Sheffield United 0 Leeds United 1 - player ratings

Although there was not a goal until the dying minutes, it was a hugely entertaining game and the lack of scoring owed much to two excellent goalkeeping performances.

Chef football writer Stuart Rayner runs the rule over both sides' players.

Sheffield United

Aaron Ramsdale – did not deserve to be on the losing side 8

Chris Basham – positive as usual and a great pass when he popped up on the left 7

Ethan Ampadu – deputised well for the suspended John Egan 6

Jack Robinson – one meaty tackle from a man who could now have a run in the first team 6

George Baldock – got forward well but one of many frustrated by Illan Meslier 7

John Lundstram – made some good trademark runs but unable to finish them, thanks in one case to a brilliant save. Sacrificed as the Blades tried to deal with Stuart Dallas's growing influence 7

Sander Berge – did a decent defensive job for his team 6

Ben Osborn – very lively in the first half, like his midfield as a whole less effective in the second 7

Enda Stevens – forced one of Meslier's many good saves 7

David McGoldrick – some clever moments but still building up his fitness 7

Oliver Burke – prominent from the left in the first half, less so in the second 7.

Substitutes:

Norwood (for Lundstram, 64) – came on and did a job 6

Sharp (for Burke, 75) – one beautiful touch but no goal 7

McBurnie (for McGoldrick, 75) – he and Sharp lifted their team but unable to convert from a diving header 7.

Not used: Fleck, Lowe, Jagielka, Foderingham.

Leeds United

Illan Meslier – a fantastic performance with his save from Lundstram in particular exceptional 9

Luke Ayling – a weak point at times in the first half, but not after 6

Robin Koch – looked the part at the heart of a three-man defence 7

Liam Cooper – a heroic block on his 200th Leeds appearance 7

Kalvin Phillips – played an intelligent game as usual 7

Mateusz Klich – helped Leeds to take control of the midfield in the second half 7

Tyler Roberts – struggled to make an impact before being withdrawn at half-time 5

Stuart Dallas – outstanding in the second half 8

Helder Costa –effectively a right wing-back, it did not suit him 6

Patrick Bamford – Bielsa judges him on more than goals but he has three in three now 8

Jack Harrison – a real influence early on, the Blades quietened him down only for him to make the winner 7

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Substitutes:

Rodrigo (for Roberts, 46) – linked the play very well but sacrificed once Leeds had a lead to protect 8

Poveda (for Costa, 66) – forced a good save from Ramsdale 7

Alioski (for Rodrigo, 90) – N/A.

Not used: Caprile,, Struijk, Davis, Shackleton.

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James Mitchinson