Sheffield United’s outside play-off hopes took another huge hit this evening as they squandered the lead at Norwich City to lose 2-1. The Blades needed a big result after drawing with struggling West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.
But they couldn’t get it at Carrow Road despite taking the lead through Jairo Riedewald. They then couldn’t re-establish the same dominance after the break and Norwich got back into it through a header from a corner from Jack Stacey, which always looked to be the home side’s most likely route back into the game.
Then late on Amankwah Forson curled home the winner after Femi Seriki was robbed of the ball in midfield, leaving 750 or so hardy Blades with a long journey home and more doubt about where United’s season goes from here.
Here’s how we rated the Blades players on the night....
1. Sheffield United Player Ratings v Norwich City
Sheffield United Player Ratings v Norwich City | UGC
2. Adam Davies 6
Continued between the posts after his unexpected chance following Cooper's injury and made a couple of decent saves to help keep Norwich at bay, but couldn't really establish any sort of control of his penalty area when the home side pinged some wicked corners into the United box and it was no real surprise when they found a way back into the game from that exact route. Did well late on with a big block to keep United in it | UGC Photo: UGC
3. Femi Seriki 5
Back in the side at the expense of Hoever and had early sight down the right after a great ball from Brooks but his cross was deflected away from Campbell at the back post. He then delivered another great centre into the corridor of uncertainty as Geoffrey called it but unfortunately his biggest contribution to the game was a late moment when he overplayed in midfield and was robbed of the ball, with Norwich taking advantage to seal victory late on. He gets the praise when he does well and will have to take the question marks when things go against him | UGC Photo: UGC
4. Japhet Tanganga 6.5
A very solid defensive display from the United captain, who looked like a man asking questions of those in front of him as to whether they could help their defenders out by getting hold of the ball and giving them a breather during a second-half period when Norwich were relentless in their pressure. He showed great defensive instincts to drop back onto the line and head Kvistgaarden's effort over the bar as it looked to fly past Davies and drag the hosts level, and a brilliant block in the second half prevented the same man dragging his side level | UGC Photo: UGC