Norwich City 0-1 Sheffield United: Match report and player ratings

David Wagner's side started strongly, with Max Aarons' darts forward an early threat.

One such run resulted in the game's first penalty appeal, as Aarons appeared to be clipped by Blades full-back Max Lowe. The referee gave nothing, however, with a firm crossing of his arms.

From there the visitors began to grow into the contest, first with Sander Berge's miscued header and then when Anel Ahmedhozic rattled Angus Gunn's crossbar.

But Norwich emerged from the break in the ascendancy, and could have opened the scoring when Marquinhos’ low cross was parried towards Pukki. John Egan’s outstretched leg ensured there would be no tap-in for the Finn, however, keeping the scoresheet blank.

Paul Heckingbottom's side then opened the scoring midway through the second period. Norwich protested that James McAtee was in an offside position when he converted Lowe's scuffed shot, but the goal stood.

The defeat leaves Norwich four points short of the play-off places, with sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers possessing a game in hand over them.

NORWICH CITY (4-4-2):

Norwich City's starting line-up for their Championship match against Sheffield United. (Image: Newsquest)

Substitutes:

1. Krul (GK)

4. Omobamidele

15. McCallum (on for Giannoulis, 84)

18. Tzolis (on for Idah, 70)

19. Sorensen

46. Gibbs (on for Sara, 84)

47. Kamara (on for Pukki, 70)

Head Coach: David Wagner

Bookings: Aarons (33), Sara (34)

Goals:

SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2):

Sheffield United's starting line-up for their Championship match against Norwich City. (Image: Newsquest)

Substitutes:

1. Davies (GK)

4. Fleck (on for McAtee, 85)

6. Basham (on for Doyle, 89)

10. Sharp (on for McBurnie, 69)

16. Norwood (on for Berge, 69)

20. Bogle

32. Osula

Head Coach: Paul Heckingbottom

Bookings: Baldock (33), Berge (50), Ndiaye (90+4)

Goals: McAtee (62)

KEY MOMENTS

10 - Aarons slaloms into the box and goes down under contact from Lowe, but the referee gives nothing.

17 - Berge meets Doyle's corner and heads just wide of Gunn's far post.

27 - Sara's corner is diverted into Marquinhos' path by Pukki. He shoots, but his effort flies over the bar.

36 - Ahmedhodzic beats Idah and heads Doyle's corner onto the crossbar.

44 - Idah sparks handball cries with his blocked shot, but nothing's given.

Half time - Norwich City 0-0 Sheffield United

54 - Marquinhos flashes a low ball in, but Pukki can't quite reach the rebound when Foderingham parries away.

60 - Baldock goes down looking for a penalty, but there's not enough contact from Giannoulis.

62 - GOAL SHEFFIELD UNITED (McAtee): Lowe's shot is scuffed into the path of McAtee, who pokes beyond Gunn despite looking like he was in an offside position.

73 - Sharp cuts in and hits the far post from a tight angle.

90+1 - Marquinhos strikes his long-distance shot well, but it's straight at Foderingham.

Full time - Norwich City 0-1 Sheffield United

PLAYER RATINGS

Gunn 6, Aarons 8, Hanley 7, Gibson 6, Giannoulis 7, McLean 6, Sara 6, Marquinhos 5, Idah 4, Sargent 5, Pukki 5. Subs: Tzolis 5, Kamara 4, McCallum 6, Gibbs 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 52pc-48pc

Shots: 7-6

On target: 1-1

Corners: 4-4

Fouls: 12-18

Injury time: 1 min/5 mins

ATTENDANCE: 26,801

REFEREE: Darren Bond