Opening day is here and Brentford are taking on Sheffield United in the season opener of the 2017/18 Championship campaign.
The Bees have had a strong pre-season and confidence is high going into the curtain-raiser in south Yorkshire.
The Blades will be going into the game full of confidence after winning the League One title at a canter last season, topping 100 points over the course of the campaign.
Promotion is the aim for the west Londoners this season after Dean Smith's side finished in 10th place last term, finishing a point adrift of their 2015/16 total.
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Sheffield United counter. Jota is back at centre back and, although the King doesn’t make the tackle, the dangers is cleared.
It’s just not clicking for Brentford - they’ve been half a yard short all afternoon and slow to react on occasions. They have seven and a half minutes to rescue something here.
Nearly a moment for Maupay as he breaks through. Jamal Blackman makes the save and gets a standing ovation.
Very much a 4-2-3-1 from Brentford now with Vibe the main striker and Jota, Maupay and Watkins playing behind him.
Sheffield United are starting to sit back more here to take the win. Neal Maupay is coming on and he replaces Josh McEachran. Sheffield United bringing on Caolan Lavery for Billy Sharp.
So close from Lasse Vibe who is played through and some wholehearted defending sees his shot blocked.
Yennaris has brought a renewed drive to the team there and he will feel he should have scored with that header. Vibe will be kicking himself as well for that miss.
How have Brentford not scored? Jota draws a fine save from Blackman but he can’t handle it. Yennaris heads onto the crossbar and Vibe, under pressure from Blackman heads over from two yards out.
Nico Yennaris and Ollie Watkins have come on with Kamo Mokotjo and Florian Jozefzoon the men replaced.
Brentford are well and truly on the back foot here. They are too passive and allowing Sheffield United on to them. What would you do if you were Dean Smith? He has plenty of options on the bench. He’s having a discussion with Thomas Frank and Richard O’Kelly. Frank is doing a lot of the talking and he’s going to make a change
Sheffield United have hte ball in the net again through Billy Sharp after a free kick hit the post. The flag is up though so it won’t count.
Brentford have been saved by the linesman’s flag. Leon Clarke strayed offside. Brentford hadn’t picked him up though and, although he put the ball in the net, the flag was up.
A poor ball from John Egan finds its way to Leon Clarke. He crosses for Billy Sharp but his header is straight at Bentley. Feel that Brentford are missing the presence of Harlee Dean in the back line.
Half Time: Sheffield United 1-0 Brentford
That’s the half-time whistle. Dean Smith has some work to do. He’s got the options on the bench though to go for it.
For those still hoping for a Brentford victory, the Bees haven’t won on the opening day since 2012. They have drawn four and lost one of their last five season openers.
John Egan will be now sporting his traditional headband to cover up the cut. Third time that’s happened this year for him.
John Egan has had a collison with Billy Sharp. Both players are being treated. The Irishman appears to have a nosebleed.
GOAL! Sheffield United 1-0 Brentford (Sharp 39)
Brentford have looked weak at defending set pieces and Billy Sharp heads home after a corner isn’t cleared. Billy Clarke takes an airshot before hooking it back to the striker.
Great clearing header from Mokotjo with Clarke lurking just behind. Could easily have been 1-0 to Sheffield United. Blades fans appeal for a penalty against Bjelland but it’s waved away.
Standout Brentford player, for me, so far has been Henrik Dalsgaard. He has looked superb on the right flank. As big a fan as I am of Maxime Colin, if the Dane keeps this performance level up then the Frenchman will find himself warming the bench more often than not.
As the Blades are lifted, the Bees have become a little more nervy on the ball with a few passes going astray. They just need to keep calm and trust in their abilities. It’s clear that Brentford can take this game by the scruff of the neck but their hosts are going to be hard to break down given their formation.
That shot on goal has lifted the Blades’ fans and they are looking to capitalise. A long ball to Jota just eludes the Spaniard.
Jota has fired well wide. Great work down the right hand side from the Bees again. The ball comes in and Jota just can’t get the ball goalbound. Sheffield United go down the other end and Enda Stevens’ shot takes a deflection onto the post.
