Blackpool 1-2 Sheffield United: James McAtee strike seals Blades' fifth straight win
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James McAtee scored Sheffield United's second goal at Bloomfield Road with a stunning individual effort
James McAtee struck a stunning individual goal as Sheffield United claimed their fifth straight win to move level on points with Championship leaders Burnley.
Sander Berge put the Blades in front in the first half before McAtee pounced on Sonny Carey's slip to race from inside his own half and make it 2-0 after the break.
Blackpool responded shortly after when Marvin Ekipteta reduced the deficit, turning in Gary Madine's knockdown.
Madine almost rescued a point in added time, heading over from a corner.
The Seasiders, who made just one change from the side that drew at Hull on Boxing Day, started brightly and Carey's low drive thudded just wide before Ian Poveda's dipping attempt was clawed on to the bar by Wes Foderingham.
However, the Blades withstood that initial spell of pressure and proceeded to carve out opportunities of their own, with Amel Ahmedhodzic displaying deft control inside the box to spear a shot that deflected fractionally past the post.
In the 18th minute, Jayden Bogle - making his first start in almost three months - found space on the right and worked the ball inside to Iliman Ndiaye, who cut it back for Berge to control and slot into the bottom corner.
Bogle continued to cause problems for the home side, dragging a chance of his own wide before delivering a cross that Blackpool defender James Husband could only slice over his own bar.
Paul Heckingbottom's team looked in total control, extending their lead four minutes into the second half when Carey stumbled and McAtee sped clear on the break before coolly steering a low finish beyond Dan Grimshaw.
But Blackpool spirits were raised six minutes later as Madine nodded back a corner at the far post and Ekpiteta stabbed the ball over the line for his first goal of the season.
Sensing their opportunity, the Seasiders pushed forward again and Carey and Jerry Yates both went close to levelling before Madine headed over late on.
United always looked dangerous on the counter-attack, though, and it needed a tip-over save by Grimshaw to deny them a third after McAtee's backheel teed up Oliver Norwood to fire a shot from distance.
Blackpool, who have gone eight games without a win, slip a place to 23rd in the table, while the Blades are now 11 points clear of Blackburn in third.
Blackpool boss Michael Appleton:
"The players have shown great spirit to get themselves back into the game after going 2-0 down.
"There was some really poor defensive decision making to allow that to happen but the one thing they have got is spirit in that dressing room and you could see right to the final whistle there's a never-give-up attitude which is clear to see.
"That will go a long way between now and the end of the season. We're going to need that spirit we've shown.
"There will be times in the season where two or three clubs will lose their spirit. We've got to make sure we hang in there and make sure we're not one of them."
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom:
"The result was first class and big parts of the performance were good as well.
"Especially in this league, you can't take your foot off the gas. You have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices.
"If our flair players, or match winners, aren't willing to do that then they probably don't play because they give the opposition an advantage, but their work rate is brilliant, and they help us win games at the other end as well.
"It's a big gap over third, but we want to improve it, we want to keep winning."