Of all the fixtures Luke Williams could have chosen to try and move on from the pain of a derby day humiliation, high-flying Sheffield United probably wouldn’t have been particularly high on his list.

And yet, while ending in another defeat, there were genuine signs of a positive response from Swansea City and, crucially, some indication that this side is still playing for boss Luke Williams, who has found himself under real pressure on the back of that farcical defeat to Cardiff City.

Florian Bianchini nodded home his third goal of the season to give the hosts a deserved lead during what was a really promising first half, before former Swansea loanee Rhian Brewster restored parity early on in a disastrous second 45 that saw Harry Darling sent off five minutes later.

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Harrison Burrows sealed the three points for the Blades with a well-taken penalty midway through the second half, sealing a result that condemns Swansea to a fourth defeat in five games in all competitions.

Swans race out the blocks

The Swans mustered up just two shots on target all game on Saturday, and had also scored just once in their last four games in all competitions.

Additionally, they hadn’t scored at all in the previous five meetings with Sheffield United, so hopes of a Swansea goal here, amidst all the doom and gloom, must have been on the floor going into this clash.

But Swansea’s start to this game was a total contrast to three days ago. In the opening 10 minutes here, they were slick, penetrative, and fizzing with an energy that had been so sorely lacking in the last couple of weeks or so.

When Bianchini headed home his third goal of the season after seven minutes, Sheffield United could have few complaints. Indeed, the only real criticism one could make of Swansea's otherwise dazzling start is that they didn't score a couple more before the break.

As it happens, that very point would prove pivotal.

Peart-Harris puts hand up on return

Myles Peart-Harris’ only contribution at the weekend was to put himself at the heart of a post-match melee his boss branded ‘pathetic’ afterwards.

One can only assume there were some much kinder words for the Brentford loanee this time around, as he emerged as one of his side’s brightest outlets on the night.

The 22-year-old often dazzles and frustrates in equal measure , but it's clear that when he fancies it, he can really hurt teams.

This performance certainly leaned towards the former, although his honesty just after half an hour probably counted against him.

Indeed, had he gone down after he was clearly held back by Rhys Norrington-Davies, whose half-time exit was testament to how lucky he was to escape a second yellow card before the interval, he would have surely have had a penalty.

Unfortunately, his, and Swansea's, task would get far more difficult after the break.

Brewster comes back to haunt Swans in crucial five minutes

Brewster was a hero in these parts five years ago.

When he was substituted 20 minutes from time, he left the field to venomous boos.

A fruitful loan spell here yielded 11 goals in 22 appearances for the Swans, and while he perhaps hasn't quite managed to kick on in the way many might have expected, he had a decisive say on this contest.

First, he tucked home an equaliser after Swansea could only half-clear Femi Seriki's low cross. Then, five minutes later, he was involved in a flashpoint that ignited the ire of the home crowd.

Darling's attempt to play the ball was certainly clumsy, but it's fair to say many of the home crowd felt the decision to give him his marching orders for a heavy clash with Brewster was very much up for debate.

Key's moment of horror contributes to latest off-colour showing

It wasn't that long ago Swans boss Williams, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, compared Josh Key to Wales legend Gareth Bale, such was the standard of his performances.

One would be hard-pressed to find anyone able to take that comparison remotely seriously at the moment. Indeed, he's actually looked out of sorts ever since those comments.

There's perhaps an argument that the full-back needs a rest, having played in each of Swansea's 27 Championship outings this season, starting all but four of them.

Then again, this isn't exactly a squad awash with too many alternatives at the moment.

It's harsh on the 25-year-old, who's clearly still a talented player. But he endured a nightmare moment here 22 minutes from time, losing his bearings as Ben Hamer's flighted ball came into the box, before desperately bundling over Tyrese Campbell, who coincidentally was a Swans transfer target in the summer.

Harrison Burrows stepped up to slot home, and that arguably sucked all the energy out of an evening that had previously been so brimming with promise.

Player ratings

Swansea City: Vigouroux 7; Key 4, Cabango 6, Darling 5, Tymon 5; Franco 6, Grimes (c) 7; Ronald 7, Cullen 7 (Naughton 59' 7), Peart-Harris 8 (Parker 87 N/A); Bianchini 5