The officiating squad for Sheffield United’s trip to West Bromwich Albion has been announced, with David Webb taking command of his first Blades game this season.
United travel to the Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon hoping to maintain their excellent form, which included a 1-0 home win over Sunderland last weekend, the sixth of a seven-game unbeaten streak. Chris Wilder’s side has now taken 19 of their past 21 possible points, leading the Championship by two points.
Burnley will play Middlesbrough on Friday evening before Leeds United face Derby County on Saturday, so the Blades might start third on Sunday. However, the entire squad will be focused on Sunday and keeping their end of the bargain.
The EFL confirmed on Wednesday that Webb will take control of the crucial Championship game, his first of the season featuring United. This season, the veteran official has been in the middle of 11 second-tier games and is without a doubt one of the more merciful referees.
In those 11 games, Webb has blown up for an average of 20.27 fouls, the second lowest of any official who has presided over ten or more games. Furthermore, he issues only 2.91 yellow cards per game, making him the only referee to officiate more than five games with an average of less than three.
Webb last refereed a United game in May 2023, which the Blades won 2-1 at Birmingham City. At the Hawthorns, he will be assisted by Rob Smith and George Byrne, with fourth official Leigh Doughty standing between both dugouts.
United will try to avoid any controversy on Sunday in what appears to be a very challenging test. Wilder will be without both of his first-choice centre-backs for the game, with Anel Ahmedhodzic serving the final game of a three-game ban and Harry Souttar suspended for one match after being sent off against Sunderland.
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