Sheffield United 0-1 Millwall: Benda Denies Blades in Much-Improved Second Half Display

Originally posted on Sheff United Way | By Jake Staniland | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 4:24 AM ET

The pressure has only increased on Ruben Selles as Sheffield United suffered yet another defeat, this time it was a lethargic 1-0 loss to Millwall at Bramall Lane.

Millwall scored the only goal of the game right before half-time as Mihailo Ivanovic proved to be a handful in the air as his flick-on found Luke Cundle who steered it past Michael Cooper from close range in front of the kop.

Ruben Selles named an attacking lineup for his second home game, and he also handed a debut to Ben Godfrey who replaced Femi Seriki.

Lineups

Blades: Cooper, Godfrey, Bindon (Seriki 81), Cannon (Brooks 59), Hamer, O’Hare, Burrows, Robinson, Campbell, Barry (Oné 81), Peck.

Unused subs: A. Davies, McCallum, Soumare, Ukaki, Norrington-Davies, Marsh.

Millwall: Benda, Sturge, Crama, Cooper, Ivanovic (Kelly 79), Neghli (Emakhu 70), Leonard, Coburn (Nisbet 85), Luongo, De Norre, Cundle (Harding 85).

Unused subs: Crocombe, Mayor, Grant, Matthews, Howland.

First Half

The opening half hour saw opportunities at both ends, though neither goalkeeper was truly troubled. Ryan Leonard went closest for the away side, driving just over the bar, before Camiel Neghli tried his luck from 20 yards, his strike narrowly clearing Michael Cooper’s crossbar.

Leonard was again involved when he found space on the right and squared to Luke Cundle, but the midfielder’s shot was smartly tipped over by Cooper.

At the other end, the Blades put a nice move together but it resulted with Harrison Burrows dragging a long-range attempt wide.

Home frustrations grew louder when the breakthrough came seven minutes before the interval. Luke Cundle beat the offside trap to latch onto a Mihailo Ivanovic flick-on, reacting quickest to fire home after a corner had been kept alive.

Second Half

The hosts improved after the restart and finally began to threaten. Louie Barry forced a sharp stop from Benda down low to his right, before Sydie Peck’s header from the resulting corner was scrambled off the line.

Andre Brooks then carved out an opening with a driving run down the right, slipping in Callum O’Hare, whose shot drifted just beyond the far post. Benda was called into action again to deny Gustavo Hamer, stretching to tip away a curling effort towards the top right corner.

When Burrows rattled the post with a fierce strike that agonisingly rolled across the line before going out for a goal kick, it became clear this would not be United’s afternoon. Tyrese Campbell later saw a header cleared off the line by Tristan Crama to compound their frustration.

Despite a much brighter second-half showing, the Blades could not find a way through, and the final whistle was greeted by loud boos from the home crowd as Ruben Selles’ era at Sheffield United begins with four-straight defeats.

This article first appeared on Sheff United Way and was syndicated with permission.

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