John Lundstram scored the only goal of the game as Premier League new boys Sheffield United edged out Crystal Palace 1-0 at Bramall Lane. The Blades named the same starting XI who began the draw at 1-1 Bournemouth last weekend, while the Eagles handed a start to Wilfried Zaha, with Jordan Ayew the man to make way.
Early on Christian Benteke saw an effort blocked by home goalkeeper Dean Henderson, having muscled his way past Jack O’Connell – who had just recovered from a clash of heads with the Eagles frontman.
Lundstram received the first yellow card of the game shortly afterwards as he fouled Zaha, before Enda Stevens saw an effort blocked at source as the hosts tried to turn up the pressure.
O’Connell then saw a scuffed shot cleared following a corner, while John Fleck took a knock and had to be replaced by Luke Freeman just before the half-hour mark.
Shortly before half-time David McGoldrick failed to convert the one clear chance of the opening 45 minutes, as he could only direct his close-range effort from Lundstram’s cross straight at Palace keeper Vicente Guaita.
However, just two minutes into the second half the hosts did hit the front as Freeman saw his cross-cum-shot pushed out by Guaita, leaving Lundstram to sweep home the loose ball from eight yards out.
Palace responded with Henderson having to get down smartly to turn away an Andros Townsend effort from the edge of the area.
Twenty-five minutes from time the visitors brought on Jeffrey Schlupp for the ineffectual Max Meyer, while shortly afterwards Townsend made way for James McCarthy.
Guaita blocked an O’Connell header as the Blades went in search of a clinching second goal and although they were unable to add to their tally, the home side still ran out deserved winners.
