Gus Hamer showed a touch of class to settle Sheffield United’s tight clash against Derby County, and then another in the celebration as he paid tribute to late Blades legend Maddy Cusack. The former women’s player and staff member passed away a year ago yesterday and Hamer unveiled a MC 8 message underneath his shirt after a superb free-kick gave United three more precious points.
The Blades were rocked by a big injury blow to Oliver Arblaster on the eve of the game but overcame that and some frustrating tactics from the away side to eat away the minutes to register their third successive win and keep their unbeaten Championship start going. Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players...
9. Callum O'Hare 6
His first half display was probably his poorest 45 minutes in a United shirt as he struggled with even the fundamentals and his touch, normally so assured, uncharacteristically let him down. If it had been better he could have put United ahead much earlier after being picked out in space in the Derby box, before more poor control in the lead-up to Souza's first booking. Did look slightly more like himself in the second half but still not an afternoon he'll look back on too fondly. Replaced by Brewster | Sportimage
10. Gus Hamer 8.5
Surely up there with the best players in the Championship. Had the Blades' best chance of a frustrating first half when he skipped into space and curled a dangerous shot that was arching inside the far post before Zetterstrom got down and pushed it behind. Won the free-kick for the Blades' first goal with a great driving run that drew the foul from former teammate Osborn and then dispatched it into the top corner, paying tribute to the late Maddy Cusack in his celebration a year and a day after her passing. A touch of class with the goal and the aftermath Photo: Nathan Stirk
11. Kieffer Moore 6
Used his physical presence well to occupy Derby's centre-halves but a mixed bag on the ball, going down the left channel a couple of times and almost picking out O'Hare with one cross and then ballooning another one across goal and out of play on the far side. Another display that will probably divide the fanbase - one where he looked a threat in some parts but then was wasteful in others. Had a great chance to send Peck free in injury time but he hesitated and went wide instead and the chance for a comfortable second went begging | Sportimage
12. Subs: Femi Seriki 7
It's rare for a sub to get such a high rating but he was impressive. Replaced Gilchrist and put in a real impressive cameo performance, looking really dangerous as he bombed forward at will with his pace and then showing superb defensive abilities to snuff out a potential one-on-one chance for Derby to get back into it. Also used: Brooks, Brewster, McCallum, Norrington-Davies | Sportimage