Sheffield United rounded off a crucial three-game week with only their second point as they came from behind to draw at Birmingham City this afternoon, despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men. The game turned midway through the first half when Femi Seriki was sent off.
To compound United’s frustration the Blues then went ahead from the resulting free-kick but United didn’t cave and dragged themselves level on the stroke of half-time, when the returning Patrick Bamford rounded James Beadle to score.
The Blades could have levelled earlier had Sydie Peck converted a bizarre penalty conceded by ex-Blade Jack Robinson while the home side hit the woodwork four times in a clash full of incident, if not goals.
Here’s how we rated the Blades at St. Andrew’s...
1. Adam Davies 6
His goal led a charmed life at times, with the home side hitting the woodwork four times throughout the afternoon, but he had no chance with the goal that flew past him and was generally tidy apart from that, even if he doesn't inspire the greatest confidence when the ball comes into the United box from crosses and set-pieces | UGC Photo: UGC
2. Femi Seriki 4
Kept his place at right-back despite his costly mistake in the midweek defeat at Norwich and his nightmare few days continued as he was sent for an early bath here at Birmingham. There's no doubt he gave away the foul as he felled Osman who was looking to break away but the doubt was over whether it was an obvious goalscoring opportunity, with Bindon in very close proximity and most likely snuffing out the danger if Osman was allowed to break away. But ref Robinson didn't agree and showed Seriki the red card that the home side were baying for, putting United on the back foot even before they conceded from the resulting free-kick | UGC Photo: UGC
3. Japhet Tanganga 8
Superb. The United skipper headed, booted or just willed away almost everything that came into the United box after the Blades went a goal and a man down, with an important early block deflecting Osman's goalbound effort onto the outside of Davies' right-hand post. He then almost set up the equaliser when his header back across goal was met by Bamford, whose effort was well saved by Beadle down to his right. Bizarrely booked for one of the cleanest tackles you'll ever see on Roberts but that didn't dampen his combativeness | UGC Photo: UGC
4. Tyler Bindon 8
Another very impressive defensive display from the United loanee, who plays with a maturity well beyond his tender years and will surely go on to have a good career if he carries on progressing at the current rate. There was a first half moment when he was under a long ball and pressure from Stansfield but he simply eased the Birmingham man out of the way and took it down on his chest when so many other players woiuld have panicked and hacked it anywhere. He even forayed forward later on in the style of another player who previously wore than No.6 shirt, even if his cross was deflected into the arms of Beadle | UGC Photo: UGC