Sheffield United’s unbeaten start to the league season was ended this evening with a 2-0 defeat at the home of local rivals Leeds United. The Blades weathered the hosts’ storm in the first half before second-half goals from Pascal Struijk and sub Mateo Joseph sealed three points.
United did not offer enough attacking threat of their own on a night of real frustration as a jubilant home crowd savoured victory over their rivals in their own bid for promotion. Here’s how we rated United’s players on an evening that won’t live long in the memory of Unitedites...
5. Rhys Norrington-Davies 5
Made his first league start in some time and what a baptism of fire it was, on the right of United's back three. He was solid for the most part, snapping into tackles and leaving Tanaka feeling the full force of one, before he was withdrawn for Rak-Sakyi as United changed formation to chase the game | Sportimage
6. Harrison Burrows 5
Back in the side after being left on the bench against Luton and this was a real eye-opener to the levels of the Championship, up against former Blade Bogle down the United left. It may be lacking a bit of confidence but he seems reluctant to try and beat a man on the outside, getting Bogle exactly where United wanted him in a one-on-one situation and instead looking inside for Hamer rather than trying to beat a man not exactly known for his one-v-one defending prowess | Sportimage
7. Gus Hamer 5
The summer Leeds target was back in a more central position thanks to the reshuffle and showed the odd flash of promise, including a nice dummy early on which fashioned a yard of space for a shot which was deflected into Meslier's arms, but it was a frustrating night for most in red and white and Hamer's reaction as he settled on the bench after making way suggested that he felt that frustration too | George Wood/Getty Images Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
8. Vini Souza 5
At his combative best in the first half as he used every ounce of experience to frustrate the hosts but then picked up a yellow in the second half which will keep him out of the big trip to Boro - and even more frustrating that it was entirely avoidable, ref Smith indicating it was for waving an imaginary card to suggest a Leeds man should have been booked. Was the closest man to Struijk as he put Leeds ahead with a striker's finish from a corner routine. Made way for Brewster with just under 10 minutes of normal time to go | Getty Images