Chris Wilder: Sheffield United’s season alive and Sheffield Wednesday’s is done

An emotional Chris Wilder declared Sheffield United’s season was “alive” and Sheffield Wednesday’s “was done” after his side’s 1-0 Steel City derby win at Hillsborough.

Rhian Brewster’s second-half goal clinched the Blades their first league double over Sheffield Wednesday in 19 years and lifted them back into the Sky Bet Championship’s top two.

The Blades, indebted to goalkeeper Michael Cooper – who made top-class saves in either half – leapfrogged Burnley to move level on points with leaders Leeds.

Blades boss Wilder, a United fan, said: “I’m a local boy. I’ve managed in six local derbies and I understand the emotions of them and everything. I feel it, I breathe it.

“We’re here to win and we’ve won another tight Sheffield derby. It hasn’t been luck. We didn’t come here expecting it to be a slow start.

“It was a big start from them and we got through that and then we got control back of the game.

“We win games of football. We’re on 82 points (minus a two-point deduction) after 38 games. Sheffield Wednesday are on 51. Their season’s done.

“Ours is still alive. We’re 31 points clear of them, that’s quite big.

“It’s amazing, we weren’t even thinking about going top of the division today. It was ‘we have the chance of doing the Sheffield double’.

“When I went for run this morning to clear my head at half-five or six o’clock, whatever daft time it was, just to get out the house, all I’m thinking about was winning a game of football today.”

Brewster’s career at Bramall Lane following his £23.5million move from Liverpool in 2020 has been undermined by injury and Wilder was thrilled for his match-winner.

He added: “I would have wanted him too (to score the winner). He’s been through a lot but hopefully all the hard work he’s put in – he never wanted to be injured.

“He came with a fee. It was a difficult first season for him with Covid and us having a struggle (in the Premier League).

“Rhian’s had a difficult time here. He’s an example to young players to keep going and you get your moment if you keep working hard.

“I’m delighted for him and everybody connected to our club should be.”

The Owls missed the chance to close in on a play-off place and a third straight home league defeat saw their winless derby run against the Blades extend to six matches.

Their last victory in this fixture was back in 2012, while they have failed to score in each of the two sides’ last five encounters.

Wednesday head coach Danny Rohl said: “In the second half they were just once in our box. One touch and it’s a goal.

“We had really good opportunities but football is about defending goals and scoring goals and I cannot complain about my team.

“They invested a lot. We tried everything. The atmosphere was great. If you want, I think there should be no winning team today.”