Oxford United 1-0 Sheffield United: Blades Lack Cutting Edge in Disappointing Loss | OneFootball

Sheffield United were disappointingly poor at the Kassam Stadium as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to relegation strugglers Oxford United.

The only goal of the game came in the first half when Siriki Dembele latched onto a loose ball in the box following a long throw-in, and he slotted past Michael Cooper while the Blades defenders stood and watched.

Chris Wilder named an unchanged starting eleven, but he was glad to have Vinicius Souza on the bench.

Lineups

Oxford: Cumming, Brown, Vaulks, Placheta (Goodrham 81), Brannagan (El Mizouni 87), Harris (Bradshaw 87), Romeny (Matos 67), Nelson, Dembele (Bennett 81), Ter Avest, Helik.

Unused: Ingram, Long, Rodrigues.

Blades: Cooper, Brewster (O’Hare 76), Hamer, Burrows, Ahmedhodžić, Robinson, Brereton Diaz (Rak-Sakyi 58), Campbell (Moore 67), Choudhury (Souza 58), Seriki, Peck (Cannon 76).

Unused: A. Davies, Gilchrist, McCallum, Holding.

First Half

Rhian Brewster sparked the contest into action for the Blades, firing a shot on the turn that took a slight deflection but failed to trouble the keeper significantly. Oxford quickly responded, with centre-half Michal Helik meeting Dembele’s well-delivered corner with a firm header, but it was straight at Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper.

The game continued to open up as Burrows was denied by Cumming at the near post following a neat through ball from Hamer. Vaulks then attempted a volley from distance, though it was comfortably gathered by Cooper.

The away side remained dangerous on the counter, and it was only the sharp reflexes of Jamie Cumming that kept Tyrese Campbell from scoring with a superb outstretched leg save from close range.

Despite their pressure, Sheffield United fell behind in the 38th minute. A long throw from former Wednesday man Vaulks caused chaos in the box, and when the ball wasn’t properly cleared, Dembele showed calmness at the back post to slot home from close range, giving Oxford the lead.

The Blades responded well after conceding, with Sydie Peck drawing a smart save from Cumming at his near post, but in truth, it was a poor first half from Wilder’s men.

Second Half

OXFORD, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Sydie Peck of Sheffield United kicks during the Sky Bet Championship match between Oxford United FC and Sheffield United FC at Kassam Stadium on April 05, 2025 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Boasting the best away record in the Championship, the Blades pushed hard at the start of the second half, practically having most of the ball, while Oxford had to settle for chasing the ball down and counter-attacking from deep.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder made a double change just before the hour mark, bringing on Vinicius Souza and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, for Hamza Choudhury and Ben Brereton Diaz, to inject fresh energy into the team.

Brewster, who had looked sharp throughout, nearly broke through before an outstanding last-ditch tackle from Brown denied him a clear opportunity. Moments later, Jamie Cumming got down well to gather a tame effort from Tyrese Campbell, who was shortly replaced by Kieffer Moore, with the Blades looking to go more direct.

On 70 minutes, Peck came close to levelling the match with a well-struck effort on the run that had Cumming scrambling across his goal, but it fizzed narrowly wide of the post. In response, Wilder made his final roll of the dice by introducing Callum O’Hare and Tom Cannon, for Sydie Peck and Rhian Brewster, as United pushed relentlessly for an equaliser.

As the game entered added time, Sheffield United continued to press, and they nearly found a breakthrough when a long throw from Jack Robinson fell kindly to Rak-Sakyi at the back post. But with bodies flying everywhere, the winger couldn’t get a clean connection.

The Blades are now sandwiched between league leaders Burnley and third-place Leeds United. With Leeds mustering up a draw at Luton, Wilder’s men missed a huge opportunity to make a 4-point gap to third.