Sheffield United squandered the chance to put some more pressure on the teams around them in the race for the top six as they were pegged back by struggling West Bromwich Albion at Bramall Lane.
Both teams struggled to establish any sort of control in a first 45 minutes completely devoid of any real quality, save for an Andre Brooks effort that fizzed past the post. But United broke the deadlock when George Campbell turned Gus Hamer’s cross into his own net.
United had chances to go on and put the game to bed but they couldn’t and then paid the price seven minutes from time when Campbell redeemed himself by smashing in a long-range equaliser.
Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players on an afternoon of frustration at Bramall Lane...
5. Harrison Burrows 5
A solid rather than spectacular display down the left from Burrows, who tried to offer a threat down the left when he could but so often saw his crosses into the box repelled by the amassed Albion defenders. Defensively he was sound enough as well, repelling the Albion danger a few times as the ball was launched into the Blades box | UGC Photo: UGC
6. Sydie Peck 6
For all the lack of quality in the first half I felt United's two central midfielders were good for the most part, although Peck was in the wrong place at the wrong time to inadvertently block O'Hare's well-struck volley which hit him somewhere around the midriff area rather than the back of the Blades net. Almost made amends when he ghosted into space in the box and was picked out by Hamer's cross, but he couldn't get enough on it and flicked it wide of the far post | UGC Photo: UGC
7. Jairo Riedewald 7
The experienced Dutchman was by some way the most composed player on the field for the most part but the game even managed to drag him down to its level on a couple of occasions, as he slightly mistimed a tackle to allow Dike to send Price clear and then couldn't do quite enough to stop Price getting by him and crossing into the United box. But in the first half especially he was the heartbeat of United as he tried to get the game going, taking the ball from deep and looking to get his side a bit of momentum. For me he was one of the best players on the pitch and earned a deserving standing ovation when he made way for Rothwell with 20 or so to go | UGC Photo: UGC
8. Andre Brooks 7
Back in the side after being rested with a slight knock at QPR, Brooks almost marked his return with the opening goal as he let fly on his weaker right foot and watched it fly inches - if that - wide of the far post. There was also a nice moment when he ghosted past two Albion defenders before being snuffed out and showed good awareness to pick out Bamford for another chance before the break, linking up nicely with Hamer to set up O'Hare in the second. | UGC Photo: UGC