Analysis: Classy Sheffield United exact revenge over Millwall to edge ever closer to promotion

TODAY, the first steps in the UK's divorce from the European Union will be taken when Theresa May formally triggers Article 50.
Sheffield United celebrate after Kieron Freeman scored their second goal against Millwall last night (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).Sheffield United celebrate after Kieron Freeman scored their second goal against Millwall last night (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).
Sheffield United celebrate after Kieron Freeman scored their second goal against Millwall last night (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage).

Sheffield United’s own uncoupling from League One, home for what has felt like six very long years, is not quite at that stage yet.

But, on last night’s evidence, it will not be long before the Blades can hand back their own membership of a union of which they want no part after goals from Jack O’Connell and Kieron Freeman exacted revenge over play-off hunting Millwall.

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Back in August, United crashed to the foot of the table courtesy of a stoppage-time defeat at The Den.

Manager Chris Wilder’s response was to buy a crate of beer for his dejected players on the trek back north.

Seven months on, just nine more points are required to guarantee a return to the Championship that is certain to have the champagne corks popping all around Bramall Lane.

When that moment comes, few will begrudge United their success. After overcoming that difficult start to Wilder’s reign – his first four games yielded a solitary point – the South Yorkshire club have been head and shoulders above the rest of the division.

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This much was underlined once again against a Lions side who knew victory would move them level on points with Southend United in the final play-off place.

Millwall, FA Cup quarter-finalists after humbling no fewer than three Premier League teams this term, simply had no answer to the slick attacking play of the hosts.

With Chris Basham bossing midfield and providing the back-up for John Fleck and Mark Duffy to take the game to Neil Harris’s men, United simply had too much for the London club.

Lifelong fan Kell Brook, set to defend his IBF World Welterweight title against Errol Spence at the Lane in May, was introduced to the 20,832 crowd and his presence seemed to inspire the hosts.

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The Blades, judging by their early bombardment of the Lions’ goal, were clearly looking to deliver a knockout blow of their own early on.

Jack O’Connell, who celebrates his 23rd birthday today, ensured this early flurry of attacks from the hosts was rewarded on 16 minutes, the central defender capitalising on Jordan Archer’s hesitation underneath a flighted corner from Fleck to power a header into the unguarded net.

Archer redeemed himself moments later with a spectacular finger-tip save to keep out a thunderous 25-yard shot from Paul Coutts, but it proved to be the goalkeeper’s last act.

A jarred knee, sustained when making what should have been a routine clearance, meant his involvement was at an end and Tom King, with just one previous Football League appearance to his name before last night, came off the bench.

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James Hanson, a frustrated spectator when Bradford City lost to Millwall in last season’s play-offs due to injury, did his best to play on the 22-year-old’s lack of experience.

First, he muscled his way past Byron Webster to meet a Fleck cross, but his header flashed inches wide.

Then, from another pinpoint left-flank delivery from Fleck, the Blades striker strained every sinew, but the ball remained elusively out of his reach, much to the relief of King, who had drifted into a goalkeeping no-man’s land inside the six-yard box.

Hanson had another sight of goal in first-half stoppage-time, but his mis-cued shot was blocked by Tony Craig.

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Millwall offered little in the first half, even if Jake Wright was required to scythe down Jed Wallace as he threatened to race clear, taking the yellow card.

Otherwise, the Blades were rarely troubled by a Lions side employing Lee Gregory as a lone frontman.

Harris made a change soon after the restart when he brought former Leeds United forward Steve Morison off the bench.

But it proved to no avail as the Blades merely marched straight down the other end to double their advantage.

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A marauding charge along the left flank by O’Connell, after the defender had launched himself into a ferocious 50-50 challenge just inside the Lions’ half, drove the hosts forward.

Then, after the Lions had passed up two opportunities to clear, Freeman swooped to curl an exquisite shot beyond King from 15 yards.

The game was over and, soon, the Blades’ longest stint outside the top two divisions in their history will follow suit.

Sheffield United: Moore; Basham, Wright, O’Connell; Freeman, Coutts, Fleck, Lafferty; Duffy (Carruthers 67); Sharp (O’Shea 84), Hanson. Unused substitutes: Long, Done, Wilson, Clarke, Chapman.

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Millwall: Archer (King 26); Romeo, Webster, Cooper, Craig (O’Brien 67); Wallace, Thompson, Williams, Onyedinma (Morison 51), Ferguson; Gregory. Unused substitutes: Cummings, Hutchinson, Worrall, Butcher.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).

Results and tables: Page 24