Chris Wilder challenges Sheffield United to build on first home victory

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said his side gave “everything for the shirt” as they beat Watford 1-0 at Bramall Lane.

Callum O’Hare’s goal in the 59th minute was enough to give the Blades their first home win of the season and lift them off the foot of the Championship table above city rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Wilder said: “That roar at the final whistle shows why we follow our club on a Saturday afternoon. We do it for those moments.

“The players gave everything for the shirt today and I think the fans saw that. We played some really good stuff at times and especially the defenders in the second half were fabulous.

“Watford are a difficult team with many talented individuals. They may feel unfortunate to have not got more out of the game but I still feel we were the better side.

“We tried to attack Watford from the off and be bold in our formation. They did have some chances but I never felt we were massively under the cosh.

“I don’t think people realise how difficult it is to win a Championship game, especially with the situation we’re in.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard over last two weeks. We talked about where I thought we were and we recognised that we are the only ones who could rectify things.

“It’s alright talking about what we’re going to change but you’ve got to go out there and do it. Our fans have come to expect big things of us and we have to deliver.

“Things have gone against us with injuries but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

“I loved the last five minutes because we gave everything. It showed how desperate we are to win. The most vital thing is to build on from this.”

The result saw Javi Gracia lose in the first game of his second spell in charge of the Hornets, following the sacking of Paulo Pezzolano.

The Spaniard said the Championship “hasn’t changed” in his time away from the league.

Gracia said: “We knew before coming here it would be a demanding game, a tough game. We knew Sheffield United were going to be very aggressive.

“We expected a better game and a better result but it didn’t happen for us today.

“I think in the beginning we controlled more of the game, attacking more than defending. In the second half the game was more even but they took their chance when it came.

“At the beginning of the second half we had the best chance of the game, if Caleb (Wiley) scores that the game is totally different. After that United dominated the game.

“I’m disappointed we haven’t got a better result. Egil (Selvik) made some big saves to keep us in the game. At the end we created a couple of chances but it was too late for us.

“In the beginning I thought (Andre) Brooks was offside but looking again he was onside so I have to recognise that.

“The Championship hasn’t changed. The games can be so tight and this was one of those games. It was an equal game where big things made the difference.

“We will work hard in the next few days and we do everything we can to do better in the next game.”