A quickfire late double saw Sheffield United beat a managerless Reading and move up to third in the Championship.
Billy Sharp put Sheffield United ahead from Chris Basham’s cross in the 83rd minute and three minutes later, an own goal from Sam Baldock secured all three points for Chris Wilder’s side.
It was just a second league victory in six games for Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, who are five points behind second-placed Leeds United. But the victory wasn’t a comfortable one for the Blades as they had to work really hard to get all the points against Reading.
Wilder named Billy Sharp on the bench alongside Mark Duffy as he recalled John Lundstram and Conor Washington to the starting line-up. Wilder’s men had two first-half goals correctly ruled out for offside, with Conor Washington and David McGoldrick both denied.
Washington was flagged offside when he strayed beyond the last man to nod home John Egan’s flick-on from a corner, while McGoldrick’s goal was disallowed after he converted George Baldock’s cross. Otherwise, McGoldrick had a golden opportunity to give United the lead after he was set free by a wonderful pass from Oliver Norwood. McGoldrick tried to lob the ball over the advancing Anssi Jaakkola, but miscued his effort and sent it straight into the grateful hands of the Reading goalkeeper.
Wilder tried to change the dynamics of the game by introducing Mark Duffy for Lundstram at half-time. And United started the second half with positivity and intent; McGoldrick tested Jaakkola with a well-taken short and from the resulting corner, Basham saw his header cleared off the line by Chris Gunter.
Yet, Sheffield United did go ahead seven minutes from time as substitute Sharp beat the offside trap to convert George Baldock’s delivery at the back post. And Wilder’s men guaranteed three points a few minutes later when Sam Baldock misjudged John Fleck’s corner and headed past his own goalkeeper.
Following a much-needed victory, here is how some Sheffield United fans reacted on Twitter.
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