Sheffield United, currently positioned at the bottom of the Premier League table, faced a significant setback with a 5-0 defeat at home against Brighton on Sunday.
Mason Holgate, an Everton loanee, made a foolish challenge that resulted in a red card, dashing the Blades’ hopes of winning points against the Seagulls early on in the game, even though it seemed like they had gained some much-needed confidence in the previous game—a 3-1 away victory against Luton.
Based on their current form, United could end up with some unfavourable Premier League records at the end of the season.
Sheffield United could set several unwanted Premier League records
This season, the Blades have suffered the unsettling statistic of giving up at least five goals in five different Premier League games. Only twice in Premier League history has a team conceded five goals or more in six different league games in a single season, which ultimately resulted in their relegation: Swindon Town (1993–94) and Derby County (2007–08).
In their first 25 games, United has given up 65 goals, which is more than any other club has given up this early in the Premier League season. If they keep up this rate, they should surrender 99 goals by the end of the season, just missing Swindon’s record of 100 in 1993–94. It’s important to note, though, that this was accomplished during a 42-game season.
As of right now, Derby’s 2007–08 team has conceded 89 goals in 38 Premier League games, setting a new record.
Derby’s record of 11 points in the 2007–08 season has already been exceeded. With 13 points from 25 games, Burnley and the Blades, respectively, could end up among the six teams that have never finished a Premier League season with fewer than 20 points. In addition to Derby, Sunderland (twice), Portsmouth, Aston Villa, and Huddersfield have all failed to score that many goals in a Premier League season before.
Blunt Blades
There was a lot of optimism before the season began, but it all vanished quite fast when the team opted to sell Sander Berge and Iliman Nidaye a few days before the season began.
Sheffield United had a lot of gaps in their squad to cover, but at least they were competitive for a time in August even though many of their players were out.
Performances under Paul Heckingbottom were insufficient, and the players gave up on their manager, which led to some unpleasant outcomes. Notably losing in Heckingbottom’s last game, 8-0 against Newcastle, 5-0 against Arsenal, and 5-0 against Burnley.
Later, Chris Wilder took over in the Sheffield United dugout, and while the team has improved in performance, the Blades have lost crucial points in the closing stages. Even though everyone would have accepted a draw before the game, United came dangerously close to winning a statement match against Aston Villa before Christmas. A few days later, on Boxing Day, the Blades lost 3-2 at home against Luton after shooting themselves twice in the foot.
consecutive 5-0 Premier League losses at home are just abhorrent; the manager and the players can be held accountable for Villa’s crushing, but I personally attribute Brighton’s defeat on one guy. Mason Holgate.
Prior to kickoff on Sunday, a few supporters were feeling optimistic following their team’s first away victory of the season against Luton. But Holgate disappointed the football team as a whole. Really, it’s just the tale of United’s campaign. The Blades appear to be giving themselves a lifeline, but then something disastrous occurs, which is followed by humiliation.
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