English Premier League

Sheffield United 0 – 1 Southampton

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says his side “have to wise up quickly” after they were beaten by Southampton in a tight game at Bramall Lane.

Saints summer signing Moussa Djenepo scored the deciding goal as he brilliantly weaved through the Blades defence before firing home midway through the second half.

But prior to falling behind, the hosts saw a goal ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee when Oliver McBurnie thought he had put them in front shortly after the break.

The Blades have now won just one of their opening five games on their Premier League return.

“This is a game we should have definitely got something from – at minimum a draw,” Wilder told BBC Sport.

“We have got to wise up quickly. With the number of chances we created, we can’t come away not scoring – it is absolutely ridiculous.

“We want to win games and we have to open up, so for us to create 17 chances shows we’re playing in a way to try and win games of football. We will always do that.”

As well as seeing a goal disallowed, the hosts also saw second-half substitute Billy Sharp sent off late on for a rash challenge on Stuart Armstrong, while they were denied a penalty when James Ward-Prowse appeared to handle the ball in the area.

The hosts were the better team for large periods and Blades striker David McGoldrick will rue a string of missed chances, although Angus Gunn was impressive in the Saints goal, making four good saves.

However, Ralph Hassenhuttl’s team held firm and had chances of their own before summer signing Djenepo broke the deadlock, notably through Che Adams, who saw his headed effort acrobatically saved by home keeper Dean Henderson.

“I have got to get used to the Premier League, it seems a different game we are involved with. I thought he was correct with the VAR decision [to disallow McBurnie’s goal],” Wilder added.

“But I don’t understand the handball one, I think Ward-Prowse has handled it when three of our boys are right around it. That has gone against us today but in about four weeks’ time we will have someone come out and say ‘we got that one wrong’.

“Other bits and pieces I have got to get used to; players going down before there is contact, looking to give the referee a difficult decision. But I have no qualms about Billy’s sending off – it was just disappointing because his impact on the game was great.”

Victory for Saints means they have claimed back-to-back away league wins for the first time since March 2017 following their win at Brighton prior to the international break.

It also sees them climb to 10th while the Blades slide to 13th.

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Source – BBC