Sheffield United can’t find a win for love nor money as their winless run stretches to fourteen matches

Leicester City kept their Champions League aspirations on track as Jamie Vardy’s last-minute winner was enough to seal a hard-fought win for Brendan Rodgers’ men at Bramall Lane.

Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans, Jonny Evans and Kasper Schmeichel were all welcomed back to the Leicester line up whilst Oliver Norwood dropped to the bench for the Blades. John Lundstram was preferred in midfield to add attacking presence in their search for more goals.

It was Leicester that were quickest out the traps and the return of their key quartet had an immediate impact.

The Foxes quickly got into their groove and their patient build-up play created the first major chance of the game. Ayoze Perez picked Jamie Vardy out in the area, but as the former England striker latched onto the ball, his unstoppable shot rattled the inside of Aaron Ramsdale’s post and flew out to safety.

Quick to brush the scare off, the hosts should have opened the scoring in the 21st minute following some excellent play from Sander Berge in midfield.

His strong running picked out Oli McBurnie in space and the Scottish striker’s lovely first touch pass put Oliver Burke clean through on goal.

With only Kasper Schmeichel to beat as he rushed into the box, Burke at full pace, lost balance and a poor touch allowed Schmeichel to gather as the young Scot momentarily threatened to roll the ball past him for an easy finish.

It was a case of ‘here we go again’ for Blades fans as a minute later, Leicester had taken the lead.

James Justin’s cross from the right found Vardy at the back post, and as the striker’s volley was blocked inside the six-yard box, the ball broke nicely to Perez, who volleyed into the roof of the net.

It seemed typical of United’s season, once more failing to capitalise on a golden opportunity that would come back to haunt them.

Image: Nick Potts/PA Images

Credit to Wilder’s men, his players didn’t let their heads drop and found themselves level just a few minutes later.

McBurnie climbed highest at the far post to head the ball into the net from Lundstram’s corner, with Schmeichel well beaten in the Leicester goal. It was McBurnie’s first goal of the season and he enjoyed the moment,  sliding on his knees in delight, right in front of the television cameras.

Max Lowe, Blades’ summer signing from Derby County, had shown plenty of promise in the first half, but he was very lucky not to pick up a second yellow card just before the break for his scything tackle on Perez. 

Lowe didn’t appear for the second period as Wilder decided against any unnecessary risks and his absence certainly impacted United going forwards.

Whilst Ben Osborn stepped into the wing-back position with minimal fuss, the Blades didn’t look as purposeful down the left-hand side. 

Only a couple of half-chances were all that the Blades could muster up in the second half as they failed to carve out a clear cut opportunity to win the game.

Their best chance fell once again to McBurnie, but despite rising highest to Fleck’s corner in the 65th minute, he couldn’t keep his header down as the ball flew narrowly over the Leicester bar. 

Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Leicester were once more finding their rhythm as Tielemens and James Maddison continued to link their play from midfield.

Leicester continued to up the pace and were unlucky not to have picked up a winner through Kelechi Iheanacho with ten minutes to go.

Following more good work from Man of the Match, James Maddison, some nice interplay from the pair put the Nigerian striker in on goal but a timely last-minute tackle from Kean Bryan prevented Leicester from re-taking the lead.

Rhian Brewster, introduced for the tireless Oliver Burke up top for United, tried an audacious chip from 25 yards out, but the ball flew well wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s right-hand post.

As the game seemed to be petering out as a point aside for both teams, Jamie Vardy showed his ruthless side to snatch a late winner for the Foxes. 

John Fleck lost control of the ball in the middle of the park which James Maddison took advantage of and within two touches, had put Vardy in on goal.

Having had a fairly frustrating second period, Vardy sprang into action like a lion waiting to prey upon its victim.

Whilst the ball from Maddison was delightfully weighted, with plenty still left to do, Vardy raced onto the ball and finished with aplomb, confidently curling the ball past Ramsdale to steal all three points for City.

Vardy’s over-zealous celebration earned himself a booking from Stuart Attwell as Leicester’s talisman slid into the corner flag and smashed it into oblivion.

The Foxes certainly didn’t have it all their own way and Chris Wilder will be pleased with his side’s effort but United didn’t apply enough pressure on the Leicester goal to take all three points.

“I won’t say we were the better team, we turned the ball over cheaply, but when you go deep into a game like that you are looking for a result.

“If you can’t win, you don’t get beat. And you just can’t lose in that manner. I have always said if someone smashes it into the top corner from 25 yards you accept it, but the manner of the goal is really poor.”

It gave Brendan Rodgers’ side their first win in five games and whilst they remain fourth in the Premier League, Leicester are back up and running following a mini lull.

“It might be the longest period since I’ve been here that we haven’t won, but if not it’s certainly felt the longest. We haven’t performed so well (of late).

“But we knew coming back to the Premier League it was going to be tough, and our performance was very good. Our combination and movement was very good and we didn’t have too many scares.

“It is important. We’re not used to losing.”

The Leicester boss will have been pleased with his side’s performance as they just about edged proceedings and looked the likeliest of the two sides to grab the win as the game wore on.

It’s back to the drawing board on Monday for Chris Wilder and his coaching staff. Whilst it was certainly a performance full of endeavour, they’ll look to address a moment of weakness that ultimately cost them picking up a much-needed point.

It will have been a bitter pill to swallow for all those connected to Sheffield United but there’s no doubt that the Blades will go again next weekend at Southampton.

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