Brentford ended a nine-game winless streak that left their top-flight status in the balance with a 2-0 win that pushed Sheffield United closer to Premier League relegation.
An immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship now looked a foregone conclusion for Chris Wilder's side, after Oliver Arblaster's unforced interference from Mikkel Damsgaard's cross (63) – the sixth own goal Sheffield United had conceded this season – put the hosts ahead.
The Bees, without a home win since January 20, were denied a second to rule that Ollie McBurnie had been fouled by Nathan Collins when VAR volleyed Brian Mbumo's free-kick beyond Damsgaard Ivo Grbic after five minutes.
Frank Oneka's delightful flick from Kevin Schade sealed victory in stoppage time (90+3), meaning Sheffield United are now 10 points adrift of safety, while Brentford are seven points clear of the relegation zone.
How Brentford pushed for victory
Both Brentford and Sheffield United worked hard on Saturday
Brentford have kept back-to-back clean sheets at the Premier League's Gtech Community Stadium for the first time this season and for the first time in May 2023. Prior to this run, the Bees had conceded 22 goals in 10 home games – an average of 2.2 goals per game.
A routine home win for Thomas Franck's side eases the risk of being dragged into an unnecessary relegation battle.
The writing is now on the wall for Sheffield United who have won just one of their last 16 Premier League games, losing 10 of them. Their only win since early December was a 3–1 win at Luton on 10 February.
The win was Brentford's fourth at the break, despite going level at half-time for the 16th time in the Premier League this season; The Bees are winless in their last five matches (D2 L3).
Wilder's side arrived in west London, however, having drawn three of their previous four matches, their only Premier League clean sheet this season coming in a 1-0 win against Brentford in early December.
Jaden Bogle challenges Neil Maupay in the first half
They boasted the best chance of the opening exchanges as Ben Brereton missed Diaz Zanca, who was easily kept out by Mark Flecken due to a lack of conviction at the crucial moment.
Brentford were working without Ivan Toney, again deemed only fit for the substitutes' bench, but were presented with a glorious opportunity when a mistake by Anel Ahmadhodzic allowed Mbeumo to release Neil Maupay.
Grbic raced off his line at the feet of the Frenchman and did just enough to force his shot wide of the post. Frank resisted the temptation to summon Tony despite signs of little improvement since the restart.
But in keeping with Sheffield United's season, they were the authors of their own downfall as Brentford celebrated the opener, after McBurney missed a chance to unmark Jaden Bogle inside the box.
Brian Mbeumo in action against Yasser LaRoussi
Damsgaard collected Mbeumo's lay-off, his penetrative cross cannoned off the shins of the Arblaster and into the net past the hapless Grbic. The Dane felt he got a fine goal of his own when he drilled in Mbeumo's free-kick moments later.
Referee Sam Barrott and VAR David Coote had other ideas, however, and felt there was a tug on the shirt by Collins on McBurney. The contact was short but the blades did not reduce their recoil.
Instead, Brentford had to wait until stoppage time to put the competition to bed. Sergio Reguilon's throw-in was devilishly flicked into the path of Onyeka, who finished confidently by substitute Schade.
Chris Wilder gives instructions from the touchline
Frank prepares for 'convincing' Tony Luton
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Thomas Frank says his side benefited from a bit of luck during their 2-0 win over Sheffield United, but they deserved to win the game.
Brentford Superior Thomas Frank: “I'm happy and relieved. I told the players, don't do that to me again (no wins in nine). The mantra reminds me that this league is brutal, relentless and the toughest in the world. It taught me not to expect anything.”
“It was a good win and a good performance – not through the roof. I thought it was a deserved win. We got a bit of luck with the first goal today, which helps.
“I think he (Damsgaard) deserved that goal. He had a good game against Villa and again today. I thought it should have stood because it wasn't a clear and obvious error. It was soft. Granted. Some of the things that haven't gone our way this season are not easy for him. .
“Ivan Toney was ill during the week, and his groin injury is still not perfect. Now we have time to prepare him for Luton and I am convinced he will be ready for Luton. Azar is touch and go for that game.”
Wilder: The score is coming in at 0-0 at half-time
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Chris Wilder thought Brentford would be a good chance to pick up some points with opponents facing pressure at home, but unfortunately nothing came of it after losing 2-0.
Sheffield United Superior Chris Wilder: “I don't think there was a lot in the game. Thomas (Frank) complains about a block for a second goal that could have come early. We have a shot at losing our captain (Jack Robinson) and the clubs. Our position, to be 0-0 at half-time is an achievement.
“We turned the ball over cheaply (for their first goal). If we had got the first goal, it would have made for an interesting afternoon. We thought we could have worried them and the reaction from Thomas and his players. The end was a relief.
“Counter-attacks are part of the game and it was a wicked deflection that flew over (for Arblaster's own goal). We could have done better with our recovery runs but it went against us again.”
On Jayden Bogle's injury: “If we lose Jaden it will be a blow. It's a soft tissue injury and it doesn't look good.”
TONY No, Brentford isn't in trouble?
Ivan Toney was an unused substitute against Sheff Utd
Sky Sports Ben Grounds at GTech Community Stadium:
I Am Maximus strode to victory in the Grand National, and Brentford finally won at a canter here, which he did without his own Gladiator. Ivan Toney remained consistent, an unused substitute.
After only being called up after Ollie Watkins' late equalizer against Aston Villa last weekend, you wonder how much more we'll see of Toney in a red and white shirt.
Neil Maupay missed the best chance of the first half
Injured or not, Thomas Frank knows he has to start preparing his players for life without their talisman. Frank's attack was not yet at full throttle, but here he still had enough potential to extend Sheffield United's abysmal record.
The Blades, still without a clean sheet on the road, could not capitalize on Toney's absence.
The striker is ending his longest Premier League goal drought, amassing 21 shots and 36 touches in the opposition box in seven consecutive starts before he was dropped at Villa Park.
TONY No, Brentford isn't in trouble? Not quite, but if this summer is to sell as expected, Mbeumo's return to scade fitness means using him sparingly in the rest of the game – regardless of his fitness – is smart management.
Maupay was the only change to the Brentford team
OptaFacts – Blades for unwanted documentation
Yasser LaRussi clears the ball under pressure from Brian Mbemo
- Brentford's opener conceded a sixth own goal in the Premier League this season against Sheffield United this afternoon, becoming the fifth different Blades player to score an own goal for the club this term since Oliver Arblaster Anis. Ben Slimane, Wes Foderingham, Jack Robinson and Jayden Bogle.
- Sheffield United have conceded 84 goals in the Premier League this season, the most by any team in the competition after 32 games and the most by any top-flight team at this stage of a season since Ipswich Town in 1963-64 (85).
- Sheffield United have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 away Premier League games, going a long run without an away clean sheet just once in the competition – 22 runs between June 2020 and May 2021.
what next
Brentford head to Luton For their next Premier League game on Saturday April 20. Kick off at 3pm.
Sheffield United The hosts are relegation rivals Burnley On the same day at Bramal Lane. Kick off at 3pm.
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