By far the busiest of the two goalkeepers in the opening stages of the game, making two smart saves at his near post to keep out Isidor and then Mayenda, before being beaten by Mayenda and Isidor before the break - although neither were attributable to the goalkeeper with those in front of him leaving him exposed. Made some more big stops after the break to keep United in the hunt placeholder image
By far the busiest of the two goalkeepers in the opening stages of the game, making two smart saves at his near post to keep out Isidor and then Mayenda, before being beaten by Mayenda and Isidor before the break - although neither were attributable to the goalkeeper with those in front of him leaving him exposed. Made some more big stops after the break to keep United in the hunt

Sheffield United player ratings gallery from self-inflicted Sunderland defeat as Leeds, Burnley seize advantage

Danny Hall
By Danny Hall

Football writer

Published 1st Jan 2025, 21:55 GMT

Sheffield United player ratings gallery from Sunderland defeat as Blades fall out of automatic promotion spots

Sheffield United fell to third in the Championship table after shooting themselves in the foot twice in defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Blades missed an early penalty through Kieffer Moore which would have put them ahead before mistakes from Jack Robinson and Sydie Peck, either side of Luke O’Nien’s own goal, put Sunderland in front.

The Blades had a go from there, with sub Andre Brooks testing Anthony Patterson’s handling with a well-struck shot on the volley, but United ended a tough period of games against Burnley, West Brom and the Black Cats with just one point out of a possible nine, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Watford.

Here’s how we rated United’s players on the evening... who was your star man for the Blades?

Back in the side from the start with Burrows dropping to the bench and then switched to right-back after Burrows came on. Decent in both positions without anything spectacular before Norrington-Davies replaced him with just over 10 to go

5. Sam McCallum 5.5

Back in the side from the start with Burrows dropping to the bench and then switched to right-back after Burrows came on. Decent in both positions without anything spectacular before Norrington-Davies replaced him with just over 10 to go Photo: Owen Humphreys

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Saw plenty of the ball in the first half - the joint-most touches alongside Robinson, with 54 - but one of them didn't release the ball quick enough in midfield and Sunderland took advantage, with Isidor converting just moments later for 2-1. To his credit he didn't seem to let his head drop before he made way later on for Brooks

6. Sydie Peck 5

Saw plenty of the ball in the first half - the joint-most touches alongside Robinson, with 54 - but one of them didn't release the ball quick enough in midfield and Sunderland took advantage, with Isidor converting just moments later for 2-1. To his credit he didn't seem to let his head drop before he made way later on for Brooks | PA

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Had a good battle with Bellingham in the middle of the park and showed some good moments running from deep and spraying passes, even if not all of them reached their intended targets. With O'Hare out wide it seemed to be Davies that was often leading the press and he kept battling right until the end in another great effort physically

7. Tom Davies 6.5

Had a good battle with Bellingham in the middle of the park and showed some good moments running from deep and spraying passes, even if not all of them reached their intended targets. With O'Hare out wide it seemed to be Davies that was often leading the press and he kept battling right until the end in another great effort physically Photo: Simon Bellis

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Forced out wide by Brewster's inclusion but still looked busy, looking to wriggle free of his marker at any opportunity and was never shy to try a little flick with the ball, whether it was on or not. Went to the left after Brooks' introduction gave United a bit more width before he was replaced by One with just over 10 to go

8. Callum O'Hare 6

Forced out wide by Brewster's inclusion but still looked busy, looking to wriggle free of his marker at any opportunity and was never shy to try a little flick with the ball, whether it was on or not. Went to the left after Brooks' introduction gave United a bit more width before he was replaced by One with just over 10 to go Photo: Nick Potts

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