A touch of class from goalkeeper Michael Cooper helped Sheffield United keep their unbeaten start to the season going at Portsmouth this afternoon. This was a classic Championship fixture with both sides going at each other, with home goalkeeper Will Norris making a superb save earlier in the first half to keep out Gus Hamer’s header right on the line.
Pompey almost went ahead with the final touch of the half as Marlon Pack’s curling free-kick came through a crowd of bodies and arrowed towards the top corner, but Cooper excelled to tip it over and keep the score goalless. There was another post-match melee that may cost the Blades another few quid in fines from the FA - but here’s how we rated United’s players on the day from Fratton Park...
1. Michael Cooper 6.5
Difficult to rate him any higher as he didn't have a save to make - until the closing stages as he did well to keep out a dangerous curling free-kick - as he churned out another clean sheet. Normally so composed on the ball but even he wasn't immune to United's slow start as he overhit two passes to Shackleton that went sailing over the right-back's head | Sportimage
2. Jamie Shackleton 6
Made his full debut at right-back in place of Gilchrist and put in a performance full of industry. Had a rare first-half chance for United as his left-footed effort was deflected wide before he was replaced by Gilchrist just before the hour mark | Sportimage
3. Harry Souttar 6
Just a little off his usual commanding self in the first half as he was beaten on the deck a couple of times and looked a little tentative. Booked in the second for wiping out his man but superb in the air as ever | Sportimage
4. Anel Ahmedhodzic 6
Looked for periods of the first half like the man most likely to get United going from an attacking perspective as he drove forward from left centre-half but too often that momentum petered out. Otherwise United played too many sideways passes with Burrows finding Ahmedhodzic to his right with real frequency. Had a great chance to put United ahead when he got on the end of Hamer's near-post corner but he put it over, much to boss Wilder's visible frustration on the touchline Photo: George Wood