Ben Brereton Diaz scored the decisive goal as Sheffield United secured a 1-0 Championship victory over Wrexham at Bramall Lane. The win on Friday night ended a run of two straight league defeats for the Blades, with the 30th-minute strike from Ben Brereton being the only goal of the game.
Brereton Diaz struck after half an hour, converting a chance to give his side a lead they would not relinquish. "It gives Blades the lead," the forward said of his contribution, which proved to be the match-winner. The result moves Sheffield United on from a recent sequence of one win, one draw and three losses in their last five outings, a run that included a 1-1 draw with Derby and a 3-2 defeat at Portsmouth.
Recent struggles
The three points provide a welcome boost ahead of a trip to Deepdale to face Preston on Tuesday 3 November. Before this win, United's form had been inconsistent, with the 1-1 draw against Derby on Saturday 24 October preceding a 1-0 win at Bristol City on Saturday 17 October and that 3-2 loss at Portsmouth on Monday 14 October. Patrick Bamford, who scored the equaliser against Derby, remains the team's top scorer this season with five goals in 11 appearances, but it was Brereton Diaz who delivered the key moment here.
Sheffield United's next challenge is a quick turnaround with that away fixture against Preston. The clean sheet against Wrexham will be a particular positive for the defence after conceding multiple goals in recent weeks, including in the losses to Portsmouth and Stoke City.
The victory lifts some immediate pressure and provides a platform as the Championship season continues its relentless pace. United now prepare for their midweek journey north, looking to build on a result that halted a run of three defeats in their last five matches.
First reported at skysports.com
Manager Chris Wilder said Romelle Donovan has "a huge part to play" this season after the winger's performance in the 1-0 win over Wrexham. The Brentford loanee, making his first start since August, delivered nine crosses before being substituted late on. Wilder told reporters the 20-year-old was "outstanding" and would be involved across the remaining 33 league games. Donovan provided the assist for Patrick Bamford's goal in the 1-1 draw with Derby on October 24.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson questioned his side's effort and desire after their 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane. He said his team produced a woeful first-half performance and lacked creativity all game, registering only one attempt on target. The result was Sheffield United's 1-0 win over Wrexham on October 30, a victory that ended a run of two straight league defeats for the Blades.
