Had to be alert early on to punt clear from an underhit backpass and took a risk later on when he came out of his area to challenge Gibbs-White and did just enough to win the ball, when it looked like he had made a rash decision. No chance with Forest’s early goal or their late oneplaceholder image
Had to be alert early on to punt clear from an underhit backpass and took a risk later on when he came out of his area to challenge Gibbs-White and did just enough to win the ball, when it looked like he had made a rash decision. No chance with Forest’s early goal or their late one | AFP via Getty Images

Sheffield United player ratings: Gus Hamer shines in late heartbreak v Nottingham Forest - gallery

Danny Hall
By Danny Hall

Sheffield United reporter

Published 18th Aug 2023, 21:42 GMT

Gus Hamer’s debut stunner proved to be in vain for Sheffield United as they lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground tonight.

Forest scored early and late, in the third minute through Taiwo Awoniyi and the 90th through Chris Wood, with Hamer’s curling effort getting the Blades back on level terms early in the second half.

United had further good chances to go ahead, Benie Traore seeing a one-on-one effort saved well by Matt Turner, but suffered their second defeat in two Premier League matches ahead of next weekend’s meeting with Manchester City.

Here’s how our man rated the Blades players at the City Ground...

Got enough of the ball and a fair bit of Johnson as well with a superb tackle to block the Forest man’s shot as the home side looked to add a second in the first half. Got forward when he could and even got carried away on his return to the City Ground and had an ambitious shot, which flew across the face of goal rather than really threatening it

5. Jack Robinson 6

Got enough of the ball and a fair bit of Johnson as well with a superb tackle to block the Forest man’s shot as the home side looked to add a second in the first half. Got forward when he could and even got carried away on his return to the City Ground and had an ambitious shot, which flew across the face of goal rather than really threatening it | Getty Images

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Had a horror moment early on in his return to the City Ground as he missed his kick clear and seconds later the ball was in United’s net courtesy of Awoniyi’s good header. Had a difficult time up against the lively Johnson and looked to be struggling with some sort of injury issue from midway through the first half, so it wasn’t the biggest surprise when he didn’t appear for the second and was replaced by Larouci

6. Max Lowe 5

Had a horror moment early on in his return to the City Ground as he missed his kick clear and seconds later the ball was in United’s net courtesy of Awoniyi’s good header. Had a difficult time up against the lively Johnson and looked to be struggling with some sort of injury issue from midway through the first half, so it wasn’t the biggest surprise when he didn’t appear for the second and was replaced by Larouci | AFP via Getty Images

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Used the ball very well in tight areas but blotted his copybook a little with one word too many in the ear of ref Peter Bankes, who showed him a yellow card for protesting a decision that went against United. Could and should have had an assist with a pass that sent Traore free after a defensive mix-up but the striker’s effort was saved

7. Ollie Norwood 6

Used the ball very well in tight areas but blotted his copybook a little with one word too many in the ear of ref Peter Bankes, who showed him a yellow card for protesting a decision that went against United. Could and should have had an assist with a pass that sent Traore free after a defensive mix-up but the striker’s effort was saved | Getty Images

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Making his full debut for the Blades and fancied marking it with a goal as he curled an effort from outside the box in the first half, but Turner was equal to it with a diving stop away to his left. Came even closer in the second half with a effort that, judging by his reaction as he slid to his knees in despair, he thought was in. The pace of the game threatened to get the better of him as he went down for treatment and eventually he couldn’t carry on, being replaced by Basham after an impressive showing

8. Vinicius Souza 7

Making his full debut for the Blades and fancied marking it with a goal as he curled an effort from outside the box in the first half, but Turner was equal to it with a diving stop away to his left. Came even closer in the second half with a effort that, judging by his reaction as he slid to his knees in despair, he thought was in. The pace of the game threatened to get the better of him as he went down for treatment and eventually he couldn’t carry on, being replaced by Basham after an impressive showing | Getty Images

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