Chris Wilder is delighted his Sheffield United side are defying expectations by securing “precious points” in their Premier League away games. The Blades secured automatic promotion from the Championship last season with an excellent away record, having not lost on the road since mid-January.
The step-up in quality in the Premier League had many believing that the South Yorkshire outfit would have to rely on picking up survival points in front of their vociferous home supporters at Bramall Lane but instead they have picked up five of their eight points to date away from home.
An opening weekend 1-1 draw at Bournemouth was followed with a point at Chelsea, where they came from 2-0 down at half time. And their most impressive result came against Everton on Saturday when the Blades ended the hosts’ 100 per cent record at Goodison Park with a 2-0 win.
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When asked about their away-day results, Wilder said: “Everyone thought promoted sides at home is where they are going to pick the majority of points up and we are bucking the trend.
“Away at Bournemouth, the result away at Chelsea, and then to come to Everton who have had a fantastic home record. They are precious points at any stage of the season, especially for promoted sides, and we have managed to pick a big result up.”
The win on Merseyside came despite having just 30 per cent possession and only one shot on target.
They benefited from a misjudgment at a corner by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford which saw Yerry Mina score an own goal and then, with the hosts in disarray as they chased an equaliser, added a second through Lys Mousset.
The Frenchman was a club-record £10million summer signing from Bournemouth and opened his Blades account with a breakaway goal.
He scored only three goals in 50 Premier League appearances in three seasons with the Cherries but Wilder described him as “fantastic” and believes he is just starting to “get up to speed” with his new club.
Wilder will now hope his team can end their two-match losing run on home soil when they face unbeaten leaders Liverpool on Saturday.
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