Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United player ratings: 9/10 Blades ace delivers glory in Steel City derby
The blue and red half of the Steel City clashed at Hillsborough today, with Sheffield United taking the three points in a narrow 1-0 win.
With plenty to play for on both sides, Sheffield Wednesday went into the game as an outside candidate for the play-offs this season, while Sheffield United are still hunting for the Championship title.
Experts predicted a ‘cagey’ affair, and they were absolutely right. Early dominance for the Owls made way for a power shift in United’s direction in the latter stages of the first half, but the teams went in goalless at half-time.
With the action going back and forth, it was United who snatched the lead when Rhian Brewster poked home into an open net after some poor defending from the home side.
From there, the Blades controlled the game, kept possession, and grinded down their opponents to hold onto the lead and secure a crucial three points which takes them joint-top of the Championship table.
Sheffield Wednesday player ratings
A strong start for Wednesday, but their players lost the tussle on the day and were the architects of their own downfall in the end, with poor defending the difference.
James Beadle – 5
Actually had very little to do in the first half. Surely should have got a better hand to the cross for Brewster’s goal – yet another instance of poor command in his area that has cost his team.
Dominic Iorfa – 5
Looked decent down the right but had to shift inside when Max Lowe went off injured. One of many who could be blamed for that Brewster goal, far too easy for the ball to slip past him in the middle.
Michael Ihiekwe – 5
Restricted the United attackers well in the first half. Guilty of being part of the collapse for Wednesday, should not have been beaten that easily before the cross for Brewster’s goal went in.
Max Lowe – 6
His day was unfortunately cut short by injury midway through the first 45, but he looked solid before that.
Ryo Hatsuse – 7
The new signing put in some great ball deliveries — particularly a perfect cross for Michael Smith early on — and some poor balls, too. Won plenty of duels, though, and nullified the threat down his side all game.
Shea Charles – 6
A quiet game for the on-loan man. Influenced things a lot more early on but faded out of it by the end.
Barry Bannan – 5
A disappointing one from the Wednesday skipper, who failed to assert himself on the game and looked anonymous at times.
Callum Paterson – 8
Exemplified the spirit of the Steel City derby with a dogged, determined, and gritty display. Covered so much ground, got stuck in, riled up the opponents, and never stopped working for the team.
Djeidi Gassama – 6
A constant threat down the right hand side. Always looked like he might make something happen, but his final ball and decision-making just needed some work. Sadly wasn’t at his best, and faded into obscurity in the second half.
Josh Windass – 6
Popped up in key areas a couple of times, and had one really promising opportunity blocked by the United defence. Constantly leading the press from the front, but not enough impact on the ball.
Michael Smith – 7
Missed a golden opportunity early on with his head. Some brilliant hold-up play throughout, particularly in the early stages of the second half, bringing his teammates into the game time and time again.
Pol Valentin – 7
Thrown into the mix late in the first half and put in a great shift down the right. Solid defensively, and pushed forward with intent.
Svante Ingelsson – 5
Replaced Patterson with 20 minutes to go. Didn’t look like he could catch up with the pace of the game, and appeared frustrated from the moment he stepped on to the pitch. The ball parried out to him in the dying moments, but he could only hit it over the bar.
Marvin Johnson – 7
Replaced Hatsuse with 20 minutes to go. With Wednesday pinned back in their own half, the wing-back operated more as a defender than offering any attacking threat. Got one huge chance that was saved well by Cooper in the United goal.
Nathaniel Chalobah – 7
We thought Chalobah might start this game, and he did help the Owls wrestle back control of the game when he was introduced.
Anthony Musaba – 6
Replaced Gassama with ten minutes to go. Not much time to make an impact, and the Owls barely got the ball forward to him.
Sheffield United player ratings
Another professional and resolute display from the Blades, who grind out yet another win. A number of Chris Wilder’s players were impressive on the day, putting in the hard work to get the three points and the bragging rights.
Michael Cooper – 9
Pulled off a huge save early on to deny Michael Smith. Commanded his area brilliantly throughout. Another massive save late on to prevent Marvin Johnson from equalising. Our man of the match – Cooper looked so assured and kept Wednesday at arm’s length all game.
Femi Seriki – 7
Made some brilliant progressive carries down the right, posing a threat in attack. Nullified all the threat Wednesday had down the left, but could have shut down one or two crosses a little better.
Anel Ahmedhodzic – 7
A strong display from the big man at the back. Won plenty of headers and ground duels to keep the Owls out of his box.
Jack Robinson – 8
Some fantastic defensive work to clear his lines time and time again, supporting Burrows with the tough task of handling Djeidi Gassama.
Harrison Burrows – 8
Some fantastic defensive work to clear his lines time and time again, supporting Burrows with the tough task of handling Djeidi Gassama.
Harrison Burrows – 8
Did well to deal with Gassama down the wing. Made a massive block to prevent Josh Windass in the second half.
Hamza Choudhury – 7
A solid showing in the middle. Protected the defence, turned over possession time and time again, and just did the simple stuff very well.
Sydie Peck – 7
A passionate and terrier-like display from the young man in midfield. Needed to show a little more discipline at times, but you cannot fault the energy.
Ben Brereton-Diaz – 6
Didn’t make much of an impact in attacking areas. Will be disappointed. Virtually invisible for much of the game.
Rhian Brewster – 8
The goal was an easy one, but Brewster worked so hard, put his body on the line, pressed with intensity, and truly earned the match-winning status.
Gustavo Hamer – 6
One of the quieter players for the Blades. We had expected Hamer to be integral to this game, but he actually had very little influence on the flow of things.
Tyrese Campbell – 7
Like Brewster, another hard-working, relentless display from the forward, who led the line brilliantly, and was a constant thorn in Wednesday’s side. Did well to work the opportunity to play the ball across for Brewster’s goal.
Tom Cannon – 6
Did very little, but by the time he came on, United were seeing the game out.
Callum O’Hare – 6
Not much time to make an impact, but held it firm in the middle for United.
Sam McCallum – 6
Just like O’Hare, McCallum came in and produced what was needed without much fuss.
Rob Holding – N/A
On at the death, not fair to
rate his display given he only played injury time.
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