Paul Heckingbottom praises Blades’ desire after comeback win at Birmingham

Posted Saturday, February 05, 2022 by PA

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with his side’s desire to come from behind and win 2-1 against Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

Despite falling behind through Lyle Taylor, the Blades did enough to win the game courtesy of goals from Billy Sharp and Jayden Bogle, with the winner coming in controversial circumstances.

The victory means United are only three points behind the play-offs with two games in hand over sixth-placed West Brom ahead of Wednesday’s mouth-watering clash with the Baggies.

Heckingbottom applauded his team for dealing with Birmingham’s threat and coming from behind to earn their third consecutive victory.

“I’m happy with the three points, the nature of the victory and the fact that we fell behind and how we responded,” he said. “It’s a real good win all around.

“We fell behind due to a good break from Birmingham, but the way we responded is the real pleasing thing. We deserved it.

“We showed great mentality to come back into the game and the goals were fantastic. There’s no easy game in this league. To restrict Birmingham to the chances they had, we did really well.”

Heckingbottom was also delighted with Sharp’s performance and ruthlessness for his equaliser, continuing the striker’s fine recent form in front of goal.

“That goal says a lot about what type of player he is,” added Heckingbottom. “I’m not sure the pass is for him, but he reads the pass, makes the run off the defender and finds the bottom corner.”

Blues head coach Lee Bowyer explained his frustration at Bogle’s winner but insisted his players deserved more from the game after putting in another improved performance.

“Billy Sharp was offside (in the build-up to the winner) and then he’s trying to get onto the ball,” Bowyer said. “By him chasing the ball and closing the goalkeeper down, he’s interfering.

“The rules change every game. That’s why I’m upset and disappointed because my players deserved more. We pushed a very good Sheffield United team and there wasn’t much in the game.

“If I have one complaint it would be the first goal. We play a diamond and they score through the middle. That shouldn’t happen and that’s my one disappointment. But the second goal shouldn’t stand.”

It is the second straight game that Bowyer has witnessed his team let go of a lead after failing to hold on at Derby on Sunday.

Bowyer explained his disappointment at the supporters going home empty-handed following the loss.

“I feel for the players, but I feel for the fans,” added Bowyer, on a night that saw supporters protest against the way the club is being run. “They spend their hard-earned money every week and they shouldn’t be going home with nothing because my players gave everything.”