Chris Wilder Reflects on Derby Day Delight As Sheffield United Secure Double Over the Owls | OneFootball

Sheffield United secured a historic double over Sheffield Wednesday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Hillsborough, thanks to Rhian Brewster’s close-range finish in front of the home side’s Kop.

The win marks the first time the Blades have done the league double over their city rivals since the 2005/06 season and the three points sees them jump to level on 80 points with league leaders Leeds United.

The Owls started on the front foot, dominating possession and pushing United deep into their own half. Their relentless pressure nearly paid off when Michael Smith connected with a pinpoint cross from Hatsuse, forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

As the first half drew to a close, Sheffield United had a golden chance to take the lead. Ben Brereton Diaz set up Harrison Burrows, whose low-driven shot flashed dangerously across the face of goal, just out of Tyrese Campbell’s reach.

Wednesday came close to opening the scoring with what was arguably the move of the match. Barry Bannan surged forward, threading a precise ball to Smith, who flicked it into the path of Josh Windass. Windass’ goal-bound strike, however, was deflected over the bar, much to the frustration of the home fans.

At the other end, Sheffield United made their second-half pressure count. Campbell skillfully weaved past Michael Ihiekwe at the byline before whipping in a dangerous cross. Wednesday goalkeeper James Beadle managed to get a hand to it, but the sheer power of the delivery allowed Rhian Brewster to pounce from six yards out, slotting home the only goal of the game.

Wednesday nearly snatched a dramatic equaliser in the dying moments. A thunderous volley from substitute Marvin Johnson forced Cooper into parrying it, and the rebound fell invitingly to Svante Ingelsson. With the goal gaping, the Swedish midfielder fired over the bar, spurning a golden opportunity to salvage a point.

Chris Wilder Reflects on Derby Day Delight As Sheffield United Secure Double Over the Owls

Blades boss Chris Wilder, speaking on SUTV, was full of pride after the game, reflecting on the club’s journey over the past decade and their current position of dominance over Wednesday.

“It feels good. I talked to the players before and mentioned how we were ridiculed for so long; six seasons in League One, pub league and all stuff like that when I took over in 2016. I still talk about it to my pals, United and Wednesday pals. I was sat in a pub, would you believe, shock, watching Wednesday vs Hull and I said if Wednesday win today to get into the Premier League they might be gone for 15-20 years. They didn’t and we managed to slowly close the gap, 100 points in the first season. Then we came here and won 4-2, the Meadowhall league manager against the Champions League manager, the season afterwards we sold David Brooks and with a profit of £6m and the 13th/14th highest budget in the division we managed to finish runners-up. We found ourselves in the Premier League: 9th finish, then a disappointing season. Then playoffs. I’m sure we would’ve gone up if Paul [Heckingbottom] got the job at the start of the season, or I’d have stayed, without being arrogant about it. The next season we go up, a disappointing season.”

He added: “What I wanted to do was adjust the narrative, adjust the narrative of where we were, that we weren’t pub league, that we weren’t ridiculed. Nobody cared about us. Nobody was abusing me, nobody was trying to run me down in a car or whatever when that happened, and all of a sudden it changes and changes and changes, and now we’re a little bit more of a rival, a little bit more of a threat, then we go above them, then we go even further above them, and now we’re 31 points above them. It’s amazing. I wanted us to dominate the city at academy level, we’re doing that. I wanted us to have the best ground, we’re definitely doing that.”

Wilder was especially pleased for the goalscorer, Brewster, who has battled injuries and setbacks since joining the club.

“He’s had massive injuries, but mentally and physically, he’s given everything for moments like that. He’s scored in front of their Kop to win 1-0 and give us the double; he deserves that.”

The Blades boss was also full of praise for goalkeeper Michael Cooper, who produced another composed performance to secure his 19th clean sheet of the campaign.

“He’s not bad is he? His performances have been outstanding, another clean sheet. He’s there to make saves. I think the first one is a pretty comfortable save from Smith, the second one is a decent save. His calmness is incredible, whether where he’s from in the country is the reason without being too controversial, he’s down to earth, gets on with his job. He’s been outstanding.”

After the full-time whistle, Wilder and the Blades players held the number two shirt, of the late George Baldock, in the air. An unbelievable human being that was taken far too soon in 2024, the former Blades right-back was full of intensity and passion, and he thrived in games such as the Steel City derby.

Wilder touched on the emotional tribute, he said, “The tragic death of an incredible player, an incredible culture carrier, popular player among ex-players and players here. We all knew his journey. He’s been on the journey, so when we talk about the likes of Chris Basham, Billy Sharp, David McGoldrick, Oli McBurnie, Iliman Ndiaye, Sander Berge, he’s right up there. Absolutely right up there because of what he was about. I remember him coming here when we played in the 4-2 and he was absolutely outstanding and he would’ve loved today; it would’ve been right down his street. Yet again we recognise him, he’s not forgotten, we have his shirt up [in the dressing room] in every game and he’s there with us and we wish he was still here.”

Sheffield United will rightfully celebrate doing the double over Sheffield Wednesday, but coming out of this international break, it’s back to the grind of the Championship once more as they host one of the most in-form teams in the division, Coventry City, on Friday the 28th of March.