Sheffield United cut down Burnley’s lead on the top to three points as they produced one of the narrow football results of the weekend in the Championship. Billy Sharp scored his second goal in as many games to double the lead after the half after a good start from the hosts (8) was dampened by a superb header from Blades defender John Egan (56). Although James McClean’s dangerous ball into the box was fumbled by Wes Foderingham, Nathan Broadhead scored from inside the six-yard box to give the Latics a draw in Toure’s first home game as manager.
After starting last weekend’s away game at Millwall with a point in Toure’s debut game as manager, Wigan had a bounce in their step. Prior to Tom Naylor’s strong strike, which appeared to strike Sander Berge’s hand, Will Keane shot over from 20 yards after being given plenty of room, but penalty appeals were promptly denied. Before five minutes had even elapsed, that happened. However, the Blades took the lead eight minutes in when Egan lost his marker and sprinted to the front post, where he guided a magnificent header past Jamie Jones after being found by Oliver Norwood’s corner. This was done in an effort to keep up with Vincent Kompany’s pioneering Clarets.
As the second half began, there was a brief break in the action, but it quickly interrupted when Wigan was penalized for a careless strategy of playing out from the back. Just over halfway, they cheaply lost control of the ball, but Ndiaye sent it on to Sharp, who scored again in the bottom right corner. Just after the hour, Toure introduced Thelo Aasgaard and Ryan Nyambe. The latter had a penalty claim denied as his shot at the back stick looked to make contact with George Baldock’s arm.
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