Wolves Pip Sheffield United 1-0
Pablo Sarabia’s first-half header gave Wolves a hard-fought Premier League win over bottom club Sheffield United at Molineux.
The Spain winger was left totally unmarked as he registered his third goal of the campaign for the hosts, flicking Rayan Ait-Nouri’s left-wing delivery into the top right corner.
The result lifts Gary O’Neil’s side up to eighth in the table and boosts their hopes of appearing in Europe next season.
It was far from a vintage display from Wolves, with Sarabia’s header their only effort on target until a stoppage-time shot from Joao Gomes, in a contest that saw their determined opponents sit deep and attempt to counter with pace on the break.
And the manner of the Blades’ performance, although not the outcome, will have pleased boss Chris Wilder, who saw his side carve out several good opportunities.
James McAtee had two of Sheffield United’s best chances. However, the on-loan Manchester City midfielder saw a tame first-half effort easily saved by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa and he fizzed a second-half shot just wide of the bottom right corner.
McAtee’s left-wing cross also provided Rhian Brewster with an opportunity to level, but the forward, who had already blazed well wide earlier on from a good position, was unable to turn his effort past Portugal goalkeeper Sa.
However, Wilder would not have been pleased at the sight of two of his players – Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson – squaring up and jostling each other during the first half.
It was a moment of embarrassment for the visitors, who remain eight points adrift of safety and appear to be seeing their slim survival prospects fade with each defeat.
This will undoubtedly go down as an opportunity missed by the visitors, who will travel back to Yorkshire wondering how they did not manage to gain at least a share of the spoils.
On chances created, Sheffield United arguably deserved only their third league win since Wilder’s reappointment as manager in early December.
Even though they can take a vestige of pride from the way they battled back from their thrashing by Brighton eight days ago, their problems in both boxes are clear to see.
No side has scored fewer goals than the Blades this term but they have also conceded 66 goals – the most ever at this stage of a top-flight season since Ipswich Town let in 74 after 26 matches during the 1963-64 campaign.
In contrast, Sarabia’s clinical header ensured it is the quickest Wolves have reached 40 goals in a top-flight campaign since 1971-72.
However, O’Neil will be aware that his side will have to improve if they are to advance when they host Brighton in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).
