Sharp Blades strike late to complete comeback win over AFC Bournemouth

Eddie Howe’s men led at Bramall Lane through an early Callum Wilson finish, but the game was level at the break thanks to veteran Billy Sharp’s poacher’s effort.

And just as the game looked to be heading towards a draw, Lundstram popped up inside the box to tuck home and seal a 2-1 win with little over five minutes to play.

Cherries, seeking three Premier League wins in a row for the first time in almost four years, made one change from their victory over Aston Villa last time out. Andrew Surman replaced the suspended Jefferson Lerma, coming in for his first Premier League start since March.

There were also welcome additions on the bench with fit-again duo Jack Stacey and Joshua King included in a matchday squad for the first time since December.

Treacherous weather conditions caused by Storm Ciara spread across the country earlier in the day, leading to Manchester City’s clash with West Ham called off, but there was no danger of the clash at Bramall Lane not going ahead.

With the sun covering one half of the pitch by kick-off, the in-form Blades made a bright start. Seeking a win to take them up to fifth in the table, the hosts quickly pushed forwards with John Fleck’s strike well blocked by Simon Francis.

But Cherries soon got into their stride, pressing high and capitalising on some sloppy Sheffield United passing. Harry Wilson was the first to try his luck, getting on the end of a Ryan Fraser cross, but his header went wide.

Fraser continued to cause problems with his free-kick falling for Callum Wilson, but the striker volleyed just past the post.

However, two minutes later the England striker had found the net. It was a neat move for the visitors with Surman picking out Harry Wilson, who played in Fraser on the left. The Scot’s low cross was returned to Welshman Wilson, but his effort was well blocked by John Egan. Fortunately for Cherries, Callum Wilson was alive to slam in the rebound left-footed to notch his eighth goal of the campaign.

Cherries were back on the attack almost immediately with the lively Fraser crossing towards and unmarked Billing, but the Dane got his shot all wrong.

After coming through the storm, Sheffield United began to emerge into the light again with chances of their own. Billy Sharp fired into the side netting while Jack O’Connell headed over, before a slip from Surman in the box allowed Oli McBurnie in, but Ramsdale held his effort.

But the pressure finally paid off on the stroke of half-time. Shortly after Cherries had been let-off when Oliver Norwood’s shot flew wide off Nathan Ake with Ramsdale stranded, McBurnie rose to head downwards, but the goalkeeper was there to tip away.

The home fans finally got the chance to celebrate when from another corner, Ramsdale could only punch it as far as Stevens, who fired a low cross into the six-yard box. Fraser was alert to block Egan’s effort on the line, but the ball fell kindly for Sharp to poach just his second goal of the campaign, the other coming against Cherries on the opening day back in August.

Sharp looked to continue exactly where he left off after the restart, getting in beyond the Cherries defence to test Ramsdale, but the goalkeeper turned his shot behind. Sander Berge’s header from the resulting corner went harmlessly off target.

Tempers briefly boiled over as Cherries claimed a foul on Dan Gosling. The ball spun out into the technical area and as Surman went to retrieve it, he clashed with Blades boss Chris Wilder. The pair were both shown yellow cards by referee Jonathan Moss.

Fraser’s set-piece delivery had caused problems all afternoon and it again led to a Cherries chance on the hour mark. A header from Francis came to Ake, who hooked a left-footed volley wide.

Both managers turned to their respective benches in search of a late winner. King came on for the visitors, while former Cherries striker Lys Mousset was introduced in place of scorer Sharp.

And the Frenchman almost made an instant impact with the ball falling to him in the box, but his shot was charged down.

Seconds after Howe had introduced Junior Stanislas, the Blades bagged the winner. And it came via two substitutes of their own with Mousset rolling the ball into the path of Lundstram, who made no mistake, sweeping past Ramsdale from deep inside the box.

Howe threw Solanke on for the closing stages, but the Blades held on after Ake glanced a header narrowly wide at the death.

Cherries remain two points clear of the relegation zone.

Cherries: Ramsdale; Smith, Francis, Ake, Rico; Billing, Surman (Solanke, 88), Gosling; H Wilson (King, 72), Fraser (Stanislas, 84), C Wilson.

Unused subs: Stacey, S Cook, L Cook, Boruc (g/k)

Booked: Surman, Francis.

Sheffield United: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Berge (Lundstram, 61), Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Sharp (Mousset, 74), McBurnie.

Unused subs: Jagielka, Retsos, Osborn, McGoldrick, Verrips (g/k).

Booked: Stevens, Wilder, Mousset.

Referee: Jonathan Moss.

Attendance: 30,361