The Blades promotion hopes took a blow when they suffered a rare and shock defeat to Bristol City at Bramall Lane. In truth United never got going and despite leading twice, the away side deserved the three points. United had not conceded a goal in seven and non at the Lane since Boxing Day but shipped three in one afternoon in a desperately disappointing performance.

Leeds comeback win against Millwall meant United hard work the previous game was undone as Leeds went back into 2nd spot with seven games to play. With Norwich’s victory at Middlesbrough it was as bad a day as it could have been for the Blades.

In front of an almost capacity crowd, United froze and put in a really poor performance with most of the side nowhere near their best. In contract City pressed, were hungrier and played the better football and had the better chances throughout. It would have been a travesty if they had not taken anything from the game but United did lead with just over quarter of an hour to play but City stuck to their principles and scored two excellent goals to win it with Andrea Weismann scoring a hat trick. After Ryan Sessegnon last season, this was the second successive season a player had scored a hat trick at the Lane for a visiting side.

Manager Wilder was given a blow when Duffy was deemed not fit enough to even be in the match day squad with an Achilles injury. Basham went back into defence and Dowell came in with Cranie the unfortunate man to miss out. Johnson and Washington were back amongst the substitutes.

In front of a near capacity crowd, United forced Bristol City back with McGoldrick lively in the early running. A neat one to led to a chance but the visitors cleared. United won a corner after good build up and Sharp was blocked out and the same man headed wide from the delivery. United won a free kick and from the resultant delivery SHARP nodded home. Bristol City claimed a foul in the melee but it seemed a bit of a desperate plea as United’s leading scorer celebrated being back amongst the goals. United came again soon after with a good run and shot from McGoldrick saved by O’Leary.

Steadily Bristol City came back into the game and they started to control midfield. United sat back and were giving the ball away as City pressed. Gradually Brownhill started to get on the ball and United were forced back. It became City in control for a long spell of play and the crowd started to become restless as the home team gave the ball away when under pressure. Brownhill had a long-range shot tipped away from Henderson and City then won a series of free kicks as they took control of the game.

Pack was booked for a late foul on Norwood but this was temporary rest bite as City came again. Poor play from Norwood saw United give the ball away and then soon after the deserved equaliser came. Stevens should have cleared but miskicked and Norwich got down the right and Hunt sent over a cross that WEIMANN flicked goalward with his head. Henderson seemed to lose the ball in flight and it nestled into the top corner. In truth it had been coming as City had played really well since going behind.

The final stages of the first half saw Bristol look more comfortable on the ball and continue to force United back. Still a decent chance when O’Connell headed over when Sharp seemed to get in his way. The final chance came when Weimann had a debatable free kick saved by Henderson.

At the break Hogan came on for Dowell with McGoldrick dropping into the number 10 role. City began the better side though and Smith forced a save from Henderson. Weimann then nearly got in as United still sat off the Bristol players who seemed to have a lot more time on the ball. United still were not getting any fluency at all although Fleck had a good run and shot pushed away that led to a corner.

Norwood then was booked for a tackle on Weimann and the free kick from Brownhill seemed to have beaten Henderson but hit the post and for the third successive game the woodwork denied United.

The Blades slowly came back into it and Basham and Sharp linked up but the ball was played too far ahead of Hogan. United kept plugging away and good work from Baldock down the right saw his cross perfect for HOGAN to nod down and in. United had the lead with 20 minutes to play.

However, Bristol continued to be the side with more poise and continued to switch play. O’Connell had to go off with a knock and Johnson was given the nod and United seemed to go to a 4-4-2. As United were still re-organising City were level again.

There was no pressure applied on the midfield and a simple ball was allowed into the path of Diedhiou who held it up too easily, rolled it back and Palmer’s cross cut out the whole defence with Stevens and Egan ball watching and WEIMANN superbly turned it into the far corner.

It was now anybody’s game but United continued to look a little ragged. The passing was poor and Bristol City had midfielders running at them and causing problems. At this stage the away side looked the more likely and a lovely one two led to a hat trick from WEIMANN. Diedhiou played it back into his back and his scored with aplomb. United were stunned but they could not argue at the score line as they had been second best.

With just over 5 minutes to play United tried to launch a last-ditch attempt for a point and Johnson nearly found Hogan with a nod back but it was cleared. A late corner came in as the game entered the final 6 minutes of stoppage time but McGoldrick headed over. United could not create any other chances and City soaked things up comfortably to take the big three points.