Sheffield United seized control of their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final by beating 10-man Bristol City 3-0 at Ashton Gate. Harrison Burrows gave the Blades the lead from the penalty spot just before the break, and substitutes Andre Brooks and Callum O’Hare punished tiring hosts in the final quarter.
The tie’s defining moment came in first-half stoppage time with a huge dollop of controversy as Rob Dickie hauled down Kieffer Moore, who was through on goal. Dickie saw red against United for the second time this season, although home fans might have argued it was a genuine attempt to play the ball and a yellow card was enough punishment. Burrows inflicted double pain with a confident spot-kick, with Brooks and O’Hare adding further gloss in the space of six minutes to leave United fans already dreaming of Wembley ahead of Monday’s second leg at Bramall Lane.
City were making a first appearance in the Championship play-offs 17 years on from losing a Wembley final to Hull. The Robins had finished the season in sixth place and 22 points behind the Blades, who had become the third side in Championship history to reach 90 points and fail to win automatic promotion.
United thought they had taken the lead after 11 minutes when Moore helped on Jack Robinson’s long throw. Tyrese Campbell beat home goalkeeper Max O’Leary to the dropping ball, but Sydie Peck was adjudged to be offside upon tangling with Jason Knight as the ball trickled over the line. City responded to that scare by rattling the Blades crossbar four minutes later, Joe Williams’ clean strike from 22 yards leaving Michael Cooper groping at thin air.
The Robins were enjoying far more of the possession, but United carried the greater attacking threat. O’Leary excelled twice in the same Blades attack, batting away Campbell’s shot and pushing over Peck’s deflected drive from distance, and Moore fired tamely at him. Neither side would have been too unhappy with a goalless first period, but City were not to recover from conceding a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time.
Campbell’s header released Moore and referee Oliver Langford felt Dickie’s desperate challenge was worthy of a penalty and banishment. Burrows stepped up to send O’Leary the wrong way and convert with ease, and the second half was largely a case of attack versus defence.
Peck went close before Burrows scampered down the left and delivered a cross that O’Hare and Moore left for Brooks to smash home. Fellow substitute O’Hare settled the game – and probably the tie – 11 minutes from time by touching home Anel Ahmedhodzic’s header from about a yard out.
Sheffield United’s manager Chris Wilder was adamant that the job was not done yet, acknowledging that Bristol City had their moments early in the match. “No job done,” he insisted afterwards. “Their fans were really good, gave them an incredible amount of energy for the first 15, 20 minutes. For me, our fans have got to do that for our players, 100 percent. We need their energy.”
Wilder’s comments came after an impressive performance that left the Blades in a strong position heading into the return leg. The Blades, who had reached 90 points in the Championship without automatic promotion, were looking to finally break their cycle of playoff disappointments.
On the other hand, Bristol City coach Liam Manning expressed his frustration with the officiating, particularly regarding the red card issued to Dickie. “We flagged concerns about his performance level,” Manning said. “He’s given previous reds that are incorrect and that’s another one tonight.”
The match had its share of drama, with Dickie’s red card being the sixth shown by referee Langford this season, raising eyebrows among fans and players alike. Manning felt that the decision was too harsh, especially given the stakes of the match.
Despite the setback, Bristol City had their chances, with Joe Williams striking the bar from 25 yards before being forced off with an ankle injury. The Robins will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the daunting task of overcoming a three-goal deficit in the second leg.
As the match progressed, the Blades began to assert their dominance, showcasing their attacking prowess while the Robins struggled to find their rhythm. The turning point came with Burrows’ penalty, which shifted the momentum squarely in Sheffield United’s favor.
With Brooks and O’Hare adding to the scoreline, it became increasingly clear that the Blades were on the path to Wembley. The return leg promises to be a tense affair, with both teams aware of the high stakes involved.
Looking ahead, Sheffield United will be eager to maintain their form and secure a place in the final, while Bristol City will need to summon all their resolve to turn the tie around. The Blades’ impressive display has set the stage for what could be a historic playoff run, but as Wilder noted, the job is far from complete.
Fans are already buzzing with anticipation for the return leg at Bramall Lane, where the atmosphere is expected to be electric. With the stakes higher than ever, both teams will bring their A-game, making for a thrilling conclusion to this playoff saga.
As the dust settles on this match, one thing is clear: Sheffield United have taken a significant step towards the Championship playoff final, but in football, anything can happen. Will the Blades secure their long-awaited promotion, or will Bristol City mount a remarkable comeback? Only time will tell.
