Sydie Peck scored a goal and made another as Sheffield United got back to winning ways at the first attempt at Blackburn Rovers this evening. The Blades suffered their first defeat of the season at home to Norwich City at the weekend.
But they responded with plenty of character at Ewood Park, even if their play was far from free-flowing for the most part. They had to come from behind as well after Kristi Montgomery gave the home side the lead with a fine finish.
Peck was robbed of the ball for that goal but made amends with an assist for Tom Cannon, scoring at Ewood for the second time in two weeks, and then a goal of his own, a fine left-footed strike.
The Blades managed the game well from there although Michael Cooper made two smart saves to keep them ahead, denying Todd Cantwell and Jayden Fevrier.
Here’s how we rated United’s players on the night...
1. Michael Cooper 8
I'm not sure he'd even touched the ball before he was picking out of his net after Montgomery robbed Peck and curled beautifully into the top corner of Cooper's goal. But he made a fine save at 2-1 to protect United's lead when Cantwell struck well, and another to prevent Fevrier from dragging the home side back on level terms inside the final 10 minutes. Big players come up with big moments and the 'keeper has done that several times already this season | The Star/Sport image
2. Hamza Choudhury 6
A poor decision saw him elect to pass to Peck under pressure after running out of other options and Montgomery took advantage of winning the ball back up high to score. But he was in the right place at the right time once again to block on the line as he did on Saturday - but this time there was no follow-up goal and Choudhury's excellent anticipation kept out Afoloyan's effort which looked for all the world like it would drag the home side level. That was his last touch as he was immediately replaced by Doherty and he didn't seem to be moving all too well as he made his way to the dugout, although that may have just been stiffness as he gets up to speed
3. Japhet Tanganga 6
Booked for a rash tackle just shy of the halfway line, although he was insistent he got the ball but ref Donohue didn't agree | The Star/Sport Image
4. Liam Kitching 6
Good defensive instincts bailed out McCallum after Alebiosu got the better of him down the left, but the centre-half got across to block the cross before a striker could test Cooper. You'd imagine he'll only get stronger in the coming weeks and months | Sheffield United