Sharp has two goals this season, both against Bournemouth
Sheffield United moved up to fifth in the Premier League after fighting back to earn a dramatic win over Bournemouth in blustery conditions at Bramall Lane.
The Cherries took a deserved lead when Callum Wilson reacted quickest and swept home the rebound after Harry Wilson's effort had been blocked.
The hosts responded well and Billy Sharp scored from close range in first-half injury time after a sustained spell of pressure.
With seven minutes left John Lundstram collected a pass from fellow substitute Lys Mousset and, after an excellent first touch, steered the ball past Aaron Ramsdale for a late winner.
A lot of credit for the victory must also go to Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who made a superb save from Ryan Fraser when the score was 1-1.
The victory takes Sheffield United, who won promotion from the Championship last season and have never played in major European competition, above Tottenham and only two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in a Champions League spot.
- Relive Sheffield United's win over Bournemouth
Storming entertainment
On Wednesday, the Met Office designated the approaching weather front Storm Ciara and serious doubts remained whether the game would go ahead.
Sunday's other Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham was called off, as were all the games in the Women's Super League and Women's Championship, while top-flight encounters in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany were also cancelled.
A downpour, along with winds over 50mph at Bramall Lane two hours before kick-off, raised doubts about whether the match would go ahead as the storm hit Sheffield hard.
But the rain eased off, it was even sunny for a brief period in the first half and the two sides produced a thrilling match.
Bournemouth's 13th-minute lead did not come as a surprise but from then on they struggled to impose themselves on the match as the Blades produced a spirited performance in front of a passionate home support.
Jack O'Connell headed over, Oli McBurnie has an effort well held, Ollie Norwood had a chance blocked and McBurnie forced a fine one-handed save from Ramsdale.
But the away goalkeeper was beaten in first-half injury time as Sharp, just as he had done in the 1-1 draw at Vitality Stadium in the first game of the season, made it level.
The Blades continued to impress after the break and Sharp had a shot saved by Ramsdale, Sander Berge glanced a header wide before Mousset, against his former club, set up Lundstram for the winning goal.
More to follow.
Super subs - the stats
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Sheffield United have won six of their last seven Premier League games against teams starting the day in the bottom half of the league (D1).
Bournemouth have lost seven of their last eight Premier League away games (W1), losing each of the last four in a row.
Sheffield United have scored six Premier League goals via substitutes this season - more than any other club; two of those have come against Bournemouth (Billy Sharp in August, John Lundstram today).
Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has now scored in two of his last three Premier League appearances (two goals), having failed to find the net in 15 consecutive appearances prior to this.
Both of Sharp's Premier League goals for Sheffield United have come against Bournemouth, also scoring on the opening day against the Cherries.
Bournemouth's Wilson is one of only seven English players to have scored 40 Premier League goals since August 2015, the month he made his debut in the competition.
There were 16 British players in the starting XI for this match, the most in a Premier League game since February 2019 (Burnley vs Southampton, also 16).
Since August 2016 when Chris Wilder took charge of the club, Sharp has scored 68 league goals for Sheffield United - 39 more than any other player in this time.
What's next?
Sheffield United are scheduled to only play one more match this month and that comes on Saturday, 22 February, again at Bramall Lane, with Brighton the visitors (15:00 GMT). The Blades are then due to have a week off as their scheduled game at Aston Villa will have to be rearranged because Villa face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
For Bournemouth, Eddie Howe takes on his former side Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, 22 February (15:00) and seven days later the Cherries entertain Chelsea, who they beat 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in December (15:00).
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
1Henderson
6Basham
12Egan
5O'Connell
2Baldock
32BergeSubstituted forLundstramat 61'minutes
16Norwood
4Fleck
3StevensBooked at 39mins
9McBurnie
10SharpSubstituted forMoussetat 74'minutesBooked at 89mins
Substitutes
7Lundstram
15Jagielka
17McGoldrick
21Verrips
22Mousset
23Osborn
29Retsos
Bournemouth
12Ramsdale
15A Smith
2FrancisBooked at 90mins
5Aké
21Rico
22H WilsonSubstituted forKingat 72'minutes
29Billing
6SurmanBooked at 53minsSubstituted forSolankeat 88'minutes
4Gosling
24FraserSubstituted forStanislasat 84'minutes
13C Wilson
Substitutes
1Boruc
3S Cook
7King
9Solanke
16L Cook
17Stacey
19Stanislas
Referee:
Jonathan Moss
Attendance:
30,361
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamBournemouth
Possession
Home54%
Away46%
Shots
Home16
Away10
Shots on Target
Home6
Away2
Corners
Home8
Away4
Fouls
Home10
Away8
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Bournemouth 1.
Full TimePosted at 90'+5'
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Bournemouth 1.
BookingPosted at 90'+4'
Simon Francis (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90'+4'
Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Simon Francis (Bournemouth).
Posted at 90'
Attempt missed. Nathan Aké (Bournemouth) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Diego Rico with a cross following a corner.
Posted at 90'
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Lys Mousset.
BookingPosted at 89'
Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 89'
Foul by Lys Mousset (Sheffield United).
Posted at 89'
Philip Billing (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
SubstitutionPosted at 88'
Substitution, Bournemouth. Dominic Solanke replaces Andrew Surman.
Posted at 87'
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 87'
Foul by Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth).
Goal!Posted at 84'
Goal! Sheffield United 2, Bournemouth 1. John Lundstram (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lys Mousset.
SubstitutionPosted at 84'
Substitution, Bournemouth. Junior Stanislas replaces Ryan Fraser.
Posted at 83'
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Adam Smith.
Posted at 81'
John Fleck (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 81'
Foul by Joshua King (Bournemouth).
Posted at 79'
Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79'
Foul by Nathan Aké (Bournemouth).
Posted at 77'
Attempt blocked. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Oliver McBurnie.
Posted at 75'
Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Joshua King (Bournemouth).
SubstitutionPosted at 74'
Substitution, Sheffield United. Lys Mousset replaces Billy Sharp.
Posted at 72'
Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 72'
Foul by Dan Gosling (Bournemouth).
SubstitutionPosted at 72'
Substitution, Bournemouth. Joshua King replaces Harry Wilson.
Posted at 71'
George Baldock (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 71'
Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth).
Posted at 71'
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Jack O'Connell.
Posted at 71'
Attempt saved. Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum Wilson.
Posted at 68'
Foul by Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United).
Posted at 68'
Harry Wilson (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 66'
Attempt missed. Harry Wilson (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Callum Wilson with a headed pass.
Posted at 65'
Attempt missed. John Lundstram (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Chris Basham.
Posted at 63'
Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United).
Posted at 63'
Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 61'
Substitution, Sheffield United. John Lundstram replaces Sander Berge.
Posted at 61'
Attempt missed. Nathan Aké (Bournemouth) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Simon Francis with a headed pass following a corner.
Posted at 60'
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by John Egan.
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Source: bbc.com