Sheffield United to monitor fitness of Man City loanee after red-card horror tackle in hard-fought Bristol City win

Iliman Ndiaye proved the distinction for the Blades but once more as he nodded previous goalkeeper Max O’Leary from shut vary within the forty ninth minute. It was the ahead’s eighth aim of the season because the guests left Ashton Gate as 1-0 victors.

But City hit the woodwork twice and didn’t capitalise on quite a few harmful crosses earlier than having defender George Tanner despatched off for a late problem on James McAtee in stoppage time. Heckingbottom didn’t really feel there was any in poor health intent within the problem however was adamant the pink card was deserved.

“This was my worst win since I took cost. When we’ve gained earlier than, it has been deserved,” admitted the Blades boss.

“It was not a efficiency that may convey us many extra victories. Bristol had been higher than us in a great deal of departments and I really feel for Nigel Pearson. We needed to depend on expertise, a successful mentality and robust defending. The three factors had been every thing.

“I’m undecided what number of pink playing cards the problem on the finish was value. But I believe James McAtee’s velocity performed a component and I don’t consider there was any intent to harm our participant. All the gamers labored arduous and we defended our field significantly nicely within the second half.

“But I’m not going to be smug about it. I acquired the form of the crew unsuitable to start out with and needed to make a change within the first half. Taking off Reda Khadra was no reflection on his efficiency.”

Sheffield United, who’ve been dealt quite a few damage issues this season, will monitor McAtee forward of the go to of Burnley on Saturday.

Heckingbottom added: “James banged his head and his knee. He actually acquired caught. We’ll check out him, as you’d count on, over the subsequent few days and fingers crossed with him.”