When team-mates turn on each other instead of the opposition, it does not say much for their chances of staging an unlikely escape from relegation.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder called on his team to ‘swing some punches’ when he returned to the club last December and here Jack Robinson and Vini Souza took his instructions a little too literally.
Trailing to a header from Wolves forward Pablo Sarabia that proved the only goal of the game, Souza and Robinson called one another out before a restart in play, with Souza appearing to shove his team-mate in the face.
Far more frustrating for Wilder was that Wolves got out of jail here. United were the more effective side but could not convert any of their chances, with Rhian Brewster and James McAtee the most culpable. It meant Sarabia’s goal on the half-hour was decisive and Wolves are now eighth, smelling a chance of European football next season. What a fine job Gary O’Neil has done here.
Pablo Sarabia’s headed goal in the 30th minute secured a 1-0 win for Wolves over Sheffield United
It was just the Spaniard’s third goal of the season but it proved to be worth all three points
Sheffield United team-mates Vinicius Souza (L) and Jack Robinson (R) clashed during the game
Auston Trusty attempts to quash the feud after Wolves conceded the only goal of the game
With Matheus Cunha out injured, there was a greater burden on Pedro Neto to unlock the door for Wolves against Blades’ five-man defence. The Portuguese, who is likely to attract huge offers this summer, sent in one cross that was inches away from Sarabia and put another shot wide.
As early as the ninth minute, Blades goalkeeper Ivo Grbic was dawdling over restarts. ‘Boring, boring,’ taunted the South Bank as they awaited an early goal. The excellent Mario Lemina looked like swooping on Nelson Semedo’s deflected cross but was denied by Anel Ahmedhodzic’s boot.
Yet the visitors posed a threat. When Wolves failed to deal with Robinson’s long throw, Rhian Brewster’s effort was blocked by Craig Dawson and Jose Sa kept out his follow-up. Then Jayden Bogle flicked on Grbic’s goal-kick and sent Brewster scurrying on goal, though Toti Gomes did well to put his opponent off balance.
More slack defensive work from Wolves allowed James McAtee a clear run at another hopeful ball over the top, with the home side again rescued by poor finishing.
Wolves showed Wilder’s men how to do it seconds later when Rayan Ait-Nouri cut in from the left and crossed for Sarabia, who drifted between the centre-backs and planted a header beyond Grbic.
Soon afterwards, tempers boiled over in the United ranks and Souza shoved Robinson in the face. A red card would have been extraordinary and though VAR ruled it out, the confrontation was a bad look all round.
It might have been worse for Blades before half-time. Mario Lemina won the ball on the edge of his own box, rode another tackle and delivered a glorious 50-yard pass for Neto, who could not make the most of it. And in the final minute, Auston Trusty produced an important block when Toti wriggled through.
The result continues Wolves’ encouraging form after beating Chelsea and Spurs this month
The Blades, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of the table after four losses in five
United kept wasting half-chances after the break. McAtee put an angled effort wide and Brewster’s effort on the slide at the far post was too close to Sa. Between those moments, Wolves wanted a penalty when Vini Souza’s hand was dangerously close to the ball but had to settle for a corner.
Sarabia nearly scored his second from the best move of the match, a clever exchange of passes with Joao Gomes that allowed the Spaniard to drive inside and hit a clean left-footer that flew narrowly off target.
Semedo’s heart was in his mouth when he was outpaced by Brewster on the flank and promptly hauled him back and was relieved to see only a yellow card. The United players were furious and this certainly felt like one for those who support the introduction of sin bins.
By now those on the South Bank were becoming grumpy. They groaned at Wolves’ slow build-up and lack of rhythm but while they led, the end justified the means.
They were irritated again when Sarabia passed up a clear goalscoring chance with a commendable act of sportsmanship. With Souza down in the Wolves half, apparently with cramp, United keeper Grbic effectively stopped playing well outside his own box. Sarabia took possession and could have driven for goal, only to backtrack and give back the ball.
It was not quite Paolo Di Canio for Sheffield Wednesday at Everton in 2000, but it was a noble gesture nonetheless and several opponents shook Sarabia’s hand. There was still time for Trusty and sub William Osula to go close to an equalise when McAtee turned the ball across goal as Wolves just about hung on.
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