3 – 2
“Xavier Simons fires Bolton into an early lead with a left-footed finish inside the opening minute”
“Sheffield United respond immediately as Japhet Tanganga converts a Sydie Peck assist to level the score”
“Sam Dalby heads Bolton back in front from a Thierry Gale assist after a spell of second-half pressure”
Pivotal“Patrick Bamford draws Sheffield United level again within a minute, finishing off Sam McCallum's assist”
Pivotal“Substitute Romelle Donovan strikes in stoppage time, assisted by fellow sub Kalvin Phillips, to snatch a dramatic winner after a flurry of offside calls”
Pivotal
Sheffield United
Bolton Wanderers
Outstanding performance
Bolton Wanderers•DefenderThis was a match that swung on its head three times, starting with a lightning-quick opening in which Xavier Simons put Bolton ahead inside a minute before Japhet Tanganga levelled almost immediately. Sheffield United then had to do it the hard way, falling behind again through Sam Dalby's header before Patrick Bamford restored parity within a minute, setting up a tense final third of the game. Bolton actually edged the underlying numbers, out-shooting the hosts 18-13 and creating an equal number of big chances, but Sheffield United made their moments count and were rewarded when Romelle Donovan, fed by fellow substitute Kalvin Phillips, struck in the 90th minute to complete the comeback. For Sheffield United, sitting mid-table, this is the kind of gritty, come-from-behind win that can shift momentum heading into a congested Championship run-in, while Bolton will be frustrated to have controlled large spells of the game only to leave with nothing.
How entertaining was this match?
assist: Kalvin Phillips
Goal! Romelle Donovan scores to make it 3-2, assisted by Kalvin Phillips.
Offside.
Offside.
Offside.
Josh Sheehan takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Samuel Iling takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Rhys Norrington-Davies replaces Sam McCallum.
Max Conway takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Shot - Christian Forino Joseph Head Shot Missed
Corner awarded.
Josh Sheehan takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jayden Nelson comes on for Thierry Gale.
Max Conway is substituted for Akin Famewo.
On comes Jamie Shackleton, off goes Ben Brereton.
Sam McCallum takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
Thomas Cannon takes a right-footed shot but misses.
John McAtee's header is saved.
Ruben Rodrigues comes on for John Mcatee.
John McAtee's right-footed shot is blocked.
Patrick BamfordPatrick Bamford takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Sam McCallum
Goal! Patrick Bamford scores to level the match at 2-2, assisted by Sam McCallum.
Sam DalbySam Dalby takes a shot with his head and scores a goal.
assist: Thierry Gale
Goal! Sam Dalby scores to make it 1-2, assisted by Thierry Gale.
John McAtee takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Oliver Arblaster is on, and Sydie Peck is off.
Thomas Cannon is on, and Tyrese Campbell is off.
Kalvin Phillips replaces Jairo Riedewald.
Thierry Gale takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Shot - Ben Brereton Head Shot Missed
Corner awarded.
Samuel Iling takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Patrick Bamford took a left-footed shot, but it was blocked.
John McAtee receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Thierry Gale takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Lewis Brunt is on, and Gaizka Larrazabal is off.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Samuel Iling takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Samuel Iling takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Romelle Donovan takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Gaizka LarrazabalYellow CardYellow card issued to Gaizka Larrazabal.
Sydie Peck takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ben Brereton takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Josh Sheehan takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Romelle Donovan takes a left-footed shot but misses.
John McAtee takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Xavier Simons takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Patrick Bamford takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Patrick Bamford takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Japhet TangangaShot by Japhet Tanganga, and he scores with a header.
assist: Sydie Peck
Goal! Japhet Tanganga scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Sydie Peck.
Xavier SimonsXavier Simons scores with a left-footed shot.
Goal! Xavier Simons scores, making it 0-1.
Kick-off! The referee is Tony Harrington.
Sheffield United are still searching for their first league win after three straight draws, and they'll fancy their chances against a Bolton side coming off a shock home defeat to Lincoln City. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair at Bramall Lane as both sides look to steady the ship.
