Brentford 1 Sheffield United 1: Chris Mepham nets first senior goal to dent Blades’ Championship play-off hopes
Chris Basham struck deflected opener for visitors before defender Mepham struck - leading to chaotic celebrations that saw two red cards
Sponsored by
UNITED wasted a chance to put pressure on the top six – and lost keeper Jamal Blackman for three games.
The 6ft 7in keeper was dismissed after clashing with 5ft 8in Brentford midfielder Ryan Woods seconds after Chris Mepham had shot the home side level in the 68th minute.
Their little and large bust-up, as Woods attempted to take the ball back to the centre spot, ended in straight red cards after the pair exchanged blows in front of ref Jeremy Simpson.
Blades boss Chris Wilder said: “Jamal didn’t have to give Ryan Woods the ball back, and I don’t know what Woods was thinking of – Jamal is a 6ft 7in tall lad.
“Ryan has had a little bit of a slap at Jamal, who has retaliated and slapped him back.
"Jamal made it easy for the referee – I thought the ref might have missed it because he missed quite a lot in the game.”
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Bees chief Dean Smith said: “For me, Chris Basham should have been sent off just before for exactly the same challenge as he made earlier for a yellow card.”
Basham put the Blades ahead 10 minutes after half-time when his shot deflected past keeper Daniel Bentley off Bees full-back Josh Clarke.
Bentley saved a point for the home side with three great late saves – two from sub Clayton Donaldson and one from Leon Clarke.
