Norwich City 0-1 Sheffield United: James McAtee goal earns Blades win at Carrow Road
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James McAtee's second-half strike was the on-loan Manchester City man's sixth goal of the season
James McAtee grabbed the only goal at a windswept Carrow Road as Sheffield United edged out Norwich City to earn a third win in four Championship games and move six points clear of third place.
A miserable, rainy afternoon contributed to a game of very few chances, with McAtee's 62nd-minute tap-in, after a slick move, the first attempt on target.
But it was enough to take the Blades six points clear of both Luton Town, and Middlesbrough, who were thumped 4-2 by Neil Warnock's Huddersfield Town.
FA Cup semi-finalists United came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break, but Anel Ahmedhodzic's header hit the bar, while the best Canaries opportunities fell to Marquinhos, who shot over in the first half and also had a 92nd-minute attempt saved.
The Brazilian was involved in the home side's best moments, but they were limited and David Wagner's play-off hopefuls slipped to a second defeat in a four-game winless run.
All the best chances in an even first half came from corners, although neither side could manage to test the keepers despite plenty of endeavour.
Sander Berge, on his 100th start for the Blades, sent a header wide, but the best opportunity fell to defender Ahmedhodzic, whose effort came back off the bar with Norwich managing to scramble the ball clear.
The Canaries, who have now failed to beat Sheffield United in their past seven meetings, went closest through Marquinhos, the Brazilian shooting over after Teemu Pukki flicked on Gabriel Sara's cross.
McAtee's goal - his sixth for the Blades - came after some great approach play by Iliman Ndiaye and the visitors almost added to the lead when substitute Billy Sharp's strike hit the post.
A long-range Marquinhos effort in added time could have salvaged a draw but Wes Foderingham saved comfortably, leaving seventh-placed Norwich four points adrift of Blackburn, who occupy the last play-off spot.
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"Every time we can get a win at this stage of the season we are making it a bit harder for everyone else but there are still so many games to go.
"Strange things can happen. But we are in the semi-final of the FA Cup and chasing promotion so what's not to enjoy?
"In the first half I felt we couldn't make things happen in the final third. We hit the bar and had our moments but I felt we didn't get control of the game as much as I would have liked.
"I felt our best moments came after we went 1-0 up because Norwich had to come out more. We had opportunities on the counter-attack when they were chasing the game but, regardless of that, we saw the game out well."
Norwich City boss David Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk:
"In possession we were not good and got beaten by the better side. We didn't find solutions and offensively, individually we were no able to break them down - and collectively as well.
"In terms of the attitude and fighting spirit and willingness to try to produce something, there were no complaints. They tried everything until the final second.
"In a very even game. they had the better quality in terms of the chances and this means we got beaten.
"In the last two games we didn't produce a lot of clearcut chances and were not able to break the opponents down - two good opponents to be fair. Our aim is to do this better. If you have so many injury concerns as we have had it doesn't make it easy."
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