Carabao Cup: Sheffield Utd 2-1 Blackburn

Richard Stearman opened the scoring for Sheffield United on his first appearance of the season

First-half goals from Richard Stearman and Oliver Norwood helped Sheffield United beat Blackburn to reach the Carabao Cup third round.

Blackburn striker Adam Armstrong had an early penalty saved at Bramall Lane before Stearman put the Blades ahead with a diving header from Norwood's corner.

Former Northern Ireland midfielder Norwood doubled United's lead in first half stoppage-time with a strike from the edge of the penalty area following good work by Ravel Morrison.

Blackburn substitute Sam Gallagher headed home Armstrong's left-wing cross in the second half, but the Premier League side held on.

United manager Chris Wilder made 10 changes to the side that lost to Leicester last weekend, including giving debuts to Ben Osborn and Mo Besic and first starts for Oli McBurnie and Manchester United academy graduate Morrison.

Championship team Blackburn, winners of the EFL Cup in 2002, had the chance to take the lead after only six minutes when Stearman brought down Armstrong in the area.

Armstrong's penalty was saved by goalkeeper Simon Moore, who was making his first Blades appearance since January.

John Buckley and Joe Rothwell sent long-range efforts wide for Blackburn before United opening the scoring after 31 minutes.

Blackburn allowed Norwood's corner to go right across their six-yard box before Stearman nodded home.

The home side doubled their lead when Morrison went on a mazy run down the left before finding Norwood, who fired into the corner.

Blackburn got themselves back into the game with 18 minutes remaining courtesy of Gallagher's powerful header, and fellow substitute Joe Rankin-Costello had an effort cleared off the line as they pushed for an equaliser.

Rovers manager Tony Mowbray was sent off in stoppage time for arguing with the referee as United edged through.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder: "I take the blame for a disjointed performance because when you do make than many changes it's not really the players to blame.

"We were also up against a very talented side that move the ball about very well. You get games like that when you don't really have a rhythm about you.

"But we had to make the changes because everyone recognises that without doubt the bigger issue is Chelsea (in the Premier League) on Saturday."