It was an afternoon of frustration for Sheffield United as they were beaten 2-0 at Brentford this afternoon to hammer another nail into their relegation coffin. The Blades had plenty of possession around the Brentford box but were often lacking the final bit of quality to test Mark Flekken in the home goal.
At the other end Oliver Arblaster was unfortunate to deflect a cross into his own goal for the opener before lax defending saw Fred Onyeka double Brentford’s lead after Mikkel Damsgaard earlier saw a volleyed finish ruled out after a VAR check following Nathan Collins’ foul on United skipper Oli McBurnie. There was more injury concern for the Blades as Jayden Bogle had to be helped around the pitch by United staff - here’s how we rated United’s players in west London...
5. Auston Trusty 6
Back in a more familiar central role with Robinson out injured and enjoyed a good battle with Mbuemo after an early barge from the Brentford man off the ball. Was good defensively and also offered a threat going forward down the left, with his deep cross leading to a half-chance for Bogle
6. Yasser Larouci 5
Came in from the cold for his first start in almost two months at left wing back and was heavily involved early on, with a dangerous cross just evading everyone in the middle and some dangerous forward runs getting United on the front foot. But then had a period where he was under the cosh defensively as a poor header back went out for a corner and Mbuemo put him under pressure. He dealt with it well enough before making way just before the hour mark for McAtee, earning a good reception from the travelling Blades as he made his way off past them
7. Oliver Arblaster 7
He gave United another fitness scare in the first half when he went down for a 10-count a few minutes after a heavy challenge but he recovered to put in another composed display in the middle of the park. Looked crestfallen when Damsgaard's cross took a freak deflection off him and went past Grbic into the far corner but there was no blame whatsoever to be attached to him after he bust a gut to get back in the first place and attempt to cut out the cross
8. Ben Osborn 6
A typically industrious display from Osborn with a sprinkling of invention too, including a good spot to see Flekken off his line before he attempted to volley past him and saw his effort blocked. Finished the game at left wing-back after Larouci made way