His hopes of a third successive clean sheet to start the season were dashed inside the first two minutes and although no goalkeeper likes to get beaten at his near post, Moylan's effort did go through a few bodies before flying past Cooper and he did redeem himself a little with a smart save down to his right just minutes later, after the Blades had equalised. He followed it up with two or three more before the break, including a stunner as Bagan looked to find the top corner, but was eventually beaten again when Ashford stuck away the follow up. But when he was called up on after that he did what was needed of him, to help see out the result despite a below-par Blades display for the collective placeholder image
His hopes of a third successive clean sheet to start the season were dashed inside the first two minutes and although no goalkeeper likes to get beaten at his near post, Moylan's effort did go through a few bodies before flying past Cooper and he did redeem himself a little with a smart save down to his right just minutes later, after the Blades had equalised. He followed it up with two or three more before the break, including a stunner as Bagan looked to find the top corner, but was eventually beaten again when Ashford stuck away the follow up. But when he was called up on after that he did what was needed of him, to help see out the result despite a below-par Blades display for the collective | The Star/Sport image

Sheffield United player ratings v Cardiff City as 6/10 men lead the way but others struggle in breathless draw

Danny Hall
By Danny Hall

Sheffield United reporter

Published 29th Aug 2026, 16:52 GMT

Sheffield United player ratings v Cardiff City as 6/10 men lead the way but others struggle in breathless draw

Sheffield United found themselves 2-1 up within eight minutes at Cardiff City this afternoon but ultimately hung on for a point after a breathless Championship contest. The Blades were 1-0 down inside two minutes when Jack Moylan fired home.

But Tom Cannon’s penalty and Callum O’Hare’s smart finish put them ahead, even if they couldn’t hold out until half-time as Cian Ashford levelled. Michael Cooper was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers and Cardiff hit the bar late on as they pushed for the winner they will feel they deserved.

But United defended resolutely in the face of such pressure, with City finishing with nearly 30 shots at goal, and had chances to win it themselves as they registered a third draw in three Championship games.

Here’s how we rated United’s players in South Wales ...

Had a similarly tough time of it on the left as Baptiste on the right, with the lively Tanner keeping him honest and looking to push him back whenever possible. There were a couple of bits of proper defending when Tanner looked to get in behind but a few where the City man got the better of the duel as well. Ended the game on the left of United's back three with Norrington-Davies' introduction

5. Sam McCallum 4.5

Had a similarly tough time of it on the left as Baptiste on the right, with the lively Tanner keeping him honest and looking to push him back whenever possible. There were a couple of bits of proper defending when Tanner looked to get in behind but a few where the City man got the better of the duel as well. Ended the game on the left of United's back three with Norrington-Davies' introduction | The Star/Sport Image

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None of United's midfielders could really get to grips with the game and gave the ball away uncharacteristically untold times, leaving United struggling to really get a foothold in the game after a breathless start. Made way just after the hour for Riedewald

6. Joe Rothwell 4.5

None of United's midfielders could really get to grips with the game and gave the ball away uncharacteristically untold times, leaving United struggling to really get a foothold in the game after a breathless start. Made way just after the hour for Riedewald | The Star/Sport Image

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Didn't look his normal composed self as the frantic game unfolded right from the first whistle and maybe he and Rothwell got caught up in that a little as they struggled to make the ball stick in the middle of the park and let United settle into the game. Booked in the second half, much to his bemusement, before a late air shot which left him on the ground, head in hands, rather summed up a poor afternoon in South Wales from his personal point of view

7. Sydie Peck 4

Didn't look his normal composed self as the frantic game unfolded right from the first whistle and maybe he and Rothwell got caught up in that a little as they struggled to make the ball stick in the middle of the park and let United settle into the game. Booked in the second half, much to his bemusement, before a late air shot which left him on the ground, head in hands, rather summed up a poor afternoon in South Wales from his personal point of view | The Star/Sport Image

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Fresh from an impressive showing at Blackburn in midweek there were some flashes from the young man but overall he couldn't replicate that influence, with an inexperienced right-hand side being targeted by City as a potential area they could exploit. Made way at the break for Shackleton

8. Romelle Donovan 5

Fresh from an impressive showing at Blackburn in midweek there were some flashes from the young man but overall he couldn't replicate that influence, with an inexperienced right-hand side being targeted by City as a potential area they could exploit. Made way at the break for Shackleton | The Star/Sport Image

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