LONDON, Dec 31: Arsenal’s disappointing year ended predictably in frustration when Christian Nade’s first Premiership goal earned struggling Sheffield United a deserved 1-0 victory over Arsene Wenger's side at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Nade, a free signing from Troyes in the summer, was only starting because of a long list of injuries yet the 22-year-old responded to his rare chance in the spotlight by smashing a 40th-minute winner.

Arsenal's first defeat in eight games left them 17 points behind leaders Manchester United with 17 games of the season remaining.

Sheffield United's sixth victory since returning to the top tier in August was even more remarkable as they were forced to play the final half an hour without a recognised goalkeeper.

Republic of Ireland stopper Paddy Kenny was forced off with a suspected groin injury and with no goalkeeping back-up on the substitutes bench, Phil Jagielka, who stared the game in the centre of defence, was forced to pull on the gloves.

Gilberto Silva and Aliadiere both spurned costly chances before United stunned the visitors by taking the lead against the run of play five minute before half-time.

Alan Quinn had already wasted a golden chance to put the hosts ahead when he played a super ball to Nade after an Arsenal move had broken down.

Nade, making his first Premiership home start, glided past the pedestrian Kolo Toure before steering the ball beyond Lehmann to send Bramall Lane wild.

Results:

Blackburn Rovers 2 Middlesbrough 1

Bolton Wanderers 3 Portsmouth 2

Charlton Athletic 2 Aston Villa 1

Chelsea 2 Fulham 2

Everton 3 Newcastle United 0

Manchester United 3 Reading 2

Sheffield United 1 Arsenal 0

Tottenham Hotspur 0 Liverpool 1

Watford 1 Wigan Athletic 1

West Ham United 0 Manchester City 1

Next Fixtures (GMT):

Monday (Jan 1):

Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers (1245)

Fulham v Watford (1500)

Manchester City v Everton (1500)

Middlesbrough v Sheffield United (1500)

Portsmouth v Tottenham Hotspur (1500)

Reading v West Ham United (1500)

Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers (1500)

Newcastle United v Manchester United (1715). —Agencies