Sheffield United’s return to the top flight for the first time since 1976 in 1990/91 quickly became a nightmare as they found the jump to the top division a lot harder than expected as when Nottingham Forest visited Bramall Lane on the Saturday before Christmas they were rooted to the bottom of the table with only 4 points gained all season and still to record their first victory.

With Forest having won the previous week on their travels at QPR they were expected to record another away victory as they travelled the short distance to Sheffield. They found a Sheffield United team managed by future Forest manager Dave Bassett who at the time was a bit of a nemesis for Forest manager Brian Clough having first beaten the then Brighton manager Clough whilst Bassett was at its first managerial post at Walton & Hersham and then future successes followed when Bassett had moved to Wimbledon.

Forest retained the same team that had triumphed at QPR with duel wingers Franz Carr and Gary Crosby both retaining their places in an attacking looking line up that also included the find of the season Roy Keane who had only signed in the summer from Irish League side Cobh Ramblers. It had been a mixed start to the season with exciting performances such as a win at Old Trafford and then some disappointing games such as a defeat at Derby which saw Forest enter the game in a mid-table 11^th place.

Sheffield United also retained the same starting line up from the previous game where they had been defeated 2-0 by reigning champions Liverpool meaning current Forest reserve team coach John Pemberton missed out with Chris Wilder retaining the the right backs shirt.

After a fairly uneventful first half which ended goalless the second half would be completely the opposite and the Blades would be the first to strike as Ian Bryson gave the home side a lead. This breakthrough brought Forest to life and they soon fought back and from being 1 behind they soon were ahead as quick goals from Roy Keane and captain Stuart Pearce gave Forest the lead.

Even though Sheffield United were short of success they continued to push forward and once Brian Deane scored an equaliser to bring the match back to 2-2 it seemed inevitable that Sheffield United’s win drought was close to ending and that was the case as Bryson scored his second of the game to seal the home teams first three points of the season.

Upon the referee’s final whistle the Sheffield United fans celebrated like they had won the league with car horns blurting out as the ecstatic fans returned home joyful of the early Christmas present they had received.

Whilst the win would be the catalyst that launched Sheffield United’s season which thanks to a run of 7 consequtive wins in the new year they would survive easily. Forest would continue to have an inconsistent league season although they did manage to have a good F.A.Cup run which saw them eventually lose to Tottenham at Wembley.

Saturday 22 December 1990

BARCLAYS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

SHEFFIELD UNITED (0) 3 v NOTTINGHAM FOREST (0) 2

1-0          Ian Bryson (Sheffield United)

1-1          Roy Keane (NFFC)

1-2          Stuart Pearce (NFFC)

2-2          Brian Deane (Sheffield United)

3-2          Ian Bryson (Sheffield United)

NFFC

Mark Crossley, Brian Laws, Stuart Pearce, Des Walker, Steve Chettle, Roy Keane, Franz Carr, Garry Parker, Nigel Clough, Nigel Jemson (Phil Starbuck), Gary Crosby

sub not used : Darren Wassall

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Simon Tracey, Chris Wilder, Wilf Rostron, Vinny Jones (Jamie Hoyland), Paul Beesley, Colin Hill, Ian Bryson, John Gannon, Carl Bradshaw, Brian Deane, Richard Lucas

sub not used : Peter Duffield

Referee :                Ray Lewis (Great Bookham, Surrey)

Attendance :        20,394