Spotlight on... Sheffield United

We continue our Premier League campaign on Thursday as we make the trip to South Yorkshire to take on Sheffield United (6pm kick-off).

This will be our first visit to Bramall Lane since 2015, when we progressed past the Blades to reach the League Cup Final. An Andros Townsend penalty had given us the advantage from the first leg of that tie at White Hart Lane - a lead that was doubled within 28 minutes of the return in Sheffield as Christian Eriksen dispatched a stunning free-kick. We faced a fight in the Steel City though as Che Adams scored a very quick brace late on to bring the aggregate scores level, but it was to be our night as with just two minutes to spare, Eriksen was on target once again to book our place at Wembley.

Team news

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder could be without John Lundstram on Thursday after the midfielder was forced off in their FA Cup defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. Defender Jack O’Connell, however, may return.

Sheffield United’s form

It’s been a very bright return to the Premier League stage for Sheffield United. After 12 seasons away, the Blades have been one of the surprise packages in the division so far as they continue to challenge for a place in Europe. Since last month's restart, however, it has been something of a rough patch for Chris Wilder’s men. Three games in and they have picked up a single point via a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, while they have suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats to both Manchester United and Newcastle United on their travels. On Sunday, they also exited the FA Cup after a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal.

One to watch

There have been many bright lights for the Blades in their impressive season so far but perhaps the man whose performances have left the biggest impression has been Dean Henderson. The young goalkeeper, on loan from Manchester United, has continually shown his ever-growing ability between the sticks, particularly his agility across his goal-line. Only Burnley’s Nick Pope and Liverpool’s Alisson have got more clean sheets to their name this term.

Last five meetings

9 November, 2019 – Spurs 1-1 Sheffield United – Premier League
28 January, 2015 – Sheffield United 2-2 Spurs – League Cup semi-final, second leg
21 January, 2015 – Spurs 1-0 Sheffield United – League Cup semi-final, first leg
10 February, 2007 – Sheffield United 2-1 Spurs – Premier League
22 August, 2006 – Spurs 2-0 Sheffield United – Premier League

Played for both

An all-round competitor in midfield, Michael Brown became a legend at Bramall Lane during his four years there before he headed to north London to help us back into Europe.

Coming through Manchester City’s youth system, Michael joined the Blades at the turn of the century and made 174 appearances while scoring 36 goals – 22 of which came in the 2002/03 season alone where he was also named in the First Division’s PFA Team of the Year.

Signed for us by then caretaker boss David Pleat in January, 2004, ‘Browny’ enjoyed two strong seasons with us as we finished ninth in 2005 before earning ourselves a fifth-place finish the following campaign as we just missed out on Champions League qualification. After later spells at Fulham, Wigan, Portsmouth, Leeds and Port Vale – where he went on to take over as manager – the former England Under-21 international has since moved into media punditry.

Quick quiz on the Blades

1. Who scored our goal in our 1-1 draw with Sheffield United back in November?

• Dele Alli
• Harry Kane
• Heung-Min Son

2. What first name is shared by the two defenders who signed for us from Sheffield United in July, 2009?

• Kieran
• Kevin
• Kyle

3. Former Spurs and Sheffield United midfielder Michael Brown was born in which town in the north east of England?

• Darlington
• Hartlepool
• Gateshead

4. Who scored on his home debut as we beat Sheffield United 2-0 at White Hart Lane in August, 2006?

• Dimitar Berbatov
• Mido
• Steed Malbranque

5. In which year did we become the first and only non-league side to date to lift the FA Cup after we defeated Sheffield United?

• 1901
• 1911
• 1921

Find the answers at the bottom of the page.

Pictures from the past

Match data

Venue – Bramall Lane.

Opposition colours – Red and white shirts, black shorts, red socks.

Referee – Chris Kavanagh.

Weather – Overcast with a chance of rain, 15 degrees.

Quiz answers: 1 – Heung-Min Son; 2 – Kyle (Walker and Naughton); 3 – Hartlepool; 4 - Dimitar Berbatov; 5 – 1901.