Sheffield United 1-0 Brentford: James McAtee's strike seals Chris Wilder's first win as returning Blades boss... but it's not enough to lift them off the bottom of the Premier League table

With one sumptuous swish of his educated left boot, James McAtee kickstarted Sheffield United's fight against relegation.

The Salford-born midfielder is on a second successive season-loan loan from Manchester City having helped the Blades to promotion last term.

He struck on the stroke of half-time after collecting possession on the right-hand side of Brentford's 18-yard box and curling a brilliant dipping shot into the far corner of Mark Flekken's net.

On a filthy afternoon of incessant rain and driving wind, there had been precious little quality until 21-year-old McAtee – nicknamed the Salford Silva – took matters into his own hand.

It was his first Premier League goal and a worthy winner which left Blades boss Chris Wilder delighted.

It was United's first clean sheet of the season and left Wilder delighted after his first win since returning to the club earlier this week.

The boyhood Blades fan said: 'It was really emotional because that first win is huge for everybody.

'The word used quite often is 'suffer' and the club has had to suffer this season.

'Nationally we all know what the narrative is.

'We're not daft, we listen to pundits, commentators and the media which you can't keep away from because we all love the game and want to keep in touch with it.

'The narrative is what it is and it's our job to try and change that.

'McAtee's found a moment – a big moment – and it's decided what was a tight game.'

Even after this victory, only their second in 16 games, the Blades remain bottom.

But Wilder's return – following the axing of Paul Heckingbottom in the wake of last week's abject 5-0 surrender at Burnley – has revitalised the Blades.

Wilder was fuming after Brentford's Frank Onyeka caught Vini Souza with an ugly first-half challenge, going over the top of the United midfielder with his studs.

Referee Stuart Attwell referred the decision to VAR where Robert Jones deemed the challenge worthy of a booking.

But, as the interval approached, Gustavo Hamer found McAtee and he settled the match.

Brentford offered little in the absence of the injured Bryan Mbeumo and United had further chances during a largely dominant second-half display.

Bees boss Thomas Frank insisted: 'I saw a lot of effort from the players, I can't complain about that.

'It looked like a game that had to be decided by one top action.'

Thankfully for Wilder and the Bramall Lane faithful, McAtee provided it.