Daniel Farke hailed Norwich City’s endurance levels but admitted Sheffield United’s winner was a self-inflicted blow in their Premier League relegation scrap.

Billy Sharp rose unmarked to power home John Lundstram's first half cross to seal a 1-0 home win and continue a miserable run on the road in the league for the Canaries.

Norwich have now scored one goal in the past six away league games but remained six points from safety after defeats for their chief relegation rivals.

City were unable to follow up a magnificent FA Cup penalty shoot out midweek victory at Tottenham, but Farke refused to offer that as an excuse for a toothless offering at Bramall Lane.

"We are disappointed. We wanted at least a point to keep our run going and win some valuable points in the fight to stay in this league," he said. "Performance-wise if I am honest after 120 minutes at Tottenham I cannot ask for any more.

"In all the statistics we were better. More possession, more shots, more shots on target, we won 50pc of our duels and 60pc of our aerial duels.

"But that proves why football is not about statistics because the only one that counts is the goals. It is about effectiveness.

"The first 20 was a close game. Teemu (Pukki) had a great chance and hits the post from four yards. They put a lot of pressure on us in wide areas and crossing situations and after about 20 minutes we reacted in the wrong way.

"You might want to dig in and have numbers in the centre of the box to defend but that is exactly what you cannot do against Sheffield United.

"It is important you press on or they always create an overload on the wings and many crosses.

"Look at the goal. We had three against two in the box but we were not switched on. We had to be braver and put the ball in their half.

"We took an unbelievable amount of risk in the second half. I don't remember a save for Tim Krul. I still don't know how we didn't score at the other end with Mario (Vrancic) and Josip (Drmic).

"It would have changed the whole story. Then everyone would have said great character, great comeback. But because we didn't bring the ball into the rectangle it will be about a big setback in the relegation fight.

"You have to handle that. Stay calm, stay level headed.

"We had two victories this week and another point here would have made it a perfect week.

"We have to travel with no points and we will be disappointed for a couple of days but then we must keep going."