Evans at the double to steady Blades ship in race for promotion

The Blades had lost three out of their last four matches to Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham and Walsall as they travelled to fellow promotion rivals Brentford.

But two strikes from Evans was enough to secure a much-needed victory and keep the Blades a point above third-placed Wednesday, heading into tomorrow’s game in hand at Colchester United.

Blades manager Danny Wilson praised his side, who welcomed back from suspension Matthew Lowton and Harry Maguire.

“We’ve had to put our bodies on the line to defend at times in the first half and then late on in the game, but I thought we deserved it,” he said.

“I don’t think Steve Simonsen has really had a save to make and that’s down to some great defending in front of him. I felt we were destined for a clean sheet.

“I’m happy with 2-0, but it could have been more. We missed some very good chances and (they made) some very good saves.”

Griffin Park has been a happy hunting ground for visiting United teams in the past. Indeed, their previous two appearances at this stadium have produced a brace of wins and seven goals.

But the hosts were first to show, so it was with some surprise when United took the lead after just six minutes. Evans seized upon some defensive indecision and Chris Porter’s flick-on to drill home beyond Simon Moore before wheeling away in casual celebration.

Brentford’s senses cleared with Sam Saunders winning a 12th minute free-kick out wide.

Jake Bidwell’s delivery was perfect but Simonsen bravely denied Leon Legge from close range.

Then, Maguire survived a penalty appeal when Clayton Donaldson’s shot struck his arm soon afterwards.

Brentford, beaten 2-0 at Bramall Lane in August, had seen their preparations overshadowed by the departure of leading goalscorer Gary Alexander to Crawley Town. United, without Kevin McDonald (hamstring) and Neill Collins (personal reasons), had several chances to extend their lead. Evans, six minutes before the interval, forced himself between Brentford’s centre-halves but inexplicably dragged wide with the goal at his mercy.

Sixty seconds later, Moore denied Porter by expertly clawing away his header from Will Hoskins’s cross.

Evans flashed wide in the 49th minute following a well-worked free-kick but he made no mistake seconds later when, from the re-start, Moore’s kick fell straight at his feet, allowing the United striker to run through and round the goalkeeper before stroking home.

Moore denied Evans a hat-trick in the 88th minute with his legs.

Brentford: Moore, Logan, Dean (Osborne 76), Legge, Bidwell, Diagouraga, Saunders (McGinn 35), Forshaw (Weston 54), Douglas, Berahino, Donaldson. Unused substitutes: Lee,Thompson.

Sheffield United: Simonsen, Lowton, Maguire, Hill, Williams, Hoskins (Montgomery 66), Doyle, Williamson, Quinn, Evans, Porter (Cresswell 77). Unused substitutes: Howard, Beattie, Egan.

Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire).

Man of the match: Ched Evans.