Millwall boss’s verdict on Sheffield United win and Blades’ quality after Bradshaw hat-trick

Millwall boss Gary Rowett spoke of his pride in his players’ performances as a Tom Bradshaw hat-trick sealed a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United and condemned the promotion-chasing Blades to back-to-back defeats.

United were looking to bounce back from a midweek loss to promotion rivals Middlesbrough but returned north licking their wounds despite twice dragging themselves level, through Tommy Doyle and then James McAtee.

Blades player ratings v Millwall after defeat at The Den

Paul Heckingbottom, the United manager, believes his side “gave” Millwall the victory after bemoaning their slow start to the game. And his opposite number Rowett said: “I’d imagine for any neutral they’d see that as a fantastic game.

“For me you can’t help but be proud of the players’ desire and attitude, against a good side like Sheffield United. Everyone talked about how they’ll move the ball and have more possession than us and I thought anyone who’s watched our home games would know it’s not that simple at The Den.

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“We started brilliantly, there was some really good football. Bradders had a good earlier chance and should score and we also had a moment when he got brought down in the box and it wasn’t offside so we should have had a penalty.

“A good side like Sheffield United, although they didn’t have many attempts on our goal, they scored a great free kick and we went in at half-time at 1-1. Then the challenge was how that might affect our players psychologically. But they were brilliant.”

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