Sheffield United were denied a second Premier League point of the season by a late Jamie Vardy goal as Leicester City stole all three points in the final minutes of their 2-1 win at Bramall Lane on Sunday evening.
Leicester dominated the opening proceedings and Ayoze Perez broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. In his first Premier League appearance since mid-October, Perez volleyed in from close range after Marc Albrighton's shot was only partially blocked.
⚽️ Ayoze Perez since late January:
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 6, 2020
2 goals in 2 apps v Sheffield Utd
0 goals in 22 apps v all other teams pic.twitter.com/1JHOgmWhu6
But it only took three minutes for the hosts to strike back through Oli McBurnie, who climbed highest from a corner to net his first goal since July. Sheffield United grew into the game but Leicester had the better chances with Vardy and James Maddison clattering the same post either side of the goal flurry.
Leicester dominated possession in the second half but, much like Sheffield United, struggled to carve open any clear cut opportunities until Maddison threaded a ball through for Vardy in the 90th minute to snatch a victory.
Vardy's goal consigned Sheffield United to a tenth defeat from their opening 11 Premier League games, leaving them firmly rooted to the foot of the table.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 5/10 - Ramsdale's wait for a maiden Premier League clean sheet since returning to the club in the summer goes on. Fortunate to not be punished for dropping a high ball in the penalty area in the second half.
Chris Basham (CB) - 5/10 - Made Sheffield United's archetypal overlapping run much more often than his other wide centre back.
John Egan (CB) - 5/10 - The little he had to do, Egan did without any fuss, but he was unable to catch the jet-heeled Vardy late on.
Kean Bryan (CB) - 6/10 - In his second ever Premier League start, Bryan struggled to contain Perez in the first half but grew into the contest.
2. Wing Backs & Midfielders
George Baldock (RWB) - 6/10 - Ensured James Justin couldn't bomb forward unchecked, also posing a threat himself at the sharp end.
Sander Berge (CM) - 5/10 - The 22-year-old attempted to inject some urgency into Sheffield United's midfield with mixed success.
John Lundstram (CM) - 6/10 - Broke into the box with increasing regularity and perhaps unlucky to go off on the hour mark.
John Fleck (CM) - 3/10 - Skirted around the peripheries of the match before being robbed of the ball in the build up to Vardy's goal.
Max Lowe (LWB) - 5/10 - Perhaps fortunate not to have received a second yellow card in the first half and was subbed off at the interval.
3. Forwards
Oli McBurnie (ST) - 8/10 - Ended a goalless run of more than 14 hours of Premier League football and was excellent aerially in both boxes
Oliver Burke (ST) - 5/10 - Pressed well from the front but wasted the few chances he had to even attempt a shot, let alone score.
4. Substitutes
45' Change at the break for United.
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 6, 2020
Ben Osborn replaces Max Lowe. pic.twitter.com/v67lRxi3Br
Ben Osbourn (LWB) - 6/10
Oliver Norwood (CM) - 5/10
Rhian Brewster (ST) - 5/10
LEICESTER CITY
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) - 6/10 - Wasn't at fault for Sheffield United's goal and had very, very little to do elsewhere.
Wesley Fofana (CB) - 6/10 - Caught under the ball at the corner for McBurnie's opener to continue Leicester's dreadful record from dead balls this season.
Jonny Evans (CB) - 7/10 - Composed performance anchoring Leicester's back three.
Christian Fuchs (CB) - 5/10 - Did very little with the myriad of touches he was afforded, passively playing the safe square ball to Evans more often than not.
6. Midfielders & Wingbacks
Marc Albrighton (RWB) - 6/10 - Always keen to whip in a cross from out wide, though the accuracy of these deliveries left something to be desired.
Youri Tielemans (CM) - 6/10 - Tried to punch the ball through Sheffield United's well marshalled block with a sense of adventure lacking from many of his teammates.
Nampalys Mendy (CM) - 6/10 - Snapped at the heels of any red-and-white-shirted midfielder in possession while he was on the pitch.
James Justin (LWB) - 5/10 - Exerted little influence at either end of the pitch.
7. Forwards
Maddison had to copy Perez's celebration. ? pic.twitter.com/wBeLImEsPM
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 6, 2020
Ayoze Perez (RW) - 7/10 - Having been left out of the squad for four of Leicester's past five Premier League fixtures, Perez made a case to be included in their next outing, though did fade after the interval.
Jamie Vardy (ST) - 7/10 - Regularly darted in behind but was scarcely found until the dying embers of the contest. Kept a cool head to finish well.
James Maddison (LW) - 7/10 - Drifted infield with menace and was ultimately the difference maker with a moment of genuine incision desperately lacking for much of the match.
8. Substitutes
A double switch for the Foxes ??#ShuLei pic.twitter.com/AZWisAj3rF
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 6, 2020
Wilfred Ndidi (CM) - 5/10
Kelechi Iheanacho (RW) - 6/10
Dennis Praet (CM) - N/A
Source: 90min
