Analysis: Sheffield United 1-3 Bournemouth

By Sam Drury, BBC Sport

After a pair of morale-boosting results prior to the international break, this felt like a damaging defeat for Sheffield United.

Bournemouth started the day four points ahead of the Blades but if this was supposed to be a match between two relegation rivals, it did not look like one.

The visitors were a class above and, in the first half, Paul Heckingbottom's side lacked the intensity to help close the gap.

While the defence was cut open time and again, there was nothing coming from the attack to help relieve the pressure.

It took until the 88th minute for the home side to register a shot on target and by that stage the game was long since lost.

With a huge game at Burnley next weekend, the pressure is on the Blades to rediscover their form prior to the break and prevent the gap to the sides above them quickly becoming unmanageable.