Sheffield United 2-0 Plymouth Argyle: Gustavo Hamer, Kieffer Moore help Blades open three-point lead at Championship summit

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle at Bramall Lane on Saturday; goals from Gustavo Hamer and Kieffer Moore help Chris Wider's Blades open three-point lead at the top of the table

Saturday 14 December 2024 18:41, UK

A Gustavo Hamer screamer and Kieffer Moore penalty sent Sheffield United back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship as they claimed a hard fought 2-0 victory over struggling Plymouth at Bramall Lane.

Argyle gave a good account of themselves and had the majority of big chances but could not make any of them count.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder made a couple of changes from the 1-0 win at Millwall, with Tom Davies and Ryan One coming into the starting XI.

Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney made three changes to the side that lost 2-1 at home to Swansea, with Rami Al Hajj, Michael Obafemi and Ryan Hardie coming in.

Argyle had the first chance of the afternoon as Mustapha Bundu whipped in a brilliant cross but Obafemi could only fire over from a narrow angle.

The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute. A corner was cleared as far as Hamer and he slammed a brilliant volley past goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.

Callum O'Hare tried his luck from range but his volley sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

Al Hajj had the next sight of goal as he curled a volley from distance just wide, while at the other end, O'Hare saw his low effort well-saved by Grimshaw.

Al Hajj then tried an audacious flick towards goal from Obafemi's cross but former Argyle keeper Michael Cooper gathered comfortably.

Plymouth's chances kept coming and the Greens really should have drawn level when Obafemi won the ball and fed Brendan Galloway, whose cross eventually dropped to Darko Gyabi in the box but he could only place his effort wide.

It was more of the same in the second half as Lewis Gibson's header hit a post from Adam Randell's free-kick.

Hardie's header nearly brought the game level but Cooper made a brilliant diving save to keep him out.

The Greens brought on Callum Wright and Freddie Issaka in an attempt to find a leveller but the game was taken away from the visitors not long after.

Sheffield United secured the victory in the 88th minute after Davies was tripped in the box. Substitute Moore stepped up and slotted the spot-kick down the middle to make the points safe for the Blades.

The win sees Chris Wilder's move back to the summit, while Argyle remain in the relegation zone.

The managers

Sheffield United's Chris Wilder:

"That was a tough watch for myself and the supporters. I think that kind of game sums up the Championship.

"I've got to give credit to Wayne (Rooney) and his coaching staff. Plymouth were undoubtedly the better side in the first half. They moved us about, pressed us better and had the better chances.

"Our quality wasn't very good and we kept giving the ball away cheaply. No excuses, we weren't great in that first half.

"We felt a lot more comfortable in the second half. There wasn't any complacency or arrogance from us; I feel we had the better moments without being totally over the line until we got the penalty.

"We were never completely safe. Michael (Cooper) has had to make a big save from the header, he delivered for us when he was needed. It was also a terrific performance and goal from Gustavo (Hamer).

"It's a ridiculous schedule - we're getting punished for winning games of football. We're getting so stretched; especially the young boys who are not used to playing three games in such a short space of time at the top end of the Championship.

"We didn't take this game lightly. We know we can't be arrogant; Plymouth have had a few beatings on the road but they've got a pretty solid home record. They're well coached and they can be a dangerous team.

"We weren't sloppy or loose, we set up as best we could. This can happen to you in the Championship. Maybe I blame myself. Perhaps we should have made more changes and that's a learning curve for me.

"We have to accept we might have afternoons like this but when we do we have to dig deep and today we have done."

Plymouth's Wayne Rooney:

"We're obviously disappointed with the result. I don't think anyone watching that can say we deserved to lose the game.

"I've got to give credit to Sheffield United, that's what they can do to you. They're very efficient and good in both boxes and we felt the full force of that.

"I think we saw a really improved performance but we fell short. We missed some good opportunities throughout the game and we were punished for that.

"As the game went on I thought we could get something out of it but it opened up towards the end and when we conceded the penalty the game was done.

"We were probing and getting into good areas but the last bit wasn't quite there, which is something we have to work on.

"In recent away games we've caved in after going a goal down but I was really pleased with our reaction today, we showed a real resilience.

"We know we've had some really bad performances and results away from home but there are lots of positives to take away from the game.

"We were the better team, just like in the last game against Swansea, but we lost then and we lost again here. We know we need to turn these positive performances into results.

"We've got a difficult Christmas period ahead, as does every team in this league, but we have to keep digging in. We'll move on from this and take next week to prepare ahead of another tough game."