This had the makings of an end-of-season fixture with nothing riding on it, a meeting of teams 17th and 14th in the Championship and destined to finish in mid-table.
Far from making this a dead rubber, however, the low stakes seemed to liberate both teams, who served up a treat.
Before the international break, Blades boss Chris Wilder said he was hurt by criticism suggesting his side “can’t wait for the season to finish”. His players seemed to take umbrage as well, judging by their enterprising display.
They led in the 16th minute when Hamer was given too much time and space to carry the ball from the left, he shifted it on to his right foot and guided a low shot from the edge of the area into the far corner.
Swansea were soon level, Franco driving into the box and getting to the ball before Davies, who clattered the Portuguese midfielder. Vipotnik sent the Wales keeper the wrong way with his penalty.
Davies redeemed himself with a superb save to deny the Slovenian striker soon afterwards, while his counterpart in the Swans’ goal, Lawrence Vigouroux, reacted smartly to thwart Patrick Bamford.
Hamer also squandered a golden chance to restore the Blades’ lead, but they soon had it as both teams continued to attack after the break.
Widdell thought he had scored his first goal for Swansea, but Bindon slid in to somehow keep the ball out of the net. Quick as a flash, Sheffield United surged upfield and Burrows powered a shot into the bottom far corner.
All three finishes for the Blades’ goals were of the highest order, though Swansea will be disappointed with their inability to deal with a simple long ball for the third, allowing Cannon to collect possession and pick his spot with a sweet long-range strike.
The visitors did not wilt, though. Jay Fulton’s pull-back found fellow substitute Idah, and he coolly steered his low finish into the net.
Idah then provided a similar assist to another of the Swans’ replacements, Eom, to smash the ball in for a well-earned point, much to the delight of the travelling supporters behind that goal.
