Walsall 4 Sheffield United 1 - Report and pictures

Analysis

Goals from Amadou Bakayoko, Jason McCarthy, Joe Edwards and an Erhun Oztumer penalty saw the Saddlers run riot at the Banks's Stadium.

The Blades arrived in the West Midlands boasting the best away record in League One and with a four point cushion at the summit.

But they had no answer to a rampant Walsall side who produced arguably their best display of the season to thrash Chris Wilder's men.

It means Walsall have now beaten the Blades three times this season, having previously won at Bramall Lane in both the league and Checkatrade Trophy.

Whitney sprung a surprise in naming his starting line-up with the boss making four changes from the team that slipped to defeat against Rochdale.

Eoghan O'Connoll was handed his debut at centre-back after joining on loan from Celtic on Thursday. There were also recalls for Matt Preston, Isaiah Osbourne and Erhun Oztumer.

It meant Walsall matched the Blades 3-5-2 formation with Oztumer playing just behind Bakayokp up front.

Sheffield United included League One's top scorer Billy Sharp in their starting XI as well as Wolves loanee Ethan Ebanks-Landell who started in central defence.

Chris Wilder's side entered the clash having won each of their last six games and they came a whisker away from opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

Eoghan O'Connoll's poor pass went straight to Kieron Freemen who then whipped a tantalizing ball into the box.

The delivery was taken down by Sharp who turned to work himself some space before cannoning a strike against the bar from 12-yards.

It was Walsall though who took the lead just seconds later thanks to a blistering counter attack that ended with Joe Edwards slipping in Bakayoko.

The striker collected the pass in his stride and had time to assess his options before producing the crispest of finishes to drill the ball across goal and into the far corner.

What had proved a frantic opening took another twist in the 11^th minute when the Blades pulled level. A deep cross was headed across goal by Ebanks-Landell with Jack O'Connoll on hand to nod home from close range.

The game was proving an entertaining and intriguing battle with Sheff United working their way into dangerous positions but with Walsall a real threat on the counter.

Osbourne and Edwards – who was playing as a left wing-back – were looking particular lively for Whitney's side with Florent Cuvelier also bright against his former side.

But it was the Blades who came closest to scoring again as the clock ticked towards the half hour mark. An excellent Freeman delivery looked destined to be side-footed home by Sharp.

But Preston did exceptionally well to put the forward under pressure with Sharp then scuffing his effort wide from point blank range.

That chance aside the teams got to half-time unable to be separated with both sides playing with the right amount of aggression and moving the ball with good pace and tempo.

The game showed no signs of slowing down at the start of the second half with Walsall almost re-taking the lead in spectacular style just two minutes after the interval.

Bakayoko produced an acrobatic and outrageous over-head kick on the edge of the box as he looked to find the bottom right corner.

But Blades keeper Simon Moore was equal to the effort and produced a diving stop to tip the ball around the post.

What was a gripping encounter was then decided in a frenzied 10 minute spell that started with Walsall retaking the lead.

Some wonderful combination play between Cuvelier and Oztumer allowed Walsall to work the ball to McCarthy on the right.

The wing-back then played a fantastic one-two with Bakayoko to burst into the box and then steer the ball past Moore and into the next.

Just minutes later Whitney's side should have been further ahead when Edwards was played in on goal and managed to take the ball around the on-rushing Moore.

The former Yeovil man looked destined to open his Saddlers account but as he looked to place the ball into an empty net, his strike hit Jack O'Connoll.

Edwards and the Banks's crowd were adamant the ball had been stopped by the defender's arm butt referee Richard Clark instead awarded a corner.

Despite the sense of injustice sweeping around WS1, Edwards did give his side a two goal cushion shortly after.

A long ball forward was collected by Bakayoko who then slipped in the versatile 26-year-old.

And this time Edwards kept his composure to cut inside a defender and place the ball in the bottom corner and beyond the outstretched arms of Moore.

Whitney introduced George Dobson for Cuvelier with 15 minutes remaining.

And the change proved an inspired one with Dobson's fresh legs immediately winning his side a penalty when he chased down a ball a ball into the box before being brought down by Moore.

Oztumer stood over the resultant spot-kick and calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net for his ninth of the campaign.

Sheffield United tried to find a way back into the game in the closing 15 minutes.

But it was Walsall who were deserving of their victory with all Whitney's players putting in a fantastic performance but with McCarthy, Edwards and Osbourne particularly shining.

Key moments