“It’s a really big win," said the manager. "I thought the lads were brilliant and you have to be if you are going to win here at Bramall Lane. It’s a really difficult place to come.

“I thought first half we were the better team. We really quietened them down. I just felt our final third stuff could have been a bit sharper and we could have maybe caused them a few more problems, but we had lots of periods of control and looked fairly comfortable.

“I thought we could have been a bit better when we won the ball back and in transition at times as well, but to get the goal at the time we did in the second half was great. It was brilliant play from Eli.

“And then they are going to start throwing everything at it. They are second in the league, big stadium, big crowd and all of that, and they start really putting it on us, but I thought we defended really well."

Edwards admitted he was down after losing midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu to injury in the first half, after Alfie Doughty and Jordan Clark picked up knocks in training and had to miss the match.

“I’m just a little bit gutted as well because I feel for Pelly," said Edwards. "As I’ve just said to the lads in there, we’ve got to look after each other. We are a family and he gives everything for this club, and then Bez when he came on gave absolutely everything, as all of the lads always do, and helped us get over the line.

“It’s a great result, of course it is, and we’ve got to celebrate it and enjoy it, and the supporters have got to. They’ve travelled in great numbers on a long journey, so thank you to them.

“But I just feel a little bit for Pelly today, and we’ve lost a couple of lads over the last two days, important players for us.”