Premier League
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers1Sheff UtdSheffield United1

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Sheffield United: Matt Doherty header denies Blades

By Alistair MagowanBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments153

Matt Doherty scores from Raul Jimenez's cross
Matt Doherty scored from Raul Jimenez's cross after Sheffield United had missed several chances

Wolves remain sixth in the Premier League after Matt Doherty's equaliser against Sheffield United extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side were second best until Doherty headed in Raul Jimenez's cross after 64 minutes.

But they finished the game stronger as the Blades, who were fortunate not to have George Baldock sent off, hung on to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

It was a sharp contrast from earlier in the match as the visitors took the lead after 63 seconds.

Lys Mousset took a touch from Baldock's right-wing cross before firing in his fifth goal of the season.

But Chris Wilder's team paid for costly misses by David McGoldrick early in the second half when they were in the ascendancy.

Sheffield United, who have not lost away in the league since January, remain a place below Wolves in seventh.

Chris Wilder delighted with Blades away form

Mousset underlines value to Blades

Wilder would have been pleased his side continued their impressive start to the season, especially as Baldock rode his luck by avoiding a second yellow when he fouled Diogo Jota with 10 minutes left.

But it was a game where Mousset's value was underlined once again, especially as McGoldrick showed why he has not scored this season.

Mousset did not have much Premier League pedigree when he was at former club Bournemouth, scoring only five goals during three seasons after signing from French side Le Havre for about £5m in 2015.

But the 23-year-old, who was captured by the Blades for a then-club record £10m in July, has proven a key player for Wilder's side by adding crucial goals to the team's defensive solidity.

Given he has scored five goals and has three assists, while his fellow strikers have struggled, the Blades' lofty league position would be far inferior without him.

He wasted little time in making his mark at Molineux and set up John Fleck for what should have been a second after 38 minutes when he nutmegged Leander Dendoncker, but the Blades midfielder's low shot was saved by Rui Patricio.

Although McGoldrick was full of endeavour, he toiled in front of goal. The Republic of Ireland international had two chances to double the lead when the Blades were well on top after the break. Both times he could not beat Wolves keeper Patricio.

It proved costly when Doherty headed in at the back post minutes later, with McGoldrick failing to track his runner.

He was eventually substituted to be replaced by Oli McBurnie, who had a late chance to win it when he headed over, but Wilder will not mind too much about McGoldrick's form while his team are still picking up points.

Adama Traore takes on Enda Stevens
Adama Traore was a threat down Wolves' right side, but could not set up a goal

Wolves resilience impresses again

The draw meant that Wolves matched a top-flight unbeaten run last set by the club in 1973.

More pleasing for Nuno will be the way his side reacted to going behind, especially as they played against Braga in Portugal in the Europa League on Thursday.

This was their 27th game of the season and their resilience in combining both domestic and European form after a stuttering start to the campaign has been impressive.

They looked rusty as the visitors took the lead early on but once Jimenez tested Dean Henderson with a header after 18 minutes, they found their feet, and Adama Traore was a dangerous outlet down the right as he outmuscled Enda Stevens on several occasions.

Had there been better composure from Sheffield United's forwards, the hosts may not have been able to respond, yet Doherty's goal seemed to provide a catalyst.

It was an emotional goal as he kissed his black armband in tribute to former Wolves team-mate Benik Afobe, who has lost his two-year-old daughter.

Wolves, who handed a first Premier League start to defender Max Kilman, making him the first former England futsal player to play a full game in the top flight, pressed for a winner.

However, Sheffield United's desperate defending kept clear-cut chances at a premium as the scores remained level.

Man of the match - Lys Mousset

Lys Mousset
Lys Mousset has been directly involved in eight of Sheffield United's last 11 Premier League goals (five goals, three assists).

'It meant a lot for Doherty to score' - manager reaction

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "It's very demanding on the players but it is a good challenge. We must use it to grow and improve as a team. We don't have time to practice, we rest and we repeat. I'm very proud. The draw was well deserved.

"It means a lot for [Matt] Doherty to score today - he had some bad news about a dear friend of his. It was a bad moment in his life so I wish him well. It meant a lot for him and it meant a lot for us as a team."

Nuno pleased with Wolves reaction

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: "We started both halves terrifically. We had plenty of chances and we should have scored more than one.

"We knew they'd fight back after we went ahead because of the fight they have as a team. This is always a tough place to come so I'm delighted we've kept our away record going.

"Lys Mousset showed he can finish against Man Utd and he showed it again today. His partnership with David McGoldrick is going brilliant, too. We're doing a lot of things right at the moment - both with and without the ball.

"We were disappointed with their goal but I'm delighted with how we adapted our game plan."

Blades continue fine away form - the best stats

  • Sheffield United are the first newly promoted side to remain unbeaten in their first seven top-flight away games since Blackburn in 1992-93 (W1 D6).
  • Lys Mousset's goal in the second minute is Sheffield United's second earliest goal scored in a Premier League match, behind only Dane Whitehouse's first-minute opener against Everton in August 1993.
  • Matt Doherty scored in back-to-back games in all competitions for Wolves for the first time since December 2016.
  • Raul Jimenez has been directly involved in 21 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season (15 goals, 6 assists) - the most of any Premier League player.

What's next?

Wolves host West Ham on Wednesday (kick-off 19:30 GMT) while Sheffield United entertain Newcastle United on Thursday (19:30).

Line-ups

Wolves

  • 11Rui Patrício
  • 32DendonckerBooked at 3mins
  • 16Coady
  • 49Kilman
  • 2Doherty
  • 8Neves
  • 28João Moutinho
  • 19Castro Otto
  • 37Traoré
  • 9Jiménez
  • 18Jota

Substitutes

  • 4Vallejo
  • 7Neto
  • 10Cutrone
  • 21Ruddy
  • 29Vinagre
  • 54Otasowie
  • 68Cundle

Sheff Utd

  • 1Henderson
  • 6Basham
  • 12EganBooked at 90mins
  • 5O'ConnellBooked at 63mins
  • 2BaldockBooked at 54mins
  • 7LundstramSubstituted forFreemanat 90+1'minutes
  • 16Norwood
  • 4FleckBooked at 42mins
  • 3StevensBooked at 15mins
  • 22MoussetSubstituted forRobinsonat 86'minutes
  • 17McGoldrickSubstituted forMcBurnieat 73'minutes

Substitutes

  • 8Freeman
  • 9McBurnie
  • 10Sharp
  • 11Robinson
  • 15Jagielka
  • 25Moore
  • 27Besic
Referee:
David Coote
Attendance:
31,642

Match Stats

Home TeamWolvesAway TeamSheff Utd
Possession
Home59%
Away41%
Shots
Home13
Away10
Shots on Target
Home3
Away4
Corners
Home7
Away2
Fouls
Home12
Away18

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Sheffield United 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Sheffield United 1.

  3. Post update

    Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Luke Freeman (Sheffield United).

  5. Post update

    Attempt missed. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the right side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Enda Stevens with a cross.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Sheffield United. Luke Freeman replaces John Lundstram.

  7. Post update

    Attempt missed. João Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.

  8. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jonny.

  9. Booking

    John Egan (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  10. Post update

    Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  11. Post update

    Foul by John Egan (Sheffield United).

  12. Post update

    Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Chris Basham.

  13. Post update

    Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jack O'Connell.

  14. Post update

    Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Adama Traoré.

  15. Post update

    VAR Decision: No card change John Fleck (Sheffield United).

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Sheffield United. Callum Robinson replaces Lys Mousset.

  17. Post update

    Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United).

  19. Post update

    Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  20. Post update

    Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United).

Page 1 of 6
Navigate to the last page

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

153 comments

  • We were very average today and lucky to get a point from the game. Well done to Sheffield. This is not sour grapes but the ref made an awful lot of questionable decisions.

  • A good match between 2 passionate and hungry sides. I think the Blades will be happiest with a point, and the officiating left a lot to be desired, but a good watch for the neutral.

    2 proper clubs with proper fans :-)

  • Draw was fair result but ref was shocking bad decision after bad decision

  • Awful officials again, not fit to referee top flight games. Fair play to Sheffield United, - hard working, average players who leave their foot in. Got a game plan that works and knocked us out of our stride. But how many fouls / yellow cards can you have? Ref lost the plot, bottled it when they should have been down to 10 men.

  • Well done to The Blades..... not for the first time this season.
    An excellent point.
    A breath of fresh air.

  • I like SU but boy do they commit lots of cynical fouls. They should not have finished with 11 on the field.

  • As a wolves STH, I thought a draw was a fair result. Sheffield United look a good solid PL team to me. Hard working, committed and also showing good play at times. The so called big six need to drop their arrogance. Teams like wolves, Leicester, Sheffield United and others are knocking at the door through team work, good management and good recruitment and that will surely make PL better

  • Wolves fan but thought we got a lucky point today as Sheff Utd had the better chances and probably could consider themselves unlucky not to win but we were as shocking as we were against Burnley earlier in the season....can't be top notch all the time though so I'll take it but the referee was abysmal and deffo not PL standard...put it this way I reckon his name is close but shouldn't be Coote ;)

  • Good point for Wolves, let’s not forget Sheff Utd have lost ONE away game (1-0 at Swansea) in well over a year....about 27 matches. Also Sheff Utd now not lost by more than a single goal in their last 62 league and cup matches.

  • Well done, good result after tough week. Sheffield very dogged opponents. Wolves aye we.

  • A good match and Wolves will feel they should have had all three points. The Blades were well organised and stuck to their game plan. 6 and 7 in the table for both teams confirms they are solid sides.

  • 2 good traditional clubs ... good managers , good fans ..great stadiums.
    Decent game by 2 comfortable top half teams.

  • Knew this would be a tough game as Utd like to have a go. After a Europa league game on Thurs I'd have taken a draw tbh. Hats off the SU for turning up and having a go. Great game to watch from 2 sides bucking the trend as they both played to win all game. Onwards and upwards for Wolves and all the best to SU. Fitting that Doherty scored and my heart goes out to him and his great friend Afobe

  • I shall watch MOTD and judge the referee - I expect we'll been on last AGAIN! All the focus on Arsenal who are absolute Cr@p this season but still merit the BBC's attention over the clubs still above them in the league!

  • Players are accountable for their conduct on the pitch so when will the refs in charge of games be held accountable for their performances? The ref today was an utter joke. He favoured Sheff Utd right from the off. That’s not taking anything from the Blades though they played well.

    The man in black today definitely needs an appointment at spec savers.

  • This was a good game. You can see why Blades are up there. Draw a fair result.

    Dire stuff from the referee and the linesman on the far side of the camera.

    And what on Earth was VAR doing checking for two penalties and a red card which no one in the stadium had a clue about?

  • Would like to shout out to Benik Afobe. Such sad news. Doc was clearly emotional.

    I gen hope he can get through this tough time. 2 years of age is so very young. Money can do so much... But not ever bring back the dead.

    Love to him and his whole family. Once a Wolf always a Wolf.

  • @97 I think the Wolves fans who have given the Blades credit for the game today are a real credit to the club they support . Wolves played us off the park the last time we visited and have gone from strength to strength. Seems the lower leagues are soon forgotten by some , as is the fact that it still is , vaguely , a contact sport. 2 decent teams who hopefully will do well this season .

  • l know sheffield played in all white, but does that mean they have to play like dirty leeds in the seventies, how they still had eleven men at the end is a disgrace

  • It’s becoming a very mixed season for Wolves. Only Liverpool have lost fewer games, but only the bottom three have won fewer? If only we could convert a few draws into wins, we would be challenging for a top 4 place?

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Liverpool14131032122040
2Leicester1410223392432
3Man City1492339162329
4Chelsea148242820826
5Tottenham145542421320
6Wolves144821917220
7Sheff Utd144731713419
8Arsenal144732021-119
9Man Utd144642117418
10Burnley145362020018
11Crystal Palace145361318-518
12Bournemouth144461820-216
13West Ham144461723-616
14Newcastle144461322-916
15Aston Villa144372122-115
16Brighton144371621-515
17Everton144281422-814
18Southampton143381532-1712
19Norwich143291530-1511
20Watford14158928-198
View full Premier League table

Top Stories

Also in Sport

Explore the BBC