Yorkshire | Seven defeats in eight games for Sheffield United

Sheffield United 1 - 2 Southampton

Sheffield United’s wretched start to the Championship continued with a defeat to Southampton.

Author | Terri Woodford

Stadium | Bramall Lane

View from the stands

The biggest talking point

It was Chris Wilder’s dismissal that dominated the headlines after the manager was sent off for kicking the ball into the crowd and striking a supporter.

A closer analysis of what happened

The incident with Wilder occurred moments after Southampton had been awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Although Adam Armstrong blazed the spot-kick over, Ross Stewart struck twice in seven second-half minutes to overturn Tyrese Campbell’s impressive opener for the Blades. Sydie Peck thought he had salvaged a dramatic point late on, but his header was ruled out.

The result means United have lost seven of their opening eight league games and all four fixtures at Bramall Lane, their worst home start since 1954.

Wilder’s sending off, however, overshadowed events on the pitch. He immediately approached the supporter to apologise, and although the fan appeared unhurt, Herczeg produced the red card as the manager made his way back to the dugout.

The Southampton perspective

The Southampton pre-match huddle

Even if Southampton had converted their first-half penalty, their manager would have been unimpressed with the display. The mood shifted after the interval.

With Chris Wilder no longer in the dugout, Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy denied Callum O'Hare in a pivotal moment before Stewart equalised for the visitors six minutes into the second half.

Armstrong’s header struck the bar and Stewart showed composure to finish under Cooper. The forward then delivered Southampton manager Will Still his first league victory since the opening day, cutting inside and unleashing a strike from 25 yards just before the hour mark.

After the match, the Southampton boss told local media: “I am delighted. I am delighted for the fans who travelled up on a Tuesday evening. I'm delighted for the collective, I'm delighted for a few individual performances.”