Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder “really enjoyed” his side’s performance in the 1-0 win over Preston at Bramall Lane.
Tyrese Campbell struck the only goal in the second half as the Blades moved level on points with leaders Leeds, who head to Portsmouth on Sunday lunchtime.
Wilder said: “I thought the performance was good and it wasn’t really reflected in the scoreline.
“We really should’ve been pretty comfortably ahead at the break with the way we were playing, causing them all sorts of problems.
“I think there was more anxiety amongst the crowd than there was the players and coaching staff as the fans expect us to win.
“We kept playing our stuff and defended well, Michael (Cooper) hasn’t had much to do all afternoon.
“It was a brilliant cross by Harrison (Burrows) and a great bit of movement from Tyrese to get the goal; I’m delighted he’s got the winner.
“We didn’t want to chase the game, we wanted the game to come to us. We had to be patient and we took our chance when it came.
“We wanted to overcome the disappointment of our last result at home where we’ve played well but come away with nothing.
“We don’t just want to put our foot through it, we want to play out from the back and we did. That’s where we created our opportunities – I really enjoyed watching the team today.
“Late on they went very direct and anything can happen to give them an opportunity to get back into the game. It could be a slip, a decision, a ricochet but we gave them nothing and I’m really happy with that.
“We have the most wins in the division but we know it’s not enough yet. We have 10 massive games left, just as every other team in the league does.”
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom admitted one lapse in concentration cost them on his return to his former club.
He said: “I think there were a lot of elements to the game. In the first half an hour we were off it and they caused us lots of problems; probably more than most this season.
“They forced us to defend but once we got to grips with it, we had a lot more control.
“We should have had a penalty in the first half. Coming here you have got to play well, take your chances and have the big decisions go your way and a big one has gone against us.
“I was disappointed with how easily United were able to upset our rhythm but I was pleased having got in at the break level.
“We restricted them to very little in the second half but there was just one moment, one lapse in concentration, and we concede.
“We didn’t get out quick enough to stop the cross and Freddie (Woodman) couldn’t quite get there.
“United were one of my favourites to go up at the start of the season. They have as good a starting team as anyone in the league and they’ve added depth to their squad.
“We certainly had more shots than them in the second half and defensively we were good.
“I’ve been pleased with how competitive we are this season but the difference is we’ve been drawing our games compared to a top team like Sheffield United who have been winning them.
“The area we let ourselves down in compared to the teams at the top is making that final decision. We need to be having far more shots and making far more chances.
“This is the top standard but surely we want to be matching these teams; these are the standards we should be aiming for.”
