Norwich City boss reveals his team's big mistake against Sheffield United

Although Farke noted his side had enjoyed more possession, more attempts and more shots on target during the game, he acknowledged the “only statistic that really matters” is the “final scoreline.”

Attributing United’s success to Chris Wilder’s strategy of combining attacking wing-backs with overlapping centre-halves - defender George Baldock’s decoy run creating the time and space for midfielder John Lundstram to cross for Sharp to score - Farke said: “Both teams had their periods and we could have taken the lead.

“Then, they tried to put pressure on us by putting crosses in and we did what you can’t do against Sheffield United, because we let them put the overload on. This is what happened and that is when we conceded.”

Lamenting Teemu Pukki’s failure to convert an earlier chance, but not laying the blame for Norwich’s defeat at the Finn’s door, Farke conceded it could “maybe require a miracle” for the visitors to avoid relegation only a season after gaining promotion from the Championship alongside United.

“Performance wise, if I’m honest, I can’t ask for more,” he said. “They gave everything.

“Statistically, we were on top in every topic. But the only statistics that count are the goals and the effectiveness.”