Sheffield United didn’t just win the Steel City derby—they erased any doubt. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield United Football Club dismantled their bitter rivals, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, 3-0 in a Sky Bet Championship clash that left the city stunned. The goals came from Tyrese Campbell, the 26-year-old forward whose clinical finishing turned a tense local rivalry into a one-sided statement. For Henrik Pedersen, Sheffield Wednesday’s manager, the defeat was the bitter end to a week of passionate preparation—and a stark reminder of how far his side has fallen.
The Weight of the Derby
Henrik Pedersen knew what was coming. In his pre-match press conference on Friday, November 21, 2025, he didn’t mince words. "I think United will come with a lot of power, a lot of physical power," he said, his tone heavy with respect, not fear. He spoke of second balls, direct play, and the quality of United’s attacking players. But what stood out wasn’t the tactics—it was the emotion. "It’s bigger than just themselves as a football player," Pedersen told reporters, his voice catching slightly. "For everyone who has the blue heart for our club… they feel it. And we’re ready to do everything we can."
That sentiment echoed through Hillsborough’s stands. Fans waved scarves, sang old chants, and held up banners from the 1990s—when Wednesday last truly dominated this fixture. But the atmosphere, electric at kickoff, turned quiet by halftime. United didn’t just match the intensity—they surpassed it.
The Match That Broke the City
The game kicked off at 14:33 UTC, as broadcast by Sky Sports, and within 18 minutes, the script had already been rewritten. Campbell opened the scoring with a low, curling finish after a sharp pass from Oliver McBurnie. The second came just before the break—a header from Ben Brereton Díaz off a corner, the kind of set-piece dominance Wednesday had failed to defend all season. The third, sealed by Campbell in the 72nd minute, was a solo run that left three defenders grasping at air. No penalties. No red cards. Just cold, efficient football.
Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, looked disjointed. Their midfield trio of Sam Hutchinson, Sam Morsy, and Charlie Kirk were overrun. Bailey, the returning defender Pedersen mentioned in his presser, played the full 90 but was constantly out of position. The team managed just two shots on target. The stats told the story: 68% possession for United, 14 corners, 87% pass accuracy. Wednesday’s 48% pass accuracy was their lowest in a league game since April 2024.
Standings That Tell a Darker Story
Before the match, Sheffield Wednesday sat 15th in the Championship with just one win in 15 games. They’d scored 12 goals, conceded 29. Their goal difference: -17. Their points total: -4 after the deduction for financial breaches. That’s not a typo. The club’s financial troubles—dating back to the 2023 takeover—still haunt them. The EFL’s penalty has turned a bad season into a nightmare.
Sheffield United, by contrast, moved to 7th place with 32 points. A win like this doesn’t just boost morale—it sends a message to the top six. Their next five fixtures include away games at Blackburn and Stoke, but the belief is growing. "We’ve been close before," said captain McBurnie post-match. "But this? This felt different. The fans, the city… we knew what it meant."
For Wednesday, the next match—scheduled against Sunderland Association Football Club on May 5, 2026—isn’t just another game. It’s a lifeline. But with only four wins left in the season, and a squad drained of confidence, survival feels increasingly unlikely. Their relegation zone rivals—Barnsley, Wigan, and Plymouth—are all breathing down their necks.
What Changed Since Last Year?
The rivalry dates back to November 15, 1889—the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. For decades, it was a battle of equals. But since United’s relegation from the Premier League in 2021, they’ve rebuilt smarter. They’ve invested in youth, hired experienced coaches, and embraced data analytics. Wednesday, meanwhile, have cycled through five managers since 2022. Their ownership, led by the controversial Chien Lee, has been embroiled in legal disputes and fan protests over ticket pricing and transfer policy.
Even the broadcasting rights have changed. United’s SUTV platform can no longer stream matches in the UK. Fans must now subscribe to Sky Sports+, a move that’s angered many loyal supporters. But for those who made it to Hillsborough on Sunday, the price of admission was worth it—for the first time in years, they watched their team dominate, not just compete.
What’s Next?
Sheffield United’s next match is away at Blackburn Rovers on December 1, 2025. If they win, they’ll be within three points of the automatic promotion spots. Their next home game, against Leeds United on December 14, could be a de facto playoff qualifier.
For Sheffield Wednesday, the path is bleaker. Their next home game—against Birmingham City on December 7—is now a must-win. But with injuries piling up, morale sinking, and the financial penalty still hanging over them, the question isn’t whether they’ll be relegated—it’s whether they’ll survive to see next season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sheffield Wednesday’s points total listed as -4 before the match?
Sheffield Wednesday received a four-point deduction from the EFL in March 2025 for breaching financial sustainability rules tied to their 2023 takeover. This penalty, combined with only one win in 15 games, left them with a net total of -4 points before the derby. It’s the first time in Championship history a club has started a season with a negative points total.
How has Tyrese Campbell’s performance impacted Sheffield United’s promotion chances?
Campbell has scored 11 league goals this season, including four in his last five matches. His pace and finishing have made him United’s most reliable attacker. With McBurnie and Brereton Díaz also firing, United now have three players with 10+ goals—rare in the Championship. That firepower is key to their push for the top two.
Why couldn’t fans stream the match on SUTV?
As part of the EFL’s new broadcast rights deal signed in 2024, Sky Sports secured exclusive UK streaming rights for Championship matches. SUTV, Sheffield United’s former streaming platform, lost its rights. Fans in the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands must now watch via Sky Sports+, which launched a dedicated channel in August 2025. This change sparked widespread fan anger, especially among lower-income supporters.
What does Henrik Pedersen’s future look like at Sheffield Wednesday?
Pedersen’s contract runs until June 2026, but his future is uncertain. After seven straight losses since September, and with the club’s board under pressure from fans, he’s on thin ice. While his pre-match comments showed emotional connection, his tactical adjustments during games have been criticized. A win against Sunderland in May could save him—but with only 11 games left, time is running out.
Is the Steel City derby still as big as it used to be?
Absolutely. Even with Wednesday’s decline, the derby drew over 38,000 fans to Hillsborough—the highest attendance of the season for either club. Social media trends showed 2.1 million mentions in 24 hours. The rivalry isn’t about league position—it’s about identity, history, and pride. That won’t fade, even if the results do.
When was the last time Sheffield United won the derby by three goals?
The last 3-0 win for Sheffield United in the derby came in March 2011, under manager Danny Wilson. That match, also at Hillsborough, was followed by United’s promotion to the Premier League. This 2025 victory feels eerily similar—a signpost, not just a result.