Sheffield United were riding yet another turbulent season and after 13 matches were rock bottom with just two league victories to their name, but another Bassett revival sparked their fortunes and by the time this game against Liverpool come about had sprung into 17th place and 8 points away from safety.
Lane favourite Deane netted twice against Liverpool in the 43rd and 70th minute of the match to produce the maximum three points and only require a further three to secure a place in next seasons newly formed FA Premier League.
It was Deano’s second goal of the game which put the icing on the cake and was scored with such brilliance. He received the ball from David Barnes, held off David Burrows before rounding Zimbabwean International keeper Bruce Grobbelaar to grab his 16th goal of the season.
For the travelling Merseyside fans the result left a bitter taste but were not too much surprised, an hamstring injury had ruled out England International John Barnes whilst Wright and Walters too were ruled out through injury and with the suspended Dean Saunders out of action left fringe players filling the gaps. There lack of talisman in attack showed too, no goals in this encounter at Bramall Lane and none scored in five of the previous seven matches which has all be ruled them out of being league champions.
United however have won seven of the last ten matches – including a 3-1 win at rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Blades boss Dave Bassett believes that 46 points will be enough to ensure safety. Mel Rees made his debut, replacing the injured Simon Tracey and was outstanding – producing a great save only three minutes into the game to keep United in the game. Paul Beesley missed a bouncing ball with Ray Houghton left all alone on the edge of the box and with just Rees to beat, but the Welshman spread himself well to prevent a goal.
He was again the hero of the hour when another terrible defensive error almost cost the home side a conceded goal. Brian Gayle had lobbed a pass back to Rees but miss judged ther distance and could only watch in horror as the ball flew over the top of the keepers head, but fortunately the pass wasn’t powerful enough to spin into the net and Rees gathered on the goal line.
Playing as a sweeper Jan Molby was the instigator in most of Liverpool’s better moves but the Reds back four were seduced to immense pressure from Alan Cork and Deane throughout with Burrows and Nicol receiving the brunt for the attack.
Rees, a £25,000 purchase from West Bromwich Albion looked a bargain when he was next called into action when he palmed away a difficult cross from Houghton, but young McManaman should have wheeled away in celebration but instead blasted the rebound over the bar from 15 yards out.
The visitors from here applied pressure and bad defending didn’t help United’s plight, Molby was often not picked up and allowed to run freely despite holding a portly frame and at the other end the Blades, fielding three out and out forwards were often caught offside.
When United finally went in front in was does in magnificent fashion, Bobby Davison chased a ball through with Grobelaar taking extraordinary measures to prevent an attack – charging 30 yards away from goal and did well to tackle his opponent. But he couldn’t stop Deane from retrieving the ball before turning and with an acute shot lobbed the ball 40 yards into an empty net.
Deane later added a second in the second half to secure a victory which almost will keep United safe from relegation.
Sheffield United (4-3-3): Rees; Gage, Gayle, Beesley, Barnes; Gannon, Rodgers, Whitehouse; Davison (Bryson 75min), Cork, Deane (Ward 88min).
Liverpool (4-4-2): Grobbelaar; Jones, Burrows, Nicol, Venison; Houghton, Whelan, Molby, Thomas (Rosenthal 64min); Rush, McManaman.
Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street)