Sheffield Utd 1-1 Birmingham: The Blades held at Bramall Lane by Blues

Sheffield U were helde ach other to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham on Saturday at Bramall Lane. Sheffield U were keen to hang onto their position at the top of the table and extend their winning run after winning their previous two games in the competition. The most recent was against the Preston North End away (2-0), the other to Swansea City away (1-0). Birmingham were struggling for form following a draw in their last match. Sheffield U and Birmingham currently occupy 1st and 15th spots in the league, with 24 points and 13 points respectively after 12 matches.

After an uneventful first half, Sheffield U fought back the second half, when Oliver McBurnie gave them the lead in the 64th minute. In the end though, their celebrations were kept brief, as Troy Deeney equalised for Blues in the 70th minute. The match ended wih a 1-1 draw.

Substitutions for Sheffield U included Rhian Brewster, Jayden Bogle, Billy Sharp and James John McAtee for Thomas Doyle, Reda Khadra, Oliver McBurnie and Iliman Ndiaye, respectively. Birmingham brought on Hannibal Mejbri, George Hall, Lukas Jutkiewicz, and Jobe Bellingham, to replace Juninho Bacuna, Tahith Chong, Scott Hogan, and Troy Deeney.

There were bookings for Oliver McBurnie, Oliver Norwood and Jayden Bogle from Sheffield U. For Birmingham, Emmanuel Longelo, Krystian Bielik and Hannibal Mejbri saw yellow.

Sheffield U will play their next game at home against Queens Park Rangers, while Birmingham will face Middlesbrough away.