LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United on a long-term contract, the Premier League side said on Friday (Aug 20). British media reported that 23-year-old had been handed a four-year deal for an initial fee of £24 million (S$45 million). The former England Under-21 international was a major target for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta but the London club was initially put off by Sheffield United's steep asking price, reportedly worth £40 million. "The club turned down a number of bids from Arsenal and expressed a desire to keep Ramsdale at Bramall Lane for the long-term. However, discussions earlier this week with the player and his representatives highlighted his desire to further his career away from S2," Sheffield United said in a statement. "In addition, Arsenal returned with another improved, head-turning bid. It was felt the best decision was to accept a club record," the statement added. Ramsdale, who joined Sheffield United from Bournemouth in August 2020, played all 38 games in the league last season, keeping five clean sheets. He was named Player of the Year at Bramall Lane but was unable to prevent the club from being relegated to the second-tier Championship. Ramsdale's arrival at the Emirates Stadium is likely to see second-choice keeper Alex Runarsson, signed from French side Dijon last year, leave the club. Arsenal, who lost to Brentford in their Premier League opener last week, host Chelsea on Sunday. More on this topic Related Story Football: Arsenal sign Odegaard from Real Madrid on permanent deal Related Story Football: Chelsea's Pulisic out of Arsenal match after positive Covid-19 test
LIVERPOOL (REUTERS) - Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison became the youngest player to score in his first Premier League start as his early strike condemned Everton to a 1-0 defeat on Sunday (May 16) that could wreck their European hopes. Jebbison, aged 17 and 309 days, pounced in the seventh minute at a rainy Goodison Park, converting a low cross to give his already-relegated side the lead. Everton's woeful home form continued as Sheffield United keeper Aaron Ramsdale made several excellent saves. Jebbison could even have added to his tally as Sheffield United deservedly sealed only their second away win of the season. Everton's ninth home defeat left them in eighth spot with two games remaining. They have 56 points, three behind West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. More on this topic Related Story Football: Palace secure top-flight status with 2-0 win at Sheffield United Related Story Football: Bale hat-trick fires Spurs to 4-0 win over Sheffield United
LONDON (REUTERS) - Gareth Bale's stunning hat-trick earned Tottenham Hotspur a 4-0 win over relegated Sheffield United to keep them in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League on Sunday (May 2). The Welshman, on loan from Real Madrid, opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a clever flick. He doubled the lead just past the hour mark with a stylish finish into the top corner - his 50th Premier League goal. Bale then made it 3-0 shortly afterwards when he drilled another left-footed effort low into the corner. Son Heung-min, who earlier had a goal disallowed, produced a trademark effort to complete the rout. Tottenham's second league win under interim manager Ryan Mason lifted them above Liverpool and West Ham United into fifth place in the standings with 56 points, five behind Chelsea, with four games remaining.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - A first-half goal by David McGoldrick gave Sheffield United a bittersweet 1-0 win home over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (April 24) a week after the Blades were relegated from the Premier League. Sheffield United lost any chance of staying in the top flight after a 1-0 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous round but they left struggling Brighton with work to do if they are to avoid joining them in the Championship. The result left the Seagulls 16th on 34 points from 33 games, seven ahead of 18th-placed Fulham who occupy the final relegation spot with five games remaining. Sheffield United stayed bottom on 17 points. McGoldrick netted in the 19th minute after Brighton's defence failed to clear the danger and the home team's striker beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a smart left-footed shot on the turn from eight metres. Sheffield goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale twice denied Neal Maupay, who also skied a shot from three metres with the goal at his mercy after Brighton midfielder Jakub Moder had a goal disallowed for offside in the build-up. Yves Bissouma and Jose Izquierdo also came close for Brighton but the home side held on in the closing stages.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League was sealed when they lost 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (April 17). The defeat left the Yorkshire club 19 points behind fourth-from-bottom Burnley with a maximum of 18 remaining. Sheffield United finished in the top half last season on their return to the top flight but have looked relegation favourites for a long time after taking two points from their opening 17 games of this campaign. Willian Jose's first goal for Wolves did the damage in the 59th minute, meaning Sheffield United now share the unwanted record of being relegated after 32 Premier League games set by Derby County and Huddersfield Town. Sheffield became the first team to finish as high as ninth in the Premier League and be relegated the following season since Birmingham City, who were ninth in 2009-10 and relegated a year later. Only Sunderland in 2005-06 and Derby in 2007-08, with 11 points, have had fewer points on the board after 32 games in a Premier League season than Sheffield United this term. Without their star man Pedro Neto through injury, Wolves struggled to break down the Blades in the first half, with defender Willy Boly's flick on to the crossbar as close as they came to an opener. The goal that set the visitors on their way to relegation summed up their season. Moments after missing a glorious chance, the Blades were carved open at the back, with Willian Jose, on his 12th Premier League appearance, tapping home. Interim manager Paul Heckingbottom's side had chances to get back into the match, but poor finishing once again let them down. Sheffield have scored just 17 league goals all season. Wolves substitute Fabio Silva should have made the result more comfortable late on, but his struggles in front of goal continued as Nuno Espirito Santo's side closed to within four points of the top 10. More on this topic Related Story Football: Norwich City promoted to the Premier League Related Story Football: Chelsea end Man City’s quadruple quest to reach FA Cup final
SHEFFIELD (REUTERS) - Arsenal kept alive their hopes of playing in European competition next season with a 3-0 win at Sheffield United who were left staring at relegation after Alexandre Lacazette scored twice and Gabriel Martinelli added another on Sunday (April 11). The result lifted Arsenal to ninth place on 45 points from 31 games while Sheffield United stayed rooted to the bottom on 14 points, 18 adrift of safety with seven games remaining. Arsenal missed several chances before Lacazette started and finished a flowing move in the 33rd minute as he side-footed a cheeky Dani Ceballos assist past home goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The French striker drilled a shot wide from 16 metres before Martinelli made it 2-0 in the 71st minute when he tapped in a close-range rebound as Ramsdale parried a Nicolas Pepe shot straight into his path. It was the Brazilian's first Premier League goal since January 2020 when he netted against Chelsea and it came as fitting reward for a fine all-round performance. Lacazette sealed Arsenal's win in the 85th minute with his 50th Premier League goal as he took a defence-splitting Thomas Partey pass in his stride and steered it past Ramsdale from the edge of the penalty area. More on this topic Related Story Football: Arteta shocked as Arsenal outclassed by 'exceptional' Liverpool Related Story Football: Arsenal denied Europa League win by late Slavia goal
LONDON (REUTERS) - Chris Wilder left Premier League bottom club Sheffield United by mutual consent on Saturday (March 13) after nearly five years in charge. The Yorkshire club announced the expected news on its website after rumours had been circulating for 24 hours that the 53-year-old would be leaving. Sheffield United, who Wilder guided back to the Premier League in 2019, are bottom of the table, 12 points adrift of the safety zone with 10 games remaining. “We are confident that all Blades fans around the world will join us in thanking Chris for his hard work, commitment and expertise in driving the club,” a statement said. “Now the club will turn its attention to completing the season as strongly as possible and if we are relegated, to prepare for the Championship.” Wilder marked more than 200 league games in charge for the club earlier this season, although there has been little reason for celebration in a difficult campaign. They have won only four of their 28 games, although one of them was a 2-1 victory at Manchester United. It is a stark contrast to last season when they impressed on their return to the top flight, punching above their weight to finish in ninth spot having challenged for a European place. They lost their last three games of the Covid-19-hit season, though, and that form spilled over into this season, with their first league win coming in their 18th game. Tensions between Wilder and club owner Abdullah Bin Musa’ad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud reportedly escalated in recent weeks, following the club’s failure to buy new players in January. Wilder will be remembered fondly by the club’s fans as they were in the third-tier when he took charge. “Being manager of Sheffield United has been a special journey and one I’ll never forget,” Wilder said. “I was delighted to be given the opportunity in 2016 and have been delighted with the success we have achieved, including two promotions and a highest ever Premier League finish. “I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Club’s accomplishments along the way, including the players, staff and, in particular, the supporters.” United visit third-placed Leicester City on Sunday.
SHEFFIELD (REUTERS) - A Curtis Jones strike and a Kean Bryan own goal gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over bottom side Sheffield United on Sunday (Feb 28) as the stuttering Reds snapped a run of four straight Premier League defeats. With Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson on compassionate leave following the death of his father this week, Adrian took over between the posts for Liverpool but it was Blades keeper Aaron Ramsdale who shone in the first half with some excellent saves. There was little he could do to stop Jones early in the second half, however, as he blasted home Roberto Firmino's backheel three minutes into the second half, and the Brazilian's 64th-minute shot took a heavy deflection off Bryan before flying into the net to make it 2-0. Liverpool's first league win since beating West Ham United 3-1 on the last day of January leaves them in sixth position in the table on 43 points, one behind their next opponents Chelsea. Sheffield United remain bottom on 11 points. More on this topic Related Story Football: Manchester City thrash Liverpool to end 18-year Anfield hoodoo Related Story Football: Liverpool 'deeply saddened' by death of Alisson's father
LONDON (REUTERS) - Ademola Lookman's second-half goal earned Fulham a precious 1-0 victory over bottom club Sheffield United to edge them closer to escaping the Premier League relegation zone on Saturday (Feb 20). Scott Parker's side huffed and puffed for more than an hour at Craven Cottage until Lookman fired a shot past Sheffield United keeper Aaron Ramsdale in the 61st minute. Fulham keeper Alphonse Areola was forced into a brave late block to preserve Fulham's lead and they hung on to record a second win in three games. Their first win at home in three months lifted them to 22 points from 25 games, three points behind Newcastle United who are one place above the drop zone ahead of their game at Manchester United on Sunday. Sheffield United look doomed to the drop as they are 14 points behind Newcastle.
LONDON (REUTERS) - Chelsea took another step in their recovery under new coach Thomas Tuchel when they beat bottom side Sheffield United 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday (Feb 7) thanks to a strike by Mason Mount and a penalty by Jorginho, with Germany's Timo Werner involved in both goals. The away win - the third in four games since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard - pushed the Blues up to fifth in the Premier League table, just one point behind out-of-form Liverpool who occupy the last of the Champions League qualification spots. Mount set the Londoners on their way to victory two minutes before halftime when Werner sprinted free on the left and provided an inch-perfect cut-back for the England midfielder to convert with a first-time shot from 12 yards. Sheffield United got back in the game when Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger misjudged the position of his goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and tapped the ball past him into an empty net in the 54th minute. But Werner's pace immediately stretched the hosts once again as he raced on to a wayward pass and was brought down by Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for a penalty that was converted by Jorginho after 58 minutes. Werner's role in the two goals represented another sign that the German is recovering his confidence although he has yet to score in the league since Nov. 7 when he bagged a goal against Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.
LONDON (REUTERS) - Manchester City beat bottom club Sheffield United 1-0 to move three points clear of Manchester United who were held to a goalless draw at Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday (Jan 30). Wolverhampton Wanderers’ disappointing campaign continued with a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace but Newcastle United ended their poor run of form with an impressive 2-0 win at Everton. A ninth-minute goal from Brazilian Gabriel Jesus gave City a 1-0 win over Sheffield United who had delivered the title-chasers a major boost with their midweek win at Manchester United. Jesus slotted home from close range after Ferran Torres took advantage of poor defending to wriggle free and pick out his unmarked team mate. City were not at their slickest best against Chris Wilder’s well-organised defence, although goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale did well to keep out a fine drive from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aymeric Laporte’s header. The visitors threw on attacking players as they looked to sneak a point and they gave Pep Guardiola’s side a scare with a late John Fleck effort that flashed wide. City have 44 points from 20 games with United three points behind but having played a game more. Third-placed Leicester City could leapfrog Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side with a win over Leeds United on Sunday. Chances were also hard to find at the Emirates where Manchester United ended a disappointing week having given up five points in the title race. Arsenal came out strongly after the interval and Alexandre Lacazette came closest to scoring for the hosts with a 56th-minute curling free kick that struck the bar. The best two chances for United fell to Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani but he was wide of the target both occasions. United set a new club record of 18 away games unbeaten in the league while Arsenal, eighth on 31 points, have not lost since Dec. 19. Wolves are without a win in eight games after Eberechi Eze’s goal gave Palace a much-needed win at Selhurst Park. Eze broke the deadlock on the hour, firing a low left-footed strike past Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio. Wilson double Newcastle United celebrated their first Premier League win in 10 games and lifted pressure off manager Steve Bruce after two goals from Callum Wilson secured a 2-0 win at Everton. Wilson fired the visitors in front with a brilliant header in the 73rd minute and the former Bournemouth forward added the second in stoppage time from close range. Ivan Cavaleiro came off the substitutes bench to grab a late equaliser as Fulham held fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion to a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns. More on this topic Related Story Football: Man City extend lead as Jesus goal sinks Sheffield United Related Story Football: Relief for Newcastle as Wilson double sinks Everton Fulham went ahead in the 10th minute when Aleksandar Mitrovic slipped a through ball to Bobby Cordova-Reid, who slotted it past West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. West Brom equalised early in the second period when Brazilian playmaker Matheus Pereira’s cross was stabbed home by defender Kyle Bartley. Pereira appeared to have earned a first home league win for West Brom under manager Sam Allardyce when he smashed the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. But Fulham salvaged a point after Harrison Reed’s cross found fellow substitute Cavaleiro who headed home 13 minutes from time. In Saturday’s late game, England midfielder Jack Grealish fired in a superb cross for Ross Barkley to head home as Aston Villa overcame a slow start to beat Southampton 1-0 at St Marys. Danny Ings had a late goal ruled out for offside for Southampton who slumped to their third league defeat in a row.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Manchester United suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat by the Premier League's bottom club Sheffield United on Wednesday (Jan 27) to leave Manchester City alone at the top of the table. Substitute Oliver Burke grabbed the 74th-minute winner after Harry Maguire had cancelled out Kean Bryan's first-half opener for the Yorkshire side who had won just one league game all season before their trip to Old Trafford. City are top on 41 points, a point ahead of United who have played one game more. Chris Wilder's side went into the game with the worst record, after 19 matches, in Premier League history and without a league win at Old Trafford in 48 years. But with 38-year-old former Everton defender Phil Jagielka marshalling their defence, they showed exactly the kind of determination and fight they will need if they are to somehow get out of trouble. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to rotate his team, leaving out Fred and Scott McTominay from central midfield and that had a big impact on the game with United lacking the intensity and pressure that pair have been providing in the centre of the pitch. Sheffield United, who now have eight points, went ahead in the 23rd minute when Bryan headed in John Fleck's corner with United keeper David De Gea flapping at the cross, although replays suggested he may have been pushed by Sheffield striker Billy Sharp. United's frustration over that decision was amplified when Anthony Martial had the ball in the net but the effort was ruled out for a foul by Harry Maguire on keeper Aaron Ramsdale. Solskjaer's side were lacking any of the zip and invention of their recent good run of form but managed to get on level terms when their Sheffield born captain Harry Maguire met an Alex Telles corner with an unstoppable header. More on this topic Related Story Football: Man United suit my winning mentality, says Fernandes Related Story On The Ball: Strange season sets up for unlikely contenders United paid the price from hesitant defending, however, when Burke's low drive deflected off Axel Tuanzebe and crashed in off the underside of the crossbar. Burke was ecstatic at his club's first win at Old Trafford since 1973. "Amazing result, really was a must-win for us and I'm chuffed for the boys, they put in a great shift. Amazing feeling and amazing for me to get the goal, I am buzzing for the boys and hopefully we can take that into our next games," he said. "We showed great courage and great determination. We show great character and never stop, every game we have showed great football but just not taken three points." More on this topic Related Story To win big trophies, United must again beat the best Related Story Solskjaer glad for patience
SHEFFIELD (REUTERS) - Everton moved two places up to second in the Premier League and finished in the top four on Christmas Day for the first time in 16 years after a late Gylfi Sigurdsson goal gave them a 1-0 win at bottom team Sheffield United on Saturday (Dec 26). The result left Everton on 29 points from 15 games, two behind champions and leaders Liverpool who are at home to West Browmich Albion on Sunday, while the winless Blades stayed rooted to the bottom with two points. Missing several key players, Everton looked subdued in the first half and nearly fell behind in the 16th minute as Ben Godfrey cleared David McGoldrick's scrambled shot off the line. The visitors came close in the 29th when Dominic Calvert-Lewin superbly chested down a long pass by Michael Keane and unleashed a ferocious volley from the edge of the penalty area just wide of the far post. Oliver Burke slammed a close-range shot from a tight angle across the face of goal at the other end on the stroke of halftime before the game fizzed out in the second half and appeared to be heading for a barren draw. But Icelandic midfielder Sigurdsson struck in the 80th minute, planting a calm shot past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale into the far corner after good work from substitute Bernard and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. More on this topic Related Story Football: Richarlison sets Everton on way to 2-0 win at Leicester Related Story Football: Sigurdsson penalty gives Everton 1-0 win over Chelsea
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United extended their 100 per cent record on the road, coming from behind again to win 3-2 at the Premier League's bottom club Sheffield United on Thursday (Dec 17). United have now won all six away league games this season - conceding first on each occasion - and the latest comeback victory moved them up to sixth place, on 23 points, five behind leaders Liverpool. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to start keeper Dean Henderson ahead of David De Gea for the trip to Bramall Lane where the English keeper played on loan last season. But Henderson made a nightmare start, getting caught in possession by Oliver Burke who slid the ball to David McGoldrick who fired the Blades into a fifth-minute lead. After wasting a good opportunity with a wild shot, Rashford made no mistake in the 26th minute as he collected a long ball from Victor Lindelof with a deft first touch and deadly first-time strike. Paul Pogba set up the second with a one-touch pass on the turn, over the top of the Sheffield defence to Anthony Martial, who rounded Aaron Ramsdale before slotting home. Six minutes after the break, Rashford added his second to make it 3-1, finishing off a fine passing move started by Pogba, with a shot that squeezed under Ramsdale's body. McGoldrick pulled one back for the Yorkshire strugglers three minutes from the end, heading in a corner from close range before Henderson made amends for his early mistake with a reflex save to keep out a Lys Mousset drive. Sheffield United have a solitary point after 13 matches, the lowest tally at that stage in English top-flight history.