Sheffield United didn’t just win the Steel City derby — they buried it. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Hillsborough Stadium, a cold, rain-slicked pitch in Sheffield, Sheffield United crushed their rivals Sheffield Wednesday 3-0, extending their current winning streak in the rivalry to three straight matches. The goals came from Tyrese Campbell, who bagged a brace in the 11th and 48th minutes, and substitute Tom Cannon, whose deflected strike in the 72nd minute sealed the deal. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement — loud, clear, and delivered with a side of humiliation.
Derby Dominance: A Three-Game Streak That’s Breaking Hearts
This wasn’t the first time Sheffield United had outclassed Wednesday this season — but it was the most complete. The last time Wednesday won this fixture? Over a year ago, in March 2024. Since then, United have turned the derby into a one-sided affair. With this result, their all-time competitive record against Wednesday now stands at 53 wins to 48, with 147 total meetings. In league play alone — the real battleground — United lead 46-36, with 166 goals scored to Wednesday’s 149. That’s not luck. That’s momentum. That’s a psychological chokehold.
“It’s another red and white day in the city of Sheffield,” said one fan in the stands, clutching a faded scarf from the 1990s. And he wasn’t wrong. The stands at Hillsborough, usually a sea of clashing blue and white, were drowned in red and white. The atmosphere wasn’t electric — it was oppressive. Wednesday’s players looked like men waiting for a sentence they already knew was coming.
The Goals: Campbell’s Brilliance and Cannon’s Breakthrough
Tyrese Campbell didn’t just score — he announced himself. His first goal, in the 11th minute, was clinical: a low, driven finish after a perfect cross from Brooks found him at the edge of the six-yard box. No hesitation. No drama. Just execution. By the 48th minute, he’d doubled it — this time, a smart cutback from the left flank left Wednesday’s defense frozen. He slotted it past goalkeeper Valerie, who had been criticized all afternoon for poor positioning.
Then came Tom Cannon. The 22-year-old striker, signed from a lower-league club last summer, had been on the fringes all season. But his first goal of the campaign — a 72nd-minute effort that took a cruel deflection off Wednesday defender Asante Akumah — was pure chaos turned into poetry. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. And in a derby, effectiveness wins trophies. “That’s the kind of goal you dream of as a kid,” Cannon said afterward. “Not the perfect strike. Just the one that finds the net when no one expects it.”
Wednesday’s Woes: A Team in Freefall
Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday remain trapped in a nightmare. Their record after 16 matches? One win, five draws, ten losses. Four points. They sit 22nd in the Championship — bottom of the table, and sinking. Manager Xisco Muñoz has been under pressure since day one, and this performance did nothing to ease it. “We were very much second best here,” he admitted post-match, his voice heavy with resignation.
It’s not just the results. It’s the pattern. Wednesday lost possession 62% of the time. They had just three shots on target. Their midfield, once the pride of the club, looked disjointed and slow. Even their fans — long-suffering, loyal, and loud — were silent by the 60th minute. The last time they beat United? December 26, 1979 — the infamous “Boxing Day Massacre,” when Wednesday won 4-0 and went on to promotion. That’s 46 years ago. And now? They haven’t won this fixture in over 18 months.
The Bigger Picture: Survival vs. Relegation
For Sheffield United, this win lifts them to 13 points from 16 games — still outside the playoff spots, but no longer flirting with the drop zone. Their last relegation from the Premier League in 2024 was brutal. This season, they’re fighting to avoid a return to League One. Every point matters. Every derby win is a psychological lifeline.
For Wednesday? They’re not just fighting relegation — they’re fighting irrelevance. With just one win in their last 11 league games, their season is slipping away. Fans are calling for Muñoz’s head. The club’s financial situation, already strained by years of mismanagement, could see further cuts if they drop to League One. The derby loss didn’t just hurt pride — it hurt prospects.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead
United’s next match is away at Blackburn Rovers on December 1, 2025 — a tough away fixture, but one they’ll approach with renewed confidence. Campbell is now on 8 goals this season. Cannon has found his groove. The defense, led by Sydie Peck (who, despite a late foul at 90+8’, held firm for most of the match), looks more organized than it has in years.
Wednesday, meanwhile, host Birmingham City on December 2. They need points. They need hope. But more than anything, they need to rediscover a spark. The last time they won a home game? September 14. That’s over two months ago.
Historical Context: A Rivalry Built on Blood and Steel
The Steel City derby dates back to 1890. It’s not just football — it’s identity. Factory workers, miners, families — generations have worn the red or the blue. The 1979 Boxing Day massacre remains a haunting memory for United fans. But now, the tables have turned. United haven’t just won — they’ve rewritten the script. In the last three derbies, they’ve scored 8 goals and conceded 0. Wednesday haven’t managed a single goal in those matches. That’s not just dominance. That’s erasure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Sheffield United’s performance changed since their Premier League relegation?
Since dropping from the Premier League in 2024, Sheffield United have rebuilt under manager Chris Wilder with a focus on defensive discipline and counter-attacking efficiency. Their 4-1-11 record in the 2025-26 Championship reflects a team learning to grind out results. Campbell’s form and Cannon’s emergence as a late-game threat have added vital attacking depth, turning them from relegation candidates into playoff hopefuls.
Why is the Steel City derby so emotionally charged for fans?
The rivalry stems from Sheffield’s industrial past — both clubs were founded by steelworkers, and the city’s identity is split between the two. Matches aren’t just about points; they’re about pride, legacy, and generational loyalty. A win feels like validation. A loss feels like betrayal. The 1979 Boxing Day Massacre still echoes in United’s fanbase, making recent dominance all the more satisfying.
What impact does this result have on Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation battle?
With just 4 points from 16 games and a goal difference of -21, Wednesday are now mathematically closer to League One than the playoffs. This loss dropped them to 22nd — the lowest position in the Championship. Their next five fixtures include four teams in the top half. Without immediate improvement, survival looks increasingly unlikely.
Who are the key players driving Sheffield United’s current success?
Tyrese Campbell (8 goals, 2 assists) is the standout, but Tom Cannon’s first goal of the season has added a crucial dimension. Midfielder Asante Akumah has been solid defensively, and full-back Sydie Peck has improved dramatically since returning from injury. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, though not playing in this match, has kept 7 clean sheets this season — a major reason United are no longer leaky.
Has the league record between the two clubs ever been this lopsided before?
Not in the modern era. The last time United held a 10-goal advantage in league meetings was in the early 1980s. But this is the first time since the 1990s that United have won three derbies in a row without conceding. The 46-36-39 league record gap has widened to its largest margin in 35 years — and it’s growing.
What’s the next big moment in this rivalry?
The return fixture at Bramall Lane on April 5, 2026, will be pivotal. If Wednesday still sit in the relegation zone, the atmosphere could be explosive — and ugly. But if United are pushing for promotion, this could be the match that seals Wednesday’s fate. The stakes? Nothing less than the soul of the Steel City.
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DeMarcus Finley
I'm DeMarcus Finley, a sports enthusiast with a special passion for soccer. As an expert in the field, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and insights about the game with others. I've spent years studying and analyzing various aspects of soccer, from player stats to team dynamics. I love writing in-depth articles and engaging opinion pieces about the beautiful game. My goal is to inspire and educate soccer fans around the world with my unique perspective and expertise.
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