Sheffield United throw-in routine

While catching up on some highlights recently, I clocked that Sheffield United scored basically the same goal from the same throw-in routine in consecutive weekends.

The opening goal against Wolves:

The equaliser against Norwich:

Obviously one is a header from Enda Stevens and the other is a touch and finish by Lys Mousset, but the players involved, the routine, and the movement off the ball are identical.

The routine is simple: a player ahead of the ball dashes backwards and then lays the ball off first time forward to the thrower George Baldock. He then delivers a cross to the far post.

That little bit of movement unsettles the opposition as it forces a defender to decide whether to follow the player he’s marking out of position or to pass him on to a team-mate. The tiny bit of hesitation is all it takes to create enough space for Blades to quickly throw the ball in and then sling a cross into the box. It’s effectively creating a corner situation from open play.

It’s smart. It’s simple. It’s effective.

Very Chris Wilder and Alan Knill, that.