Radek Vitek inspires Bristol City to victory against Sheffield United

An inspired second-half performance from goalkeeper Radek Vitek helped Bristol City make it maximum points from two games under interim head coach Roy Hodgson with a 1-0 Sky Bet Championship victory over Sheffield United at Ashton Gate.

The home side took a 23rd-minute lead when United goalkeeper Adam Davies advanced from his area to win a 50-50 challenge with Emil Riis and the ball ran loose for Mark Sykes to guide home past covering defenders with a cool low finish.

The Blades sprang to life after the break and forced a series of superb saves from Manchester United loanee Vitek and some fully-committed defending to keep them at bay.

City defender Cam Pring earned a third-minute caution for a foul and looked fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card nine minutes later for bringing down Femi Seriki as he prepared to cross from the byline.

However, it was one of few threats from United in a first half dominated by the quick movement of the home midfielders and striker Riis, who often found gaps in the visiting backline without coming up with a finishing touch.

Harrison Burrows sent a volley flashing across City’s goal after 33 minutes, but it was a rare moment of concern for Vitek. At the other end, a Riis cross somehow eluded Scott Twine at the far post when a tap-in looked imminent.

The half-time whistle was greeted with cheers by home fans and some booing from a healthy contingent of away supporters. Wilder responded by making two changes for the start of the second half, sending on Andre Brooks and Gus Hamer for Leo Hjelde and Djibril Soumare.

Immediately, his side looked more threatening and Tom Cannon sent a sweetly-struck shot just over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Vitek then had to dive full length to parry a Brooks shot before making a similar save to deny Hamer.

Hodgson, who had spent most of the first half sitting in the dug-out area, was suddenly on his feet trying to lift his players. Passes were going astray and Patrick Bamford volleyed over from six yards with City under constant pressure.

Vitek made an even better save to keep out another Brooks shot. The goalkeeper was in action again after 64 minutes, diving bravely at the feet of Bamford before a rare home raid saw Riis fire wide of the near post.

Hamer had a shot deflected wide and the resulting corner saw the busy Vitek palm away a Mark McGuinness header. Now the game was wide open and City substitute Delano Burgzorg had a shot blocked from a Twine pass.

The Blades kept pressing in more than eight minutes of stoppage time, but could find no way past Vitek.