Derby County fell 1-0 at Bramall Lane this afternoon.
The game was notable for Gus Hamer’s free kick and a touchline altercation that saw both managers booked.
Chris Wilder, Sheffield United’s manager, said he did not touch Derby County attacker Jerry Yates in an altercation that resulted in both managers being booked.
Tempers flared after Paul Warne claimed Wilder bumped Yates while attempting to retrieve the ball for a throw-in during the Blades’ 1-0 victory.
In response to the altercation, Wilder stated, “There’s no responsibility for them to play at a tremendously rapid tempo and speed. I believe the referee has an obligation to speed things up a bit. I wasn’t intending to do anything or, as Paul put it, ‘touch his player’. The ball was there, and I wanted to pick it up and throw it back to our player to speed up the game.
“There was a reaction from the player (Yates), I received a yellow card, and I disagree with Paul. I have a lot of respect for him, but it does not mean I have to be his closest friend on a Saturday afternoon. I’m battling for my football team and doing what I believe is right, which is to put the ball back into play.”
Meanwhile, Wilder was satisfied with Sheffield United’s game management.
Gustavo Hamer’s wonderful free-kick early in the second half sealed another victory, and Wilder said: “I’ve got to say, we prepared for a really tough game, so I’m thrilled to secure a 1-0 win and a clean sheet.
“It was a little small at times from our perspective. Derby deserves credit for the set-up, which they made difficult. We had to be patient, and we didn’t knit it as nicely as I had hoped. I believe the players became irritated with one another and the game.
“We calmed down at halftime, moved the ball a little quicker, maintained excellent intensity throughout the second half, and got a wonderful winner.
“They are dangerous on the counter, have pace, and work really hard for the boss and the football club. Gus helped us find the winner, and our game management was spot on.
“We would have loved to have got a second goal to make it a little bit comfortable but we didn’t and 1-0 is enough to win a game of football and we move on.”
