Sheffield United seal Premier League promotion with 2-0 win over West Brom
Each of the hosts’ previous two Premier League promotions had come after absences of 12 years, and there was every expectation of them nipping a repeat in the bud a whole decade early.
But knowing that it was likely ‘win or bust’ in the context of their lingering top-six hopes, it was West Brom who started the stronger, as Jed Wallace set up Karlan Grant, who somehow missed from just three yards out.
Berge would then come close with the Blades' first real chance when he let fly from 25 yards, with his effort flying narrowly over the bar.
West Brom were also hugely unfortunate not to be awarded a spot kick, as Max Lowe caught Brandon Thomas-Asante just inside the penalty area, and despite the visitors’ fervent appeals, officials incorrectly deemed the challenge to have been made outside the box.
West Brom would also have the last notable chance of the half, when main threat Wallace sent the ball into Taylor Gardner-Hickman, who could only direct his acrobatic effort into the grateful hands of Wes Foderingham.
The sides ultimately went into the break level, though there was a marked difference in Sheffield United’s aura when they re-emerged from the interval.
And the hosts would see appeals for a penalty of their own waved away early in the second half, when James McAtee was caught by Wallace.
Dean Whitestone was unmoved, but the United faithful would soon be celebrating, after Iliman Ndiaye latched onto a poor no-look back pass from Gardener-Hickman, before he squared it to Berge who slotted home.
As expected from a side primed for promotion, Paul Heckingbottom’s men controlled the remainder of the game, and wrapped up the win in the 76th minute, when George Baldock struck a fierce first-time volley that was going wide only for Anel Ahmedhodzic to instinctively stick out a football and divert the ball in from close range.
The result means Sheffield United can now look forward to the return of Premier League football to Bramall Lane, while West Brom now have a real task ahead of them if they are to snatch a promotion play-off berth.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sander Berge (Sheffield United)