Sheffield United claimed their first win since returning to the Premier League, beating Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal by John Lundstram.
The midfielder finished from close range in the 47th minute after Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita could only tip away a Luke Freeman effort into the box.
United, back in the top flight for the first time in 12 years, drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on the opening weekend.
Palace have yet to score a goal this season, having started with a 0-0 home draw against Everton. Re-live the live action below.
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s opening Premier League fixture as Sheffield United host Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane.
It’s been a while since Sheffield United’s last home game in the Premier League. In that time Phil Jagielka left the club, played 385 games for Everton and then returned.
They also spent six years in League One. It’s been a long journey back to the top league in English football and the home fans will relish every minute of today’s game.
Team news:
Sheffield United: Henderson, O’Connell, Egan, Basham, Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram, Baldock, McGoldrick, Robinson.
Subs: Freeman, McBurnie, Sharp, Jagielka, Osborn, Moore, Bešić.
Crystal Palace: Guaita, Ward, Dann, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Meyer, Milivojevic, McArthur, Zaha, Townsend, Benteke.
Subs: Hennessey, Kouyaté, Ayew, Wickham, McCarthy, Schlupp, Cahill.
Team news
Sheffield United name an unchanged side to the one that drew their opening fixture with Bournemouth.
Crystal Palace make one change with Wilfried Zaha coming in for Jordan Ayew in attack.
Today’s match is the first meeting between the sides for eight years, and the first in the Premier League since its inaugural season back in 1992-93.
The last time these sides met at Bramall Lane, there were five goals, three penalties and two red cards with the Blades scoring twice in the last five minutes to win 3-2.
Here’s hoping for something similar today…
Phil Jagielka on his return to Sheffield:
Sheffield United are on a seriously good run of form. They’ve lost just one game in their last 19, albeit the majority of those games came in the Championship last year.
Since Chris Wilder was appointed manager, United have earned 259 league points, only Luton and Manchester City have earned more in that time.
Going against them today is their Premier League record on Sundays. They’ve played five games on Sundays and haven’t won one. Drawing four and losing one.
Crystal Palace play well away from home. Their record last year was the sixth best in the Premier League.
They won five of their last six away fixtures including the final three of the season. However they’ve never won four consecutive away matches in the top flight.
Starting up front today for Palace is Wilfried Zaha. He scored 10 Premier League goals last season, nine of which came away from home.
“The pace of the journey is incredible, from six years in League One to being in the Premier League now.
“So when people talk about favourites to go down, I would think we are one of the biggest favourites to go down in a number of years…
“A lot of people have put in a lot of work into making Bramall Lane ready [for today].
“I know our supporters will be fantastic, but as staff and players we have to take out that emotion and make sure we concentrate on the performance.”
Roy Hodgson has done well since taking over at Crystal Palace but he still thinks his team has a ways to go.
“We think there are more goals in the team than we were able to show last year – it’s up to our front players and goalscorers to show that.
“I think as the season wore on we became better at scoring goals and taking our chances and I’m hoping that is going to continue and get even better this season.”
He starts for Crystal Palace today but could Wilfried Zaha still be on his way out?
Just under 10 minutes until kick off, who you going for? I think Sheffield United will edge it.
We could be in for an entertaining match, especially with Sheffield United’s ‘overlapping centre-backs’.
They played in a 3-5-2 against Bournemouth – the three centre-backs working alongside wing-backs.
The two widest of the central defenders (in this case, number 6, who is Chris Basham and 5, Jack O’Connell), are given the freedom to run around their full-backs, essentially creating another wing-back role on each side.
Sheffield Utd 0 – 0 Crystal Palace
3 mins: Jack O’Connell gets a knock in the head and goes to ground. He’s seen to by the medical staff as is the procedure these days with any type of head injury. He looks to be okay.
Sheffield Utd 0 – 0 Crystal Palace
6 mins: Benteke gets the first effort on goal for Crystal Palace. Sheffield United lose the ball in the middle of the park and a long ball forward is brought down by Zaha. He plays the ball into Benteke to the right side of the box, O’Connell loses the man and Henderson is forced to make the save as the shot comes in.
Sheffield Utd 0 – 0 Crystal Palace
12 mins: Panic at the back as Robinson puts pressure on the defenders gives the home side a corner. Much to the delight of the home fans.
Fleck sends the ball in but O’Connell doesn’t control his header and it goes out of play.
Sheffield Utd 0 – 0 Crystal Palace
15 mins: Lundstram fires off the first shot for Sheffield United. Some good overlapping play from O’Connell wins the ball back on the left wing, he passes it inside to Lundstram who fancies it, he shoots from a long way out and sends the ball wide of goal.
What time does it start?
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 2pm.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day 2 on BBC One at 10:30pm.
Teams
Sheffield United: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McGoldrick, Robinson.
Subs: Luke Freeman, McBurnie, Sharp, Jagielka, Osborn, Moore, Besic.
Crystal Palace: Guaita, Ward, Kelly, Dann, Van Aanholt, Townsend, McArthur, Milivojevic, Meyer, Benteke, Zaha.
Subs: Kouyate, Ayew, Hennessey, Schlupp, Wickham, McCarthy, Cahill.
