Ahmedhodzic helps Blades beat 10-man Sunderland
Last updated on .From the section Championship
Anel Ahmedhodzic scored one and made one as Sheffield United squeezed home against 10-man Sunderland.
Dan Neil was dismissed by referee James Linington for dragging down James McAtee on the edge of the box and the hosts cashed in when Ahmedhodzic rose highest to powerfully head home Oliver Norwood's inswinging left-wing corner. It was the Swedish-born Bosnia-Herzegovina defender's first goal in three years.
Summer signing Ahmedhodzic then set up the second goal as the Sunderland defence were pulled apart.
Norwood's pass, intended for Sander Berge, was dummied into the path of Ahmedhodzic - and his pullback from close to the right byeline set up Max Lowe's neat right-foot finish at the near post.
Sunderland got one back on 55 minutes when John Egan's poor pass to McAtee was intercepted by Jay Matete and Ross Stewart seized on the loose ball, playing in Lynden Gooch, who chipped past Wes Foderingham from outside the box.
But the visitors could not find another way through as Paul Heckingbottom's Blades held on for their second win in four games this season.
In fact, they could have won by more. Berge went close to restoring United's two-goal lead, when his shot was deflected on to the left post. Substitute Oli McBurnie was also an immediate threat when he came on.
He hit an angled shot straight at Anthony Patterson, who then made a good save to keep out Norwood's well-struck curling effort, before twice more thwarting McBurnie.