Billy Sharp says one Sheffield Wednesday ace should be ‘disappointed’ in himself after Steel City derby moment

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Sheffield Wednesday lost 1-0 at home to their ultimate rivals, Sheffield United.

United clinched their first league double over their city rivals for the first time since 2005-06 and dented the Owls’ playoff hopes.

The Blades have been the best away side in the competition, achieving their sixth consecutive away win.

This painful loss leaves Wednesday six points adrift of the top six with eight games still to play, following a powerful resurgence with consecutive away wins that had rekindled their Championship playoff hopes.

Unfortunately, the spectre of poor form at Hillsborough has loomed large over Wednesday all season long – they boast the second-worst record on home soil in the division.

And as former Sheffield United star Billy Sharp points out, their letdowns don’t end there.

Billy Sharp says Michael Smith should have scored for Wednesday

During Sky Sports’ coverage of the game, Sharp brought attention to a moment that is sure to leave one player feeling a twinge of disappointment.

United goalkeeper Michael Cooper’s strong hand brilliantly kept out a powerful header from Wednesday’s Michael Smith, just shy of the 10-minute mark.

It was an incredible save from Cooper—one that Chris Wilder will undoubtedly applaud—but Sharp fears it might linger in Smith’s mind.

“I don’t like to be too critical,” Bullen said.

“I like to see a striker head it down, but that’s a big save from Michael Cooper and a wonderful ball from Ryo Hatsuse. It’s a powerful header, though.”

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
10	WatfordWatford	38	15	7	16	47	51	-4	52
11	MillwallMillwall	38	13	12	13	37	39	-2	51
12	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	38	14	9	15	53	59	-6	51
13	NorwichNorwich	38	12	13	13	60	54	6	49
14	PrestonPreston	38	10	17	11	39	44	-5	47

Former Sheffield United player Sharp responded: “I think Michael Smith will be disappointed. Head it down, either side, and he’s going to score.”

The score remained 0-0 at the break, and Sharp and Bullen were still talking about that momentous save.

At half-time, Bullen added: “What a save that is from the keeper though… I think he’s the best keeper in the league.”

“Yes, he’s hit the target, he’s made Cooper make the save,” Sharp said.

“But Smith’s eyes will have lit up… he had a long time to see the ball, connected well… we could be sat here saying he’s missed the target, but he will be disappointed though.”

Smith isn’t the only guilty party

Despite what Bullen claims, Smith isn’t the only guilty party among the Owls players’ performances following today’s poor showing.

The home side delivered 14 shots in total, whereas the Blades produced 9, leaving question marks over the likes of Josh Windass and Djeidi Gassama.

Wednesday also conjured up and squandered two crucial chances—one with Smith’s near miss and another from Windass, whose shot was blocked by Harrison Burrows.

Meanwhile, the visitors crafted one opportunity and scored—now that’s efficiency at its finest.

This stark contrast highlights the growing frustration within Sheffield Wednesday; they can create those golden chances and moments of promise, yet they consistently fail to seal the deal.

And teams like Sheffield United, they know how to finish.