Peterborough 1 Sheffield United 2: Blades earn first win as Davies fires home

Davies, 33, drilled home from outside the box, to secure United’s first victory after losing their first two games of the campaign. The visitors had to withstand some pressure from Peterborough before they took the lead in the 25th minute.

Conor Washington was proving a threat for the hosts and he twice went close, while Jon Taylor rapped an angled drive against the outside of a post.

It was a clinical finish which fired Nigel Clough’s side into the lead. Jose Baxter took a pass from Marc McNulty before lashing home his first goal of the season beyond goalkeeper Ben Alnwick. The Blades’ lead only lasted nine minutes, however.

Shaun Brisley made it 1-1 when he rose highest to head home Taylor’s in-swinging corner-kick.

Baxter almost restored the visitors’ lead, but his low drive flew just past the post.

Peterborough upped the tempo immediately after the restart, with Kgosi Ntihe and Kyle Vassell both going close.

The Blades weathered the storm and Chris Basham had the ball in the back of Peterborough’s net, but an earlier foul meant the ‘goal’ was ruled out.

Peterborough: Alnwick, Brisley, Smith, Almeida Santos (Burgess 62), Ntihe (Ferdinand 75), Taylor (Barnett 70), Payne, Anderson, Mendez-Laing, Vassell, Washington. Unused substitutes: McCann, Day, Newell, Anderson.

Sheff Utd: Howard, McEveley, McGahey, Collins, Alcock, Davies, Doyle, Murphy, Basham, McNulty (Higdon 71), Baxter (Flynn 83). Unused substitutes: Harris, Butler, Campbell-Ryce, Reed, Turner.

Referee: S Duncan (Northumberland).