Brighton 1-1 Sheffield United: Player Ratings as Danny Welbeck Pegs Back 10-Man Blades

20 December 2020 05:10

Sheffield United almost earned their first win of the Premier League season on Sunday afternoon, but conceded late on to draw 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast.

Brighton had the better chances in a tight first half, with Neal Maupay going close on two occasions. The game was turned on its head just before half-time, however, when John Lundstram was shown a red card for a heavy challenge on Joel Veltman, leaving the Blades' fate on a knife edge.

The Blades were camped in their own half for large portions of the second 45 minutes, but they shocked the Amex Stadium by executing a perfect counter-attack, allowing debutant Jayden Bogle to fire home and put Chris Wilder's men ahead on 63 minutes.

The Seagulls huffed and puffed to draw level, and they got their break with three minutes left on the clock, when Danny Welbeck chested down and rifled a ball into the net from inside the six-yard box. Neither team could find a winner, and the points were shared.

Let's check out the player ratings.


BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Unorthodox from Dunk | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Robert Sanchez (GK) - 7/10 - Pulled off a brilliant diving save down to his left to palm away McGoldrick's free-kick. Beaten by a wicked deflection on Bogle's strike. Little he could do.

Ben White (CB) - 5/10 - Outfoxed by McGoldrick on a couple of occasions. Looked a little shaky. Not reaching the standards he achieved with Leeds last season.

Lewis Dunk (CB) - 6/10 - Earned a yellow card for a poor, late challenge on Burke just outside the penalty area. Caught out by the counter-attack as Brighton pushed men forward.

Adam Webster (CB) - 7/10 - Carried the ball well out of defence. Deflected Bogle's shot beyond his keeper. Fizzed an effort at goal which stung Ramsdale's palms.


2. Wing-Backs & Midfielders

Bissouma had a solid game | JOHN SIBLEY/Getty Images

Joel Veltman (RWB) - 6/10 - On the receiving end of a horror challenge by Lundstram. Substituted at half-time as Graham Potter went for the win against 10 men.

Yves Bissouma (CM) - 7/10 - Such a dominant figure in the midfield. The first to every ball, kept Brighton on the front foot and always selected the right pass. A really tidy player.

Adam Lallana (CM) - 7/10 - A lovely footballer to watch in action. Neat one-touch passing, clever turns to avoid trouble. Couldn't quite penetrate the defence, though.

Solly March (LWB) - 6/10 - Had a right old ding dong with Baldock on that flank. Didn't give the Blade an inch and kept his wits about him at all times. So many frustratingly wasted crosses from good positions, however.


3. Forwards

Focused | Pool/Getty Images

Aaron Connolly (RW) - 6/10 - Tireless runner, showing his pace and strength in the channels to bully Robinson. Somehow headed high and wide from under the bar.

Neal Maupay (ST) - 5/10 - Almost broke the deadlock but saw his effort blocked on the line - twice. Subbed in the second half.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 7/10 - The most dangerous of the three forwards, flitting about behind the striker to find space. Squandered a great chance, dragging the ball wide.


4. Substitutes

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (CM) - 5/10

Danny Welbeck (ST) - 8/10 -
Only a short cameo but Welbeck showed he's still got a bit of class about him with the decisive equaliser.

Andi Zeqiri (LW) - 6/10


SHEFFIELD UNITED

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Basham getting stuck in | Pool/Getty Images

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 7/10 - Decent stop to deny Connolly in the first half. Brave double save to keep out Lallana and Jahanbakhsh in the second. No chance with the goal.

Chris Basham (CB) - 7/10 - Blocked an almost certain goal with an outstretched leg. Plenty of backs to the wall stuff as Brighton pressed. Unfortunate to head the ball into Welbeck's path at the end.

John Egan (CB) - 8/10 - Fought hard at the heart of the defence, heading and repelling everything that came his way. Massive header off the line in the dying minutes.

Jack Robinson (CB) - 7/10 - Almost cost his team with some weak defending in the first half, but was dug out by Basham. Grew into the game as it went on, fighting for every ball.


6. Wing-Backs & Midfielders

Marching orders | Pool/Getty Images

George Baldock (RWB) - 7/10 - Enjoyed an ongoing scrap with March, winning defensively but struggling at the other end. Made to defend for his life in the second half, but did not shirk the challenge.

John Lundstram (CM) - 4/10 - This is what happens when you're down at the bottom of the table. Players commit risky lunging challenges to leave their teammates in the mire. Unforgivable.

Ethan Ampadu (CM) - 7/10 - Produced a stunning block from close range to send the ball flying over the bar, rather than under it. Harassed the Brighton midfield and refused to let them have a moment of peace in the Blades' half.

John Fleck (CM) - 5/10 - Offered little in the first half, then sacrificed after only half an hour as Wilder changed shape to get a foothold in the match.

Enda Stevens (LWB) - 7/10 - Fired in an absolute screamer which whistled past the post in the second half, as the visitors looked to hit Brighton on the break.


7. Forwards

On the chase | JOHN SIBLEY/Getty Images

Rhian Brewster (ST) - 5/10 - Anonymous throughout the game, and even more so when Sheffield Utd went down to 10 men and had to dig in. Subbed early in the second half.

David McGoldrick (ST) - 8/10 - Centimetres from opening the scoring with a clever free-kick, but Sanchez just about got there. Forced into a much deeper and reserved midfield role but stuck to his task well. Wonderful run and cross to assist the opener.


8. Substitutes

Oliver Burke (ST) - 7/10 - Was introduced before Lundstram's sending off as Wilder opted to change shape. Worked hard and may have earned himself a start next time.

Jayden Bogle (RM) - 8/10 -
Has had to wait patiently for his debut, and couldn't have asked for a better impact. There was a deflection, yes, but who cares, eh?

Ben Osborn (LM) - 6/10

Source: 90min