Late goal gives Blades hope

Sheffield United scored late against Nottingham Forest to keep their hopes alive at Bramall Lane.

The Blades were unchanged from the team that thrashed Fulham on the day of the season and could have had a penalty nine minutes into the first leg of the play-off semi-final when James Garner was holding Sander Berge but referee André Marriner wasn’t interested.

But Forest were the better team in the first half and took the lead with ten minutes gone. Jack Colback was in the right place at the right time to finish after a save from Wes Foderingham. 

The home team could have equalised soon after when John Egan’s header from a corner looked destined for the net but Sam Surridge was on the line to clear. 

Steve Cooper’s team had chances to double their lead in the first half but didn’t take them. Surridge had a good shot saved from a Forest break with Foderingham having a fine first half.

Perhaps the best chance of the first half came to Ryan Yates, who was found by a fine cross from James Garner. But Yates’ header went just wide of the Sheffield United goal.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side were far better after the break, although they found it difficult to break down the Forest defence.

Forest doubled their lead in the 71st minute. Substitute Joe Lolley snatched the ball off John Egan and drove at goal, the ball broke nicely for Brennan Johnson who side-footed the ball home. 

Egan did atone for his error later on in the game when he denied Johnson a goal that could have killed off the tie. The United defender made a crucial block to deny the young winger.

Bramall Lane had something to cheer about in stoppage time when Jack Robinson found space from a corner. The defender didn’t make great contact with the ball – and it Berge is the one who was credited with getting the final touch – but still got it past Brice Samba to keep the game alive for the return leg at the City Ground.

FT!@NFFC take a slender lead back to the City Ground!#EFLPlayOffs | #StepUp pic.twitter.com/hXWVhCe3GV

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) May 14, 2022