Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder hits out at celebration critics

Sharp’s spot-kick twenty minutes from time secured a first league success in just over six months since July for Wilder’s side - who cast aside their atrocious start to the league season, the worst-ever by any club in England's top four leagues.

It stood at 18 league matches, with the Blades also failing to win in their final three Premier League games of 2020-21 since beating Chelsea 3-0 on July 11.

Despite a milestone and cathartic victory on a night of pure emotion for the Blades players, there has been criticism of the scenes at Bramall Lane with players across the country having been reminded of the need to maintain social distancing as possible during games and when celebrating goals as Covid-19 cases soar up and down the country.

It comes after the Premier League and PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Board) had written to match officials to tell them to specifically discuss with captains and coaches what is expected of them in games.

A letter from top-flight chief Richard Masters has reminded clubs that "handshakes, high fives and hugs must be avoided" following "concerning scenes" at the weekend during several FA Cup ties, including Crawley’s victory over Leeds United.

But given the nature and symbolism of the Blades win, Wilder is calling for some perspective.

He said: “It is an emotional game. We talked about the world looking at us because of the three (Premier League) games and I understood that, but it is an emotional game on the pitch and on the touchline.

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“It (football) is so unnatural and unreal (without supporters). But it is the way it is and everyone wants to continue with it and in football, the obvious decisions will be made outside football and through Governments into the Premier League.

“(But) How can they not (celebrate)..They are team-mates and I don’t see any way that they can just walk back to the half-way line and show no emotion after what they have been through for a long, long period."