Superb Billy Sharp is set new target as Sheffield United crack the big time

The Blades captain’s brace against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday saw him reach 23 goals for the campaign. With 12 games remaining, team-mate John Fleck has thrown down the gauntlet to Sharp to reach the 30 mark – and in doing so, net the five goals needed to hit the 200-goal career milestone.

“Billy is incredible, I think that’s why he has had the career he has had,” said midfielder Fleck.

“He’s only five goals away from 200. I have told him I expect him to get 30 at least this season.”

The 31-year-old showed his prowess in front of goal on 12 minutes, drilling home, from Fleck’s pass, off the inside of Mark Howard’s right-hand post.

He ensured the Blades stretched their advantage at the top of League One to seven points with 20 minutes remaining, in front of a 27,165 crowd, netting from the penalty spot after Samir Carruthers tumbled under Mark Beevers’s challenge.

“He has been unbelievable for us, his first finish today was unbelievable,” said Fleck.

“I think a lot of players, including myself, would probably have scuffed it. That’s what he has got in the locker.”

United made an impressive start, Paul Coutts seeing his shot deflected wide, before James Hanson had a header cleared off the line and Jake Wright volleyed over.

Fleck was booked for a mistime challenge on Tom Thorpe – Bolton chief Phil Parkinson afterwards thought it should have been a straight red – but the Scottish midfielder disagreed.

He said: “I think I got there a bit slow, there were no elbows or anything. We just clashed against each other.

“Personally, I don’t think it was (a red card offence), but if that’s his (Parkinson’s) view, fine.”

Bolton started to get territorial advantage in the latter stage of the first half, but failed to trouble goalkeeper Simon Moore.

Fleck and Sharp combined again after the break, but the latter’s header was blocked at close-range by former Blades goalkeeper Howard.

United’s second-half dominance deserved a second goal, and when it came it was another decision Parkinson was upset about.

Referee Mike Dean awarded the hosts a penalty after substitute Carruthers was tripped inside the area, although contact seemed minimal.

Sharp sent Howard the wrong way with his spot-kick, and make it four points from two games – after last week’s 1-1 draw with second-placed Scunthorpe United –against their strongest rivals for automatic promotion.

It means United are seven points clear of the Iron and third-placed Fleetwood, and 10 ahead of Bolton.

Not that anyone in the Bramall Lane dressing room is celebrating promotion after six years in the third tier of English football just yet.

Fleck said: “I think we all understand the last two games were massive, but nothing is going to be won now.

“People are going to trip up with 12 games to go, I am sure there will be disappointing results. We just have to make sure we keep fighting like we did today, and hope things go our way.

“The fans today and last week were quite incredible, hopefully they will keep it up for the next few weeks to try and push us through.”

Remarkably, Saturday’s win over Bolton was only the second victory over a top-seven side for United this season.

Their only previous three points from a promotion rival came last month in a 4-2 win at Southend United.

They had drawn twice against Scunthorpe, lost and drawn against Fleetwood, lost at Bolton, drawn at fifth-placed Bradford City, lost at Millwall, and lost at Bramall Lane to Southend.

“It’s only three points, but it’s a big three points against a rival,” said Blades chief Chris Wilder, who confirmed defender Joe Riley – on loan from Manchester United – will miss the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

“We needed to win a big game because we drew at Bradford, drew home and away with Scunthorpe, drew at Fleetwood – who are doing great – so it’s about time we won a big game, and we certainly did that today.

“The first goal was a great goal, but I was a bit disappointed with the first half when we gave away too many free-kicks.

“I said at half-time, I can’t criticise you for wanting to win headers, tackles and races, but we have to play a little bit cuter. We didn’t in the first half but I always felt we were comfortable.

“In the second half, we stayed on our feet and worked them a bit harder, passed and played, and I don’t think 2-0 flattered us.”

Sheffield United: Moore, Lafferty, Basham, Wright, O’Connell, Freeman, Duffy (Carruthers 63), Coutts, Fleck, Sharp (Ebanks-Landell 90), Hanson (Lavery 89). Unused substitutes: Long, Wilson, O’Shea, Done.

Bolton Wanderers: Howard, Derik, Wheater, Beevers, Henry, Morais, Vela, Thorpe (Dervite 44), Moxey, Le Fondre (Long 62), Wilkinson (Clayton 66). Unused substitutes: Solomon-Otabor, Alnwick, Trotter, Wabara.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).