Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admits a “fabulous” Southampton side are among the best the Blades have come up against in the Premier League this season, speaking to Examiner Live.
Life could hardly be more different right now for a pair of red-and-white-striped, top-flight clubs.
Sheffield United have made the worst start by any team in almost 30 years of Premier League football. And that miserable run continued at St Mary’s as the Blades were blunted by a rampant Southampton side.
Stuart Armstrong, Nathan Redmond and the ever-improving Che Adams all scored at Sunday lunchtime as the Saints cruised to a 3-0 win against their struggling visitors, moving into the Champions League places as a result.
Southampton dominated 69 per cent of possession and mustered 16 shots to three during what was as commanding and controlled a performance as you’ll see in 2020/21.
“Southampton are a fabulous side – up there with the best we have played this season,” the always honest Wilder explained at full-time.
Sheffield United, who have one point from a possible 36 to their name, certainly gave Ralph Hasenhuttl’s in-form side a helping hand, gifting Adams the opener before Armstrong’s deflected second.
But, in truth, the Blades were beaten from minute one on the South Coast, miserably failing to deal with perhaps the division’s most relentless, high-pressing team.
Armstrong, Adams and James Ward-Prowse were outstanding once again for the Saints while the Premier League’s finest ball-playing defender might be plying his trade at St Mary’s in the form of in Jannik Vestergaard.
The new Virgil van Dijk anyone?
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