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Sheffield United squandered the chance to make a real statement in the race for the play-offs as some sloppy defending saw them lose 2-1 to leaders Coventry City at Bramall Lane tonight. The Blades were the better side in the first half and good value for their lead through Harrison Burrows.
But City hit back quickly when Haji Wright shot through a crowd of bodies and past Michael Cooper and Frank Lampard’s side then went ahead when Jack Rudoni ghosted between United’s centre halves and nodded Ephron Mason-Clark’s deflected cross home.
United had two penalty appeals turned down in each half, Seriki going down under Mason-Clark’s challenge in the first before sub Tyrese Campbell was booked for apparent simulation despite replays suggesting contact from defender Bobby Thomas.
Here’s how we rated United’s players on the night...
5. Tyler Bindon 5.5
Had a tough introduction to the game when he was barged over by Wright for a good chance but he recovered with two excellent pieces of defending to prevent Wright racing away and then Sakamoto on the follow-up. He can perhaps be excused for the first Coventry goal as the danger came down the right hand side but Rudoni was able to ghost between him and Tanganga for the second | UGC Photo: UGC
6. Harrison Burrows 8
Buoyed by his derby-day goal on Sunday and looked in the mood again here, testing Rushworth's handling early on with a well-struck effort from the right after his corner was cleared and then recycled to him. He had a volley deflected wide later in the half and then his moment duly arrived early in the second half when he collected a neat pass from Hamer and sidestepped Thomas beautifully before firing home on his right foot, with a deflection off Latibeaudiere wrongfooting Rushworth in front of the Kop. He looks a player transformed by the derby goal and hopefully is getting back to the levels he showed last season | UGC Photo: UGC
7. Sydie Peck 7
A typically energetic display from Peck in the middle of the park, the young man demanding the ball at every opportunity and looking to get United going. He led the way for United in terms of touches of the ball and played his part defensively too with some big clearances, but was also guilty of giving the ball away on occasion as well. But he kept going right until the end | UGC Photo: UGC
8. Djibril Soumare 6
Got the chance to replace the suspended Phillips in midfield after a smart late cameo off the bench against Wednesday last time out and he made a decent start here with a few neat turns under pressure in midfield. But at the same time there were some real cheap concessions of the ball in the middle of the park, a couple of which left boss Wilder fizzing on the touchline as United looked to build up a head of steam. A good driving run down the middle threatened to set up a chance for Bamford, who had just strayed offside, before he inadvertently got a touch on Mason-Clark's cross which somehow sent it over Tanganga in the middle and perfectly onto the head of Rudoni. It was a freak moment that he couldn't really be blamed for and he got a good reception as he made way for the returning Riedewald | UGC Photo: UGC