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Post by Football News on Apr 18, 2021 17:12:54 GMT
Sheffield United were relegated to the Championship after Willian Jose's first goal for Wolves secured victory.
The visitors knew, following Newcastle's win over West Ham earlier on Saturday, that they had to avoid defeat at Molineux to delay their inevitable demotion for a few days.
But it was Wolves who edged a poor game of few chances, when they broke downfield after Enda Stevens' shot had been blocked. Adama Traore created room close to the goalline and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box, which Jose swept home.
It broke the Brazilian's Wolves duck in his 11th game for the club, having signed on loan from Real Sociedad in January.
The Blades tried to respond and Stevens brought an excellent save from Rui Patricio with a powerful shot from an angle.
However, there was no preventing a relegation that has seemed certain since an abysmal start to the season brought just one point from their opening 13 games.
And at the final whistle, a number of Blades players dropped to their haunches.
Sheffield United's relegation came on the same day that Norwich's immediate return to the Premier League was confirmed.
Interim Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom believes the club should follow the Canaries' example and keep as much of the squad together as possible.
"It has to be the goal to come straight back," he said.
"This incredible journey started in League One. Look at Norwich, Watford, Bournemouth, who are doing well after they got relegated last season. Keeping the group together has to be a priority."
Sad but inevitable end for Blades
If it was a night to celebrate for the Wolves goalscorer, there was only more frustration for Rhian Brewster.
The 21-year-old arrived amid much expectation from Liverpool at the start of the season but the £23.5m striker is yet to score for the Blades.
He never looked like doing so in this game, although in fairness to Brewster, the service he received was inadequate.
It can only be hoped his and Sheffield United's confidence can be restored by dropping down a level. Norwich's promotion back to the top flight on Saturday - a year after they were relegated - underlines the potential for clubs going down to return at the first opportunity.
Evidently, there are issues that need to be addressed at Bramall Lane.
Heckingbottom has presided over four successive Premier League defeats since replacing Chris Wilder last month. His team have only scored once in that time.
Indeed, Sheffield United are still one goal short of matching the all-time lowest tally in an English league season - with Loughborough scoring just 18 times in the second tier in 1899-1900.
They are also still three short of matching Derby's total of 20 goals from their 2007-08 campaign, which is the fewest in Premier League history.
On Friday, chairman Prince Musaad Bin Khalid Al Saud announced he was standing down, leaving another key role needing to be filled. The resolve of owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to drive the rebuild will be tested over the coming months.
If there is any consolation from a chronic campaign for Sheffield United fans, it can be found in the difficulties of their great rivals from across the city.
Sheffield Wednesday are also mired in relegation trouble and the Steel City is bracing itself for both senior clubs going down in the same season for the first time.
"There's a lot of hurt in that dressing room," added Heckingbottom. "That game encapsulates our season.
"Everyone knows and we have to look forward. We have to behave in the correct way, on and off the pitch. Careers are at stake. The fight is there but we have come up short."
BBC
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Post by Avinalaff on Apr 18, 2021 17:33:24 GMT
They were great last season, so definitely unexpected.
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Post by jimmy on Apr 20, 2021 11:52:23 GMT
They were great last season, so definitely unexpected. If the 6 teams get banned then they might not get relegated. |
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Post by rugbytoffee on Apr 22, 2021 12:45:13 GMT
Never really got battered, last season won many games by the odd goal, this season lost by the odd goal. Fine margins
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