Yet another case of what might have been as Sheffield United draw with Fulham

But Chris Wilder, he United manager, was once again left with a nagging sense of what might have been after seeing his team pass-up the chance to build a healthy lead before the break - later relying on substitute Billy Sharp’s 85th minute penalty to draw them level following Ademola Lookman’s opener.

Scott Parker, Wilder’s opposite number, also had the look of someone who knew a prize much bigger than a first point of the Premier League season had just escaped him when the final whistle blew. The usually clinical Aleksander Mitrovic failed to bring his shooting boots - blazing over from the spot and spurning several more good openings as well as committing the foul which threw the hosts, who introduced new record signing Rhian Brewster just past the hour mark.

The balance of power during the first-half ebbed, flowed and then swung decisively in United’s direction, with the visitors discovering their passing rhythm quicker before Wilder’s men seized control thanks to some great tenacity.

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There were moments of real quality within the maelstrom too, with Sander Berge doing well to instigate the move which ended with Oli Mc Burnie drawing a superb save from Alphonse Areola and John Lundstram sending Enda Stevens scampering through, before the Republic of Ireland international, reverting to his preferred wing-back role following Max Lowe’s early injury, shot straight at the Fulham goalkeeper.

The only trouble was, for all United’s greater purpose and conviction, particularly as the opening period progressed, it failed to yield a breakthrough with a Lundstram strike just before the interval being disallowed for offside.

Brewster was introduced after Mitrovic had fluffed his lines from the spot early in the second, after substitute Jack Robinson had handled the ball. Robinson, on for the injured Max Lowe, redeemed his mistake by producing a fine block to stop a Fulham attack in its tracks moments later.

The match belonged to the Londoners after the break, despite the potentially debilitating effect of Mitrovic’s miss. With 12 minutes remaining, Lookman produced the breakthrough - teasing his way into position before blasting home beyond Ramsdale, albeit after benefiting from a piece of good fortune when the ball bounced off Chris Basham. But Sharp drew United level when they were awarded a penalty of their own, following Mitrovic’s high challenge on Robinson.

Referee Andre Marriner gave the decision after reviewing footage of the incident on a pitchside monitor.

Sheffield United: Ramsdale, Basham (Sharp 81), Egan, Stevens, Baldock, Lowe (J Robinson 19), Berge, Norwood, Lundstram, McBurnie, McGoldrick (Brewster 63). Not used: Verrips, Burke, Ampadu, Osborn.

Fulham: Areola, Mitrovic, Cairney, Ream, Loftus-Cheek (Lemina 80), Adarabioyo, Cavaleiro, Lookman, Anguissa, A Robinson, Aina. Not used: Rodak, Kebano, Decordova-Reid, Le Marchand, Bryan, Kamara.

Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands). VAR: Martin Atkinson.