Sheffield United 2 Chesterfield 0
Despite the notable absentee of Jamie Murphy who was sold to Brighton on Friday, the Blades pulled out all the stops and in a glittering performance beat local rivals Chesterfield by two clear goals from the Football League next top talent Che Adams, who scored twice, both goals coming within the first few minutes of each half.
In what was an absorbing local derby, David Edgar gave a 'Man of the Match' performance on his home debut and Adams justified his standing ovation midway through the second half when he was substituted.
As Blades boss, it was Nigel Adkins first home game in charge of a competitive fixture and no doubt would have been impressed with the 23,031 crowd which will be a difficult League One attendance to match. Following a heavy defeat at Gillingham last weekend Adkins and the rest of the squad knew the importance of making a solid start against the Spirites. They did so, and in spectacular fashion, Adams started and finished the move which saw them draw first blood, he created enough space in the middle to clip a pass towards Sammon, his shot was stopped by Tommy Lee but ADAMS was perfectly poised to smash home a third minute goal.
Further penetrating attempts to extend the lead where made, Billy Sharp's spearing run saw him shoot wide from 25 yards. Eventually the Chesterfield's head cleared and slowly got themselves into the game and Edgar was called into action to stop his Birmingham City team-mate Lee Novak from taking advantage at the far post.
Proceedings in the first half seemed to go flat as neither side impressed except in the final few minutes of the first half, with United best described as 'last ditch' defending, Jay McEverley and David Edgar both deflected efforts wide of the goal.
In the second half the Blades came out with a mission and it worked, from the off they were down Chesterfield' throats with Adams quickly getting on the score-sheet again. He stole the ball off his marker down the left flank before passing to Sammon. He quickly slipped the ball over his marker and an onrushing ADAMS controlled before pushing the ball past Lee in front of a noisy Kop.
The visitors tried to hit back and twice Edgar prevented Novak from shooting at goal, and on 57 minutes the pairing of Adams and Sammon linked up again but Lee did excellent to prevent Adams a deserved hat-trick with his legs. With the hour mark looming, Adkins made his first change, James Wallace on for Baxter, and before the 70th minute had added a further two more; Reed and Woolford replacing Scougall and Adams, the latter given a standing ovation.
Soon after Chesterfield were gifted there best chance of the afternoon, Lee Novak saw his low free-kick saved by Howard, but the ball shot into the air and cannoned off the bar and, United, somehow scrambled clear. At the other end the Blades looked deadly, Lee pushed Sharp's effort round the post and when Sammon fired the ball into the net, Collins was penalised for a foul on the keeper, this after Basham had seen his header cleared off the line.
In a rich attempt to get back into the game, Dean Saunders threw on the cavalry but the Blades defence stood firm, Howard dramatically saved Jones free-kick, and after the five minutes of stoppage time added there was little to worry about as referee Kevin Wright blew his whistle, much to the excitement of the home fans. Before the start of the game the Blades were bottom of the league, but this victory has lifted them to 13th.
Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Sharp, Baxter (J Wallace 59), Collins, Scougall (Reed 68), Sammon McEveley, Adams (Woolford 64), Edgar. Not used: J Wallace, McNulty, Campbell-Ryce, Long, K Wallace.
Chesterfield: Lee, Jones, Hird, Morsy, Evatt, Gardner (Gnaduillet 81), Ebanks-Blake, O’Shea, Novak, Banks (Ariyibi 68), Talbot (Raglan 81). Not used: Humphreys, Onovwigun, Orrell, Cairns.