Pablo Sarabia boosted Wolves’ European hopes as his header guided Gary O’Neil’s team to a nervous 1-0 win over a spirited Sheffield United side at Molineux on Sunday.
Sarabia nodded Rayan Ait-Nouri’s right-footed cross home 30 minutes into a tense encounter in the West Midlands, as the Premier League’s bottom club gave a far better account of themselves than they did in last week’s 5-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Blades looked more threatening than their hosts for much of an error-strewn game, but Rhian Brewster and Auston Trusty spurned their best chances as they failed to find an equaliser.
It was an unconvincing performance from Wolves, to say the least, but the victory moved them up to eighth in the table, above Newcastle United, West Ham and Chelsea, putting them one point behind Brighton.
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Wolves dominated possession in the early stages, but the best chances fell Sheffield United’s way on the break. Brewster darted in behind but ignored James McAtee to his left as he fired over the crossbar, then McAtee hit a tame effort straight at Jose Sa after holding off Craig Dawson.
Just as frustration began to grow around Molineux, Wolves broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, with Sarabia planting his header past Ivo Grbic after being found by Ait-Nouri’s deep cross.
Yessss, @Pablosarabia92 ???? pic.twitter.com/NgB99vD1at
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 25, 2024
Sheffield United’s frustrations were evident as team-mates Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson raised their hands to one another in a heated altercation which was checked by the VAR, then Sarabia blazed over on the volley after great work from Toti Gomes.
Chris Wilder’s side started the second half brightly as mistakes crept into Wolves’ game at a nervous Molineux, with McAtee dragging a shot wide of the bottom-right corner before Sarabia powered wide at the other end.
Sheffield United penned Wolves back near their own area in the later stages, putting them under pressure from a series of long throws and set-pieces, but Trusty failed to convert at the far post when presented with their best opportunity of the second half as the hosts clung on.
