Fulham 0-1 Sheffield United:Brilliant Ndiaye goal gives Sheff Utd win at stuttering
Ndiaye broke from his half before sliding an inch-perfect shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards in the first meaningful attack of the game.
The hosts, who had drawn their previous four games, dominated possession but struggled to threaten the Blades goal for most of the match.
Championship top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic smashed an effort against the angle of the post and crossbar in time added on before Harry Wilson sent the rebound way off target as the visitors hung on for three points.
In November, Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck came on as a second-half substitute for his first appearance since collapsing against Reading.
The travelling fans gave the Scotland international a great ovation as he took to the field, and he was able to help his side battle to a fourth successive victory and third straight under Heckingbottom.
The Blades stunningly opened the scoring when 21-year-old Frenchman Ndiaye carried the ball from 20 yards inside his half before slotting in a composed finish from the edge of the area.
Neeskens Kebano fired narrowly wide for the home side after a free-kick landed at his feet 10 yards out, but that, along with some enterprising runs from Wilson, were rare bright spots in a first 45 minutes where Marco Silva's side saw plenty of the ball but looked short of cutting edge.
Mitrovic, who has now scored once in his past four appearances, headed over at the start of the second half as Fulham sought to find a way back into the game.
Blades full-back Jayden Bogle should have done better when he was played in down the right, but he chose to cut inside, and the chance went. Billy Sharp also smashed a shot high into the roof of the net only to have his strike ruled out for offside.
In time added on, the hosts finally got behind the resolute Blades defence, but Mitrovic thundered a fierce strike against the woodwork, and Wales international Wilson could not keep the rebound on target.
The defeat ended their 11-match unbeaten run, but they are now without a victory in their past five games and are just three points clear of third-placed Blackburn.
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