Sunderland's unbeaten start to life in the Championship came to an end at Bramall Lane. The Black Cats arrived in South Yorkshire in good form but boss Alex Neil had described this as their toughest test to date.
And after initially taking the game to Sheffield United, Sunderland's task became immeasurably more difficult when midfielder Dan Neil was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on James McAtee. Anel Ahmedhodzic headed the hosts in front almost immediately, with Max Lowe adding the second just after half-time.
Lynden Gooch pulled a goal back to give the Wearsiders hope, but they could not find an equaliser and in the end only a series of excellent saves from Anthony Patterson prevented the Blades winning by a more comfortable margin.
