Sheffield United: Vini Souza sends 6-word message to Sheffield Wednesday after Steel City Derby triumph…
Sheffield United midfielder Vini Souza has issued a six-word message to Sheffield Wednesday after his side completed a double in this season’s Steel City Derby.
Despite not being able to play a part in the passionate contest on the pitch, the 25-year-old was part of Chris Wilder’s travelling party which made the approximate four-mile journey from Bramall Lane to Hillsborough and saw the Blades regain their spot inside the Championship’s automatic promotion places after edging out the Owls.
This season saw the bitter rivals face off with each other for the first time since March 2019, and both encounters continued a trend of extremely cagey affairs, with Rhian Brewster’s 64th-minute strike proving the difference in S6, with the former Liverpool man firing into an empty net after Tyrese Campbell’s deflected cross wrong-footed Wednesday keeper, James Beadle.
Souza was a big part of the post-game celebrations after November’s encounter between the South Yorkshire sides, and the Brazilian has now taken a swipe at Wednesday supporters from inside the Hillsborough dressing room after the full-time whistle.
Vini Souza issues six-word message after Sheffield United win Steel City Derby
Rhian Brewster scores for Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday
The box-to-box midfielder has featured in the majority of United’s second tier outings this season, but missed the midweek draw with Bristol City amid a hamstring issue.
The same injury would also deny him from featuring on Sunday afternoon, with the Sheffield Star describing such circumstances as a “seismic blow” for the Blades, who would line up with Hamza Choudhury and academy graduate, Sydie Peck, at the base of midfield.
After United recorded their first win over the Owls on home turf since September 2009, Souza was spotted afterwards in and among a crowd of supporters in a local pub, with the midfielder serenaded alongside Wilder and lifelong fan and England cricketer, Joe Root.
The man who was linked with a potential departure from the club after relegation from the Premier League will have no doubt endeared himself to the Bramall Lane faithful this weekend too, as he posed for a picture on his Instagram story alongside match-winner Brewster, Campbell, Peck, Gustavo Hamer and Ben Brereton Diaz.
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To accompany the celebratory image, Souza would issue a six-word swipe at those of a Blue and White persuasion, stating: (Sheffield is) still red and always will be.”
Billy Sharp reacts as Sheffield United continue unbeaten run over Sheffield Wednesday
Billy Sharp playing for Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday
Another man present at Hillsborough who is held in such high regard by Blades supporters is Billy Sharp, with the boyhood fan and club-record top scorer part of BBC Radio Sheffield’s coverage of the fixture.
Sharp was part of the side which began the power-shift in the Steel City as United rose from League One to the Premier League between 2017 and 2019, with Wednesday failing to finish higher than their cross-city rivals ever since their promotion back to the second tier eight years ago.
The 39-year-old believes that the promotion-chasing side will take huge confidence heading into their final eight games after extending their unbeaten record over Wednesday to six games.
“They won’t win the league after this game but they will gain confidence getting a win over their local rivals,” Sharp stated.
The way United set up – it’s a different style away from home and to come away from your rivals with a 1-0 win, they’ll take that all day long.
Sheffield United’s chances of promotion have only strengthened with Steel City Derby win.
Chris Wilder celebrates Sheffield United’s win in the Steel City Derby
Aside from clinching the bragging rights in the derby once more. Sunday’s victory held greater significance for Wilder’s men in the season’s overall context, having played catch-up on their nearest rivals, Leeds and Burnley.
The side which began the season with a two-point deduction have once again drawn level with Daniel Farke’s side at the top of the division with 80 points to their name, with the Whites holding a much superior goal difference.
However the Blades climbed back above Scott Parker’s record-breaking side holding a two-point buffer ahead of the international break.
