Sheffield United kept pace with Leeds and Norwich at the top of the table after a resolute defensive display aided their win over Brentford last night.

Goals from Oliver Norwood and David McGoldrick ensured three more points were reordered as the Blades moved within a point of second place.

Chris Wilder’s men remain in third after Leeds – their opponents on the weekend – steamrolled Reading to move top.

The goals and the performance at the back were not the only talking points at Bramall Lane.

With the game in Sheffield United’s favour by the odd goal, Gary Madine was shown a straight red card on 35 minutes for a lunge from behind on a Bees player.

It was a reckless, ill-timed challenge which did not need to be made at the time and the position the ball was on the pitch which meant the team had to dig in defensively.

There was plenty of Blades reaction to a sending off Wilder said he had no complaints with the decision.

Plenty of United’s supporters were in agreement, laying into the striker after his dismissal which will leave him out of the next three games.