Yan the man to cap Swansea comeback at Sheffield United

Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA

Swansea came from behind to start the Sky Bet Championship season with a 2-1 victory at Sheffield United.

Oli McBurnie and substitute Yan Dhanda scored after George Baldock put the home side in front in a game where all the goals came in the second half.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors when they were awarded a free-kick after seven minutes. Martin Olsson put his effort on target but Dean Henderson, making his debut for the hosts on loan from Manchester United, was equal to it, making a comfortable save.

For the home side, Lee Evans sent over a cross which was just too high and the same player also had an effort blocked.

David McGoldrick – another player making his debut for the home side – tried a shot from distance which was deflected wide.

Early in the second half, Swansea threatened following a defensive lapse when Barrie McKay squared the ball to Joel Asoro, whose shot was charged down.

United then enjoyed a good spell with Leon Clarke having a shot blocked by Mike van der Hoorn and McGoldrick shooting narrowly wide following a mistake from Bersant Celina.

An even better chance was spurned by John Lundstram, who fired wide from a good position inside the area.

Swansea’s Tom Carroll then put an effort over from distance before United took the lead.

The goal came in the 62nd minute when Lundstram’s ball in from the left found Baldock, who produced a fine low finish beyond Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

Swansea boss Graham Potter made an immediate change, sending on Jefferson Montero in place of Asoro and the visitors went close to making an immediate response. Jay Fulton’s flicked header was heading for the net but Henderson produced a superb save to keep the ball out.

The equaliser came when McBurnie (71) followed up to turn the ball in from close range after Henderson saved from Connor Roberts.

McBurnie went close to a second goal when he did well to get on the end of a cross from Montero, with his header going only inches wide.

United manager Chris Wilder made changes to try to add greater potency with Ben Woodburn, on loan from Liverpool, and Billy Sharp both joining the action. McGoldrick and Lundstra were the pair to make way.

But it was Swansea who were a greater attacking threat as the match went on.

McKay was desperately unlucky when he saw his volley hit the bar before the visitors scored the winner.

Dhanda, making his debut after coming on as a substitute a minute earlier, scored with his first touch in the 86th minute, applying the finish after Montero’s cross caused problems for the defence and McKay’s initial effort was blocked.

Nordfeldt came to Swansea’s rescue late on, keeping out a deflected effort.