Norwich City 1-1 Sheffield United: Blades come from behind to extend unbeaten run | OneFootball

Sheffield United secured a point against Norwich City at Carrow Road after going a goal down.

Norwich took the lead in the first half when Josh Sargent raced in behind United’s back line and slotted home under the onrushing Michael Cooper. The Blades later probed an opening when Andre Brooks fired a low cross which deflected out to Oli Arblaster on the edge of the box and he pelted the ball into the bottom right corner.

Michael Cooper was handed his debut while Anel Ahmedhodzic was replaced by Harry Souttar, who was ill. Captain Jack Robinson missed out with a groin injury.

Lineups

Norwich: Gunn, Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Sainz, Sargent, Chrisene, Crnac (Hernandez 87), Forson (Gibbs 53), McLean, Nunez.

Unused: Long, Hanley, Cordoba, Fisher, Hills, Forsyth, Myles.

Blades: Cooper, Gilchrist (Sachdev 90), Arblaster, Trusty, Souttar, Hamer (Campbell 87), Moore, O’ Hare (Rak-Sakyi 70), Burrows, Souza, Brooks (Slimane 70).

Unused: A. Davies, McCallum, Brewster, Norrington-Davies, Peck.

First half

The Blades could’ve broken the deadlock inside the opening few minutes when a cross from Brooks was met by Moore but the Norwich keeper dealt with it well. It was Burrows’ turn to provide a teasing ball this time from a corner as Souttar failed to get his effort on target.

The home team had their first chance at the seventh minute when Crnac sent a pass across the six-yard box, narrowly missing Sargent, who was ready to pounce.

The game remained lively, with Gustavo Hamer’s free-kick deflecting off a Norwich player and going just wide, while Moore directed a Burrows cross down into Gunn’s hands.

Norwich took the lead in the 22nd minute. Forson expertly flicked the ball into Josh Sargent’s path, allowing him to break free and calmly slot it past Cooper.

After the goal, Burrows appealed for a penalty, claiming his cross had struck Duffy’s hand. Duffy was then booked for a foul on O’Hare, and a minute later, Forson also received a yellow card.

Sheffield United responded well and deservedly equalised. Brooks made a strong run down the right, drawing defenders in, and when his cross was deflected, Oli Arblaster was quick to seize the opportunity, firing a brilliant left-footed shot past Gunn from the edge of the box.

United continued to press after levelling the score, with Moore’s cross finding Brooks, whose shot was blocked by several Norwich defenders.

Souza was shown a yellow card for what seemed to be a good tackle five minutes before halftime.

In the final moments of an exciting first half, Sargent’s header from eight yards out forced a save from the debutant Cooper.

Second half

The second half took a while to get going as some scrappy moments started to creep in and Hamer had a long range strike sail way over the bar. Moments later, Burrows drilled a shot from distance which had to be palmed away by Gunn.

With roughly 20 minutes to go Sheffield United made changes: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi replaced Andre Brooks, Anis Slimane replaced Callum O’Hare. Rak-Sakyi almost made an instant impact when he dribbled at the Norwich defenders and attempted to curl one into the far corner but it flew over the bar.

Gunn was needed to deal with Hamer’s set piece, and shortly after he was subbed off for a debuting Tyrese Campbell. Sai Sachdev would replace the Man of The Match Alfie Gilchrist in stoppage time.

Neither side did enough to claim all three points but the Blades remain undefeated as they get ready for a short trip to Barnsley in the Carabao Cup and then a home a fixture against Watford next Sunday.