Leeds United 2 Sheffield United 1 - player ratings

Chief football writer Stuart Rayner does some man-marking on the two sides.

Leeds United

Illan Meslier – very little to do with Ben Osborn's goal the Blades' only shot on target 6

Luke Ayling – solid and centre-back and as usual when he plays there, unafraid to get forward 7

Diego Llorente – one pass drew “oohs” from the director's box when it just failed to sneak through 6

Liam Cooper – coped comfortably with what as thrown at him 6

Stuart Dallas – starting at right wing-back this week, he skimmed the woodwork with an effort 7

Kalvin Phillips – classy as ever 7

Ezgjan Alioski – got forward to good effect in the second half 7

Raphinha – a quality performer 7

Tyler Roberts – a good performance from the Welshman, who showed his bravery making a good chance for Jack Harrison 7

Jack Harrison – scored one, made one, and good easily have had more 8

Patrick Bamford – more than played his part in Leeds's clever build-up play before making way 7.

Substitutes:

Rodrigo (for Bamford, 65) – came on at centre-forward and forced an Aaron Ramsdale save 6

Mateusz Klich (for Roberts, 82) – N/A

Robin Koch (for Dallas, 90) – N/A.

Not used: Casilla, Poveda, Costa, Hernandez, Struijk, Shackleton.

Sheffield United

Aaron Ramsdale – made some good saves, most notably with his ankle from Harrison 7

Jayden Bogle – went off after a smash to the face in the second half 6

George Baldock – eventually came off as a result of his hefty challenge on Roberts but the Blades were perhaps fortunate he did not come off straight away, with a red card 4

Phil Jagielka – his own goal ultimately decided the game 5

Enda Stevens – lost possession a couple of times 5

Ben Osborn – got the Blades back into it with his goal at the end of the first half 7

John Lundstram – finished the game at wing-back but pushed hard even for an equaliser though he is running his contract down 6

Oliver Norwood – the game passed him by, though he was far from alone in that 5

John Fleck – never gave up the fight 6

David McGoldrick – tried his best to confuse matters with his movement but curled a chance wide in the first half 6

Oli McBurnie – had little impact but was little to work off too 6.

Substitutes:

Ethan Ampadu (for Baldock, 45) – the concussion substitute had one terrific challenge on Bamford 7

Oliver Burke (for Norwood, 65) – had a shot go close as the Blades threw caution to the win late on 6

Rhian Brewster (for Bogle, 73) – thumped a shot wide late on 6

John Egan (for McBurnie, 77) – Sheffield United would have preferred not to use him on his return from injury 6.

Not used: Mousset, Lowe, Foderingham, Bryan, Ndiaye.

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