Patrick Bamford's touch of class makes the difference in Sheffield United-Leeds United tussle dominated by goalkeepers

With two goalkeepers in magnificent form, it looked like the first top-flight game between Sheffield United and Leeds United might end scoreless, but Patrick Bamford's brilliant cushioned header ensured it followed the script.
WINNER: Patrick Bamford beats Aaron RamsdaleWINNER: Patrick Bamford beats Aaron Ramsdale
WINNER: Patrick Bamford beats Aaron Ramsdale

Matches between Chris Wilder and Marcelo Bielsa, who clasped hands and gave one another a thumbs-up before kick-off have all finished 1-0 to the away side.

A third goal in as many games for Bamford – a centre-forward not supposed to be able to score goals at Premier League level secured back-to-back victories for Leeds, and left Sheffield United still looking for theirs.

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They had played well in an absorbing game, and Wilder's programme notes were a fair description of his side's afternoon.

“There's nothing wrong with the attitude, belief and desire and it has been small margins that have cost us,” he wrote.

With centre-back Jack O'Connell in danger of missing the rest of the season through injury, Sheffield United cannot catch a break at the moment. The potency of Bamford means Leeds are getting what they deserve.

The Blades are still looking for their first league goal and points of the season thanks to the brilliance of Illan Mesler, but Aaron Ramsdale had to be on top of his game between the opposite posts too.

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A patient and prolonged spell of passing football midway through the first half was a signal that two fluid teams had found the right balance between intensity and composure. Even without supporters, the opening quarter had been as frantic as derbies usually are.

Leeds eagerness to get going was evident from the off, Mateusz Klich and Tyler Roberts dashing into Sheffield United's half at the first whistle before remembering they were supposed to take a knee.

Luke Ayling forced a low save from Ramsdale after five minutes, twisting Ben Osborn – chosen ahead of unused substitute John Fleck – before firing in a shot.

Roberts for Rodrigo was the only personnel change from the Whites after their victory over Fulham but Ayling's role was different, right of a back three as Bielsa responded to the Blades' front two with something approaching a 3-1-3-3 formation.

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Jack Harrison was their strong point early in the half, but Ayling's side became the weak spot. John Lundstram ought to have finished a cross from that side, which Oliver Burke regularly peeled out to when a good advantage for Kalvin Phillips's foul on David McGoldrick allowed the Scot to deliver.

Both sets of players shifted around cleverly, and the concerted pressure the Blades applied midway through featured an excellent pass from right-sided central defender Chris Basham popping up in the inside-left channel.

Leeds responded with the first of two good Patrick Bamford headers over, and Klich's deflected shot.

The hosts should have scored their first goal of the season in the 29th minute when Ayling beat Osborn but then lost the ball, allowing the latter to get in behind him. His cross found Lundstram, arriving late as usual, who seemed certain to score until Meslier, criticised in some quarters after conceding seven times in his first two Premier League games, pulled off an incredible low save.

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Ayling was dispossessed again after 34 minutes, by Burke, only for Liam Cooper, on his 200th Leeds appearance, to weigh in with a hefty block.

The goalkeepers were fast becoming the highlight of the game with Ramsdale forced into a flying save by Stuart Dallas's outside-of-the-boot shot after a one-two with Harrison.

George Baldock forced another very good save from Meslier after his excellent turn onto Osborn's pass.

With Sheffield United defending deep, the game became more stretched in the second half and Dallas, on the left-hand side of a midfield three. Oliver Norwood came off the bench so that Sander Berge could move right to try to deal with him, but generally the substitutions by both sides were positive and effective – at least until impressive half-time replacement Rodrigo was himself brought off for the mire defensive Ezgjan Alioski to see out stoppage time.

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Meslier started the second half with another good save from Helder Costa's volley, and Ramsdale kept out less spectacular efforts from Klich and Bamford. Enda Stevens was denied by Meslier.

Despite its high entertainment levels, the game was starting to have 0-0 written all over it, particularly when a slip by O'Connell's deputy Robinson just after the hour let in the increasingly influential Dallas, who finally beat Ramsdale. Basham calmly got back to clear off the line.

Rodrigo linked midfield and attack well after replacing the ineffective Roberts at half-time, but thumped his header wide from a Dallas cross.

When Bamford and substitute Ian Poveda broke from a Blades corner, Ramsdale thwarted the latter.

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As he often does, Wilder changed his strikers and Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp made their team more threatening, but McBurnie had his head in his hands after failing to score with a diving header at a corner and when Sharp beautifully plucked a pass out of the sky, beating Meslier was just too difficult.

With full-time fast approaching, it looked like honours would be even. Bamford had other ideas.

Sheffield United: Ramsdale; Basham, Ampadu, Robinson; Baldock, Lundstram (Norwood 64), Berge, Osborn, Stevens; McGoldrick (McBurnie 75), Burke (Sharp 75).

Not used: Fleck, Lowe, Jagielka, Foderingham.

Leeds United: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Costa (Poveda 66), Klich, Roberts (Rodrigo 46 (Alioski 90)), Harrison; Bamford.

Not used: Caprile, Struijk, Davis, Shackleton.

Referee: P Tierney (Wigan).

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