Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace result: John Lundstram goal seals Blades’ first Premier League win since return
Follow the latest updates from Bramall Lane where the newly-promoted Blades host the Eagles in the opening Premier League encounter of the day
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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.
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.
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...
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.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder talks about his team's return to the Premier League. He said:
"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."
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