Football: Wright to the rescue
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sheffield United. . .1
Arsenal . . . . . . .1
SHEFFIELD United have a growing reputation for humbling the elite of the Premier League at Bramall Lane, but their ambitions were thwarted yesterday by a late Ian Wright equaliser when it seemed that Arsenal were heading for their third defeat in a row.
In his programme notes, Dave Bassett, the United manager, described wins over big clubs as 'richly rewarding', and after Dane Whitehouse had scored in the 47th minute, the Blades looked likely to add to home victories this season over Liverpool and Manchester United.
But Wright, who had begun to show frustration at the lack of space afforded him by Brian Gayle, spoiled Bassett's day by stabbing in a Lee Dixon cross for his fifth goal of the season.
Arsenal's equaliser came after George Graham pushed more players forward when he replaced Anders Limpar and Paul Merson with Andy Linighan and Mark Flatts. 'It's a pity when you see the game going over the top of players like Limpar and Merson, but I'm a realist and I had tried the skilful angle,' Graham said. 'The change of formation helped - when we had three rather than four at the back we looked a lot better.'
The first half had been largely shapeless, with only United contributing occasional moments of attractive football.
Kevin Gage came close with a drive that was touched over, but it was the runs of Brian Deane and Adrian Littlejohn that encouraged hope of better things.
Littlejohn made the breakthrough in the 48th minute, beating Nigel Winterburn and sending in a low cross that was headed on to Whitehouse, who volleyed home.
Sheffield United: A Kelly; K Gage, T Cowan, J Gannon, B Gayle, P Beesley, C Bradshaw, P Rogers, A Littlejohn, B Deane, D Whitehouse. Subs not used: A Cork, G Hodges, P Kite (gk). Manager: D Bassett.
Arsenal: D Seaman; L Dixon, N Winterburn, R Parlour, S Bould, T Adams, J Jensen, I Wright, A Smith, P Merson (M Flatts, 71 min), A Limpar (A Linighan, 71 min). Sub not used: A Miller (gk). Manager: G Graham.
Referee: L Dilkes (Mossley).
Goals: Whitehouse (1-0, 48 min); Wright (1- 1/85 min).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments