenges so we are delighted with what we have done.
"Sheffield United are a really difficult team to play against. I felt at half-time we hadn't moved the ball well enough and a couple of individuals could give a bit more and they gave us that second half, which is why we won the game.
"We have a plan A, B, C and D, and the players can slip into different shapes quite easily. I have a young clever squad who are hungry and want to learn."
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder:
"I don't like the spike that's appeared in the team over the last few weeks. I don't enjoy it. I am one for a consistent approach and performances and we are not getting it.
"I think some of them may have taken their eye off the ball a little bit. If that's the case they (had) better get ready for the consequences of taking their eye off the ball.
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