Sheffield United players came to blows among themselves during a 1-0 defeat at Wolves on Sunday that pushed the Blades ever closer to relegation from the Premier League.
Pablo Sarabia’s header earned Gary O’Neil’s men the three points which lifts Wolves up to eighth in the table.
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In the aftermath of the goal, a heated argument between Sheffield United pair Vinícius Souza and Jack Robinson descended into pushing.
A VAR check was required before both were allowed to continue in scenes reminiscent of a fight between Newcastle players Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer that saw both sent-off in 2005.
Speaking to Radio Sheffield, Blades boss Chris Wilder wasn’t fussed about the incident.
“I’m alright with it as you can absolutely expect I would be,” Wilder said.
“The narrative is that we don’t care outside of the football club, not by our supporters.
“These things happen, I don’t want to make too much of it.
“They’re alright, as long as it doesn’t carry on. I’ve had that in my time previous here.
“It doesn’t matter. They shake hands, they get on, they want to win, they want to do well and they’re passionate about the football club.
“Of course, you want to make sure it doesn’t go over.”
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However, the visitors showed the right kind of fight in the second half to push Wolves into a nervy finish.
Chris Wilder’s men were inches away from an equaliser late on when Auston Trusty failed to touch in James McAtee’s dangerous ball across the goal.
But a 19th defeat in 26 league games leaves Sheffield United still rooted to the foot of the table, eight points adrift of safety, and staring an immediate return to the Championship in the face.
A season of struggle was also predicted for Wolves after losing manager Julen Lopetegui just days before the campaign began.
But O’Neil is among the contenders for manager of the year in England as he has instead masterminded a challenge for European competition next season.
Wolves move ahead of Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham and within one point of seventh-placed Brighton.
