In a feisty affair between the two Steel City clubs, it was Sheffield United who came away with bragging rights in the lunchtime kick-off thanks to a rare Rhian Brewster goal.
Both sides made three changes respectively ahead of this one. Wednesday brought in Smith, Hatsuse and Iorfa, while Ahmedhodzic, Hamer and Brewster were added to the United XI.
Warming up for #SHWSHU @WPCancerCharity 💜 pic.twitter.com/XEb6Xv2tA3
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 16, 2025
Wednesday looked at the races right from the start, with two chances in the first five minutes. First, a blocked Windass shot followed by an Ihiekwe free header, neither of which tested Cooper in the United goal.
The best chance of the half also fell to the home side, with Smith heading Hatsuse’s cross from the left straight at Cooper who palmed away for a corner.
Ihiekwe again was left with a free header from a corner but couldn’t direct an effort on goal.
It took United 20 minutes before their first proper effort on goal, courtesy of Ben Brereton-Diaz, but his shot on goal was deflected wide. Campbell them had an opportunity just moments later but his shot rifled across the face of goal.
Campbell, whose goal was the only difference between the two sides in November, was played in superbly by Hamer, but Beadle was quick off his line to collect the ball.
Both sides ended the half without creating too much, but the visitors did have the chance right at the end but Burrows’ shot was right across the face of goal after being setup by Diaz.
Much to the delight of the away fans, the former United man but now Wednesday defender Max Lowe left the field with an injury.
Halftime: Wednesday 0 United 0
United started the second half better than they did the first, but it was Wednesday who had the best chances to open the scoring in the second half.
Ihiekwe had two opportunities from set pieces, the first he headed into the ground and was easily claimed by Beadle in the Wednesday net. The second, he was left alone and headed well wide of the target.
Wednesday passed it nicely around the 18-yard area but could not find the clinical pass for a scoring chance. Windass and Gassama both had chances but they were cut out by the solid United defence.
Wednesday would live to regret that as it was United who opened the scoring in the Steel City Derby.
Ben Brereton-Diaz battled hard to keep the ball on the right and went right to the byline and the ball seemed to evade everyone except Rhian Brewster who fired into a basically empty goal.
It was only the forward’s second goal of the season.
Rhian Brewster baby 🎶 pic.twitter.com/B0P0vlrdf4
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 16, 2025
From then on, United had dominance in the game with chances through Peck and Campbell, neither of whom could double United’s lead.
Wednesday failed to created any serious chances, but their best effort fell to Svante Ingelsson.
Marvin Johnson received the ball on the edge of the area, and half-volleyed an attempt on goal which was pushed away only as far as the Swede who fired over from just a few yards out.
Wednesday pushed for an equaliser, an almost had one but Musaba’s effort on the right was cut out at his near post by Michael Cooper.
Sheffield United held on in the six additional minutes to ensure they did the Steel City double this season, with them winning both games 1-0.
Final score: Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Sheffield United
