The Rams boss has claimed Sheffield United are a ‘top Championship side’ after clinching a draw with ten men at Bramall Lane

Derby County manager John Eustace has called Sheffield United ‘a top Championship team’ in his post-match conference after securing a draw against the Blades at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Derby were the better side in the opening 45 minutes, and took a one-goal lead through Bobby Clark into the half-time break.

United failed to change the direction of the game until Derby defender Dion Sanderson was sent off after being shown a second yellow card.

United boss Chris Wilder immediately made two changes that proved to be effective, bringing on Jordan Ayew and Romelle Donovan to replace Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz, who had failed to affect proceedings.

Patrick Bamford grabbed a scruffy equalier for United but despite the pressure piled on in the latter stages the home side couldn’t find a winner.

At full-time, Eustace admitted it was always going to be an uphill battle playing at Bramall Lane with ten men.

He said: “We limited a physically good top championship team to next to nothing. I think we found the turnover, we played some good football, and we created a fantastic goal. In the second half, we knew we were under a bit of pressure.”

“I felt we downlined that,” he continued. “Just before the red card, we were again creating a few chances. I'm really disappointed not to get all three points, of course.”

The red card saw a dramatic shift in momentum for United, as they put Derby under the cosh for the rest of the match, and will be disappointed that they didn’t snatch the win.

“But the last 25-30 minutes, whatever it was, the way the group defended for their lives, I think we got one defender on the pitch there at one point to go up against a really good physical team. We were going to put the ball in the box and sustain attacks. I was really pleased with the way we defended.”

The Blades had 25 shots, with ten on target come the full-time whistle, leaving them with 2.47 expected goals.

Rams keeper Jacob Zetterstrom made ten saves to keep his side level.

“Today, we bring Jacob back, top goalkeeper, one of the best in the league, and he pulled two fantastic saves off at the end,” Eustace said.