Sheff Utd earn 1st EPL win in 18th game

January 13, 2021

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Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster (right) is fouled by Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden during the English Premier League match between Sheffield United and Newcastle United at the Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, England, yesterday.

Sheffield United's players celebrate after the English Premier League match between Sheffield United and Newcastle United at the Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, England, yesterday.

SHEFFIELD, England (AP):

Last-place Sheffield United ended the longest winless run to start a Premier League season by beating 10-man Newcastle 1-0, thanks to a 73rd-minute penalty by Billy Sharp yesterday.

The hosts finally collected a victory – in their 18th game of the campaign – after a mental lapse from Newcastle captain Federico Fernandez, who swotted the ball away with his hand as he battled for the ball with Sharp in the area.

Sharp, who had entered as a 59th-minute substitute, sent goalkeeper Karl Darlow the wrong way from the spot for only his team’s ninth goal of the season.

45th-minute sending-off

With Newcastle already a man down following the 45th-minute sending-off of winger Ryan Fraser, Sheffield United had no problems seeing out the win.

No team in the history of the Premier League, whose inaugural season was in 1992, had failed to win any of their first 17 games. Sheffield United’s last victory in the league was over six months ago, a 3-0 win against Chelsea on July 11, though they did win in the FA Cup on Saturday against third-tier Bristol Rovers.

Sheffield United moved on to five points, leaving Chris Wilder’s team nine from safety approaching the halfway point of the season.