Sheffield United left it late to claim a huge three points from a frantic game on the south coast against struggling Portsmouth. The home side saw a number of chances go begging in the first half and were then made to pay when Andre Brooks touched home at the back post late on.
United earlier hit the post through Gus Hamer but Pompey will rue their own big moments that went amiss before Brooks came up with the decisive touch to get United back to winning ways at the first attempt after defeat on Monday to Boro.
Here’s how we rated the Blades at Fratton Park
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1. Sheffield United Player Ratings v Portsmouth
Sheffield United Player Ratings v Portsmouth | UGC
2. Michael Cooper 7
The most worked of the two goalkeepers for the most part of the game but for all Pompey's half-chances, the United 'keeper didn't make any saves you wouldn't have really expected of someone of his quality. There was a smart save as the ball swerved wickedly and he had to be strong and commanding on the numerous occasions that Pompey loaded the ball into the United box. Made a big save late on as well to help the Blades see out a vital three points with a huge clean sheet | UGC Photo: UGC
3. Femi Seriki 5
He's been one of United's key men this season down the right but he had a real tough time of it down the right in the first half, with the very lively Alli giving him all sorts of problems and looking to exploit the space inexplicably offered him by the United man. He will have been a relieved man when his attempted header bounced fortuitously for Alli but Cooper was equal to the shot, before he was robbed of the ball in a dangerous position and Cooper had to be alert to palm away a ball swirling wickedly through the south coast air, Made way later on for Hoever after suffering a dead leg | UGC Photo: UGC
4. Japhet Tanganga 6
Battled diligently against Bishop and the likes of Alli for the cause, despite an injury scare in the first half which saw him down on the turf for quite a while before he eventually got up and carried on after treatment | UGC Photo: UGC