Bournemouth 2-2 Sheffield United – Report

Sheffield United were narrowly close to claiming three points against Bournemouth but the Cherries struck late to peg them back level in a back and forth contest.

Gustavo Hamer propelled United into a lead during the first half, followed by Jack Robinson extending their advantage just after the hour mark, asserting the visitors’ dominance. However, the hosts mounted a comeback, and the Blades faced intense pressure after goals from Dango Ouattara and Enes Ünal leveled the score.

Chris Wilder claimed he was going to start fielding young players and he stuck by his promise as he handed Oli Arblaster his full Premier League debut. Baldock and Brereton-Diaz were included in the starting lineup, alongside Osborn who was also recalled to the starting XI.

Lineups

Bournemouth: Neto, Kerkez (Ouattara 45), Cook, Mepham, Solanke, Christie (Scott 75), Smith (Billing 75), Tavernier (Sinisterra 62), Kluivert (Ünal 62), Semenyo, Zabarnyi.

Unused: Travers, Faivre, Adams, Kinsey.

Blades: Grbić, Baldock, Trusty, Hamer, McBurnie (Ahmedhodžić 69), Brereton-Diaz (Osula 80), Robinson, Bogle (McAtee 69), T. Davies (Souza 45), Osborn, Arblaster (Norwood 80)

Unused: Foderingham, Larouci, Curtis, Brooks.

First half

Within the first three minutes of the game, Brereton-Diaz was thwarted from Hamer’s pass after Grbić had collected a weak attempt from Christie.

Following that, Kerkez received a yellow card for a challenge on Davies, but Davies himself was then penalised in his own penalty area for what appeared to be a fair tackle on Solanke. However, from the penalty spot, Solanke slipped and blasted his spot-kick over the crossbar.

The penalty miss seemed to inspire Sheffield United to life as Smith was booked for a late challenge on Brereton-Diaz. Shortly after, the dynamic Semenyo was thwarted twice in rapid succession by Grbić, with the second save being particularly impressive.

Finally, in the 28th minute, United rightfully seized the lead as Hamer struck the ball into the net on the rebound after Neto had deflected Bogle’s initial attempt into his path.

Bournemouth were chasing the equaliser but McBurnie posed a threat at the opposite end, with a header saved from a wonderful delivery by Hamer. Davies made himself a nuisance by battling for possession constantly and setting up fast-break attempts.

Second half

Despite having such a strong first half performance, the former Everton midfielder was substituted by Souza.

Despite enduring some early pressure, United increased their lead on the 64th minute when Robinson capitalised on a mix-up between Neto and Solanke from an inswinging corner, following a near miss from Arblaster, who was making his first league start for his boyhood club.

The Cherries believed they had quickly reduced the deficit when Solanke scored from close range. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for handball.

Ahmedhodzic and McAtee came on for McBurnie and Bogle, while Grbic was also booked for time-wasting, following McBurnie into referee Taylor’s book.

The home side pulled a goal back on the 74th minute through Outtara as he headed home at the near post from an inswinging corner. Brereton-Diaz failed to jump which gave the Bournemouth man a free header.

It was all Bournemouth at this point and the most obvious thing happened, the Blades crumbled under the pressure as Unal equalised at the death.