Dan Neil's red card changed the game as ten-man Sunderland were beaten by promotion hopefuls Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. It was the Black Cats' first defeat since returning to the Championship, and their first league defeat since mid-February - Alex Neil's second game in charge.
Sunderland had to play for an hour shorthanded after Dan Neil was dismissed for a professional foul, having held back James McAtee when he was through on goal. Almost immediately, Anel Ahmedhodzic headed the Blades in front from a set-piece.
And then right at the start of the second half, Max Lowe added a second for the South Yorkshire outfit. Lynden Gooch pulled a goal back ten minutes into the second period with a delicate chip, but Sunderland could not build up a head of steam and force an equaliser.
