Sheffield United breathed fresh life into their Premier League survival bid after a battling victory over Brentford at Bramall Lane today, spiced up by a bit of quality from James McAtee. The Manchester City loanee's curling effort was the only goal of the afternoon, curling into Mark Flekken's top corner in the dying moments of the first half.
United could have extended their lead in the second half, Cameron Archer and Anis Slimane amongst those to have gone close, but they also put in a superb defensive rearguard effort to protect goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, who had only a couple of saves to make all game despite Brentford pushing.
Victory wasn't enough to drag United off the bottom of the table but it was an important milestone in Chris Wilder's second tenure and has given those on the terraces and in the dressing room fresh belief that United can survive this season. Here's how we rated the Blades...
Victory wasn't enough to drag United off the bottom of the table but it was an important milestone in Chris Wilder's second tenure and has given those on the terraces and in the dressing room fresh belief that United can survive this season. Here's how we rated the Blades...
![Embodied United's front-foot approach with an early challenge on Lewis-Potter that saw him catch the winger rather than the ball, sending him flying in the air and picking up a yellow card that saw him walking a tightrope for the 75 minutes that followed. But he walked it expertly and barely looked in trouble again after that point](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/09/16/38/GettyImages-1842668761.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Auston Trusty 7.5
Embodied United's front-foot approach with an early challenge on Lewis-Potter that saw him catch the winger rather than the ball, sending him flying in the air and picking up a yellow card that saw him walking a tightrope for the 75 minutes that followed. But he walked it expertly and barely looked in trouble again after that point | Getty Images
![Was perhaps lucky to make half-time after being caught on the ankle/lower leg area by a horror challenge by Frank Onyeka, who somehow survived a red card after a VAR review despite the replays showing the full extent of how dangerous the tackle was. Combative on the challenge but composed on the ball too. Looks to be enjoying his new lease of life under Wilder and Co.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/09/16/49/GettyImages-1835848756.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Vini Souza 7.5
Was perhaps lucky to make half-time after being caught on the ankle/lower leg area by a horror challenge by Frank Onyeka, who somehow survived a red card after a VAR review despite the replays showing the full extent of how dangerous the tackle was. Combative on the challenge but composed on the ball too. Looks to be enjoying his new lease of life under Wilder and Co. | Getty Images
![Never shy to let fly from long range and was unlucky not to have an assist after his nicely-weighted pass sent Osula free before he hit the side-netting. Got one eventually when his pass set up McAtee's goal, although it was all about the finish rather than the pass. Tracked back to his own goalline in the dying minutes to earn his side victory and a big pat on the back from his teammates](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/09/16/56/GettyImages-1842691727.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Gus Hamer 7
Never shy to let fly from long range and was unlucky not to have an assist after his nicely-weighted pass sent Osula free before he hit the side-netting. Got one eventually when his pass set up McAtee's goal, although it was all about the finish rather than the pass. Tracked back to his own goalline in the dying minutes to earn his side victory and a big pat on the back from his teammates | Getty Images
![Deservedly kept his place after Liverpool and the experience seemed to have filled him with confidence judging by an excellent early run that saw him beat a couple of men and then a cheeky nutmeg on Onyeka. Was involved throughout for United with another mature display](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/09/16/20/GettyImages-1835815938.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Andre Brooks 8
Deservedly kept his place after Liverpool and the experience seemed to have filled him with confidence judging by an excellent early run that saw him beat a couple of men and then a cheeky nutmeg on Onyeka. Was involved throughout for United with another mature display | Getty Images