Sheffield United overcame some more pre-season profligacy to continue their unbeaten friendly run with a 2-0 win at Rotherham United this afternoon. The Blades created a number of chances in the first half and could have gone into the break at least three or four ahead.
But they took until just before the whistle to go ahead through Tahith Chong, who scored his second in as many games to stake a claim for involvement when the season begins for real.
Callum O’Hare added a second in the second half from long range after letting fly while at the other end, goalkeeper Michael Cooper had to make a couple of smart saves to keep out Jamie Jellis and Aaron Nemane.
Here’s how we rated United’s players in their latest pre-season test as the new season draws ever closer...
1. Michael Cooper 7
To say United dominated both possession and chances it was Cooper who had to make the two standout saves of the game, first denying Jellis at the back post to keep the score level at 0-0 after a cross had somehow found its way past two defenders and into the path of the Millers man. Later on came an even better one when Nemane's effort was deflected off Seriki and looked like it would loop under the United bar, before Cooper did brilliantly to get a fingertip to it and deflect it onto the bar. Finished the game with the armband around his bicep after Tanganga went off | Sportimage
2. Femi Seriki 6
A solid enough display down the right from Seriki, who tried to get forward as often as he could but to my eye found himself making the sort of runs that would have been found by Brooks, with his partnership with Chong instead understandably developing. Made way with 20 or so to go to give Doherty a Blades debut | Eleanor Freeman/SUFC
3. Japhet Tanganga 6
Another decent enough showing from the United skipper, who should have done better aerially from a couple of United corners and will have been a mighty relieved man to see his partner Baptiste tidy up behind him after an early loose touch let in Tavares down the Millers left. Made way for McGuinness later on | Sportimage
4. Jamal Baptiste 7
The defender went into pre-season with the challenge of taking the opportunity presented to him and no-one in the United end will surely deny that he did that again here with another mature and composed display. He was strong, holding off the Millers forwards at ease and showing just enough nous to unbalance Nemane as he looked to race through on goal. He was composed on the ball as well as tenacious in the tackle and carried it forward a couple of times as well, helping to drive United up the pitch as the Millers dropped off. Impressive | Sportimage