Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Sheffield United: Blades relegated after defeat

Sheffield United were relegated to the Championship after Willian Jose’s first goal for Wolves secured victory.

But it was Wolves who edged a poor game of few chances, when they broke downfield after Enda Stevens’ shot had been blocked. Adama Traore created room close to the goalline and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box, which Jose swept home.

It broke the Brazilian’s Wolves duck in his 11th game for the club after signing on loan from Real Sociedad in January.

The Blades tried to respond and Stevens brought an excellent save from Rui Patricio with a powerful shot from an angle.

However, there was no preventing a relegation that has seemed certain since an abysmal start to the season brought just one point from their opening 13 games.

And at the final whistle, a number of Blades players dropped to their haunches.

Sad but inevitable end for Blades

If it was a night to celebrate for Jose, there was only more frustration for Rhian Brewster.

The 21-year-old arrived amid much expectation from Liverpool at the start of the season but the £23.5m striker is yet to score for the Blades.

He never looked like doing so in this game, although in fairness to Brewster, the service he received was inadequate.

It can only be hoped his and Sheffield United’s confidence can be restored by dropping down a level. Norwich’s promotion back to the top flight on Saturday – a year after they were relegated – underlines the potential for clubs going down to return at the first opportunity.

Evidently, there are issues that need to be addressed at Bramall Lane.

Interim manager Paul Heckingbottom has presided over four successive Premier League defeats since replacing Chris Wilder last month. His team have only scored once in that time.

Indeed, Sheffield United are still three short of matching Derby’s total of 20 goals from their 2007-08 campaign, which is the fewest in Premier League history. They are also still one short of matching the all-time lowest goal tally in an English league season – with Loughborough scoring just 18 times in the second tier in 1899-1900.

On Friday, chairman Prince Musaad Bin Khalid Al Saud announced he was standing down, leaving another key role needing to be filled. The resolve of owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to drive the rebuild will be tested over the coming months.

If there is any consolation from a chronic campaign for Sheffield United fans, it can be found in the difficulties of their great rivals from across the city.

Sheffield Wednesday are also mired in relegation trouble and the Steel City is bracing itself for both senior clubs going down in the same season for the first time.

More to follow.

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