Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland - Anel Ahmedhodzic helps Blades beat 10-man Wearsiders

Anel Ahmedhodzic's first goal for Sheffield United was his first in three years.

Anel Ahmedhodzic scored one and made one as Sheffield United squeezed home against 10-man Sunderland.

The game turned on a two-minute passage just past the half-hour mark when Sunderland were reduced to 10 men - and the Blades took the lead.

Dan Neil was dismissed by referee James Linington for dragging down James McAtee on the edge of the box and the hosts then cashed in when summer signing Ahmedhodzic rose highest to powerfully head home Oliver Norwood's inswinging left-wing corner.

After scoring his first goal in three years, Swedish-born Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Ahmedhodzic then set up the second goal for last term's beaten Championship play-off semi-finalists.

The Sunderland defence were pulled apart when Norwood's pass, intended for Sander Berge, was dummied into the path of Ahmedhodzic - and his pull-back from close to the right byline set up Max Lowe's neat right-foot, near-post finish.

Sunderland got one back on 55 minutes when John Egan's poor pass to McAtee was intercepted by Jay Matete and Ross Stewart seized on the loose ball, playing in Lynden Gooch, who chipped keeper Wes Foderingham from outside the box.

But the visitors could not find another way through as Paul Heckingbottom's Blades held on for their second win in four games this season.

In fact, they could have won by more. Berge went close to restoring United's two-goal lead, when his shot was deflected on to the left post.

Substitute Oli McBurnie was also an immediate threat when he came on, hitting an angled shot straight at Anthony Patterson, who then made a good save to keep out Norwood's well-struck curling effort, before twice more thwarting McBurnie.

Who's next?

Sunderland are on their travels again on Saturday when they go to Stoke, while the Blades host early leaders Blackburn, who were well beaten at Reading.

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom:

"In the first half we weren't as composed on the ball as we wanted to be. Credit to Sunderland, They stepped onto us and took risks. Fair play to them.

"It's a red card but then you want to compound that, and we did that. We needed to be better in the second half and we were. We showed a lot more composure, moved it a lot quicker and, before you know it, then you've got bodies up the pitch and you can start to score the goals that we did.

"The problem is, when you give away a goal away like that, it just changes the dynamic."

Sunderland boss Alex Neil:

"The effort levels were through the roof, really, because Sheffield United are a very, very good team. For 30 minutes, we more than matched them.

"Unfortunately, we make a mistake, they capitalise on it and we get a man sent off and then the job becomes really difficult.

"The one frustration I probably do have is the timing of the second goal. When you've got 10 men, you need to keep the next 10 or 15 minutes as tight as you can."