Sheffield United climbed to the top of the Championship table after seeing off Blackburn Rovers 3-0 at Bramall Lane.
Before kick-off, it was Rovers who stood proud at the top of the table despite a setback at Reading in midweek. United claimed their third successive home victory following a ferocious first-half free-kick from Oli Norwood, whilst substitute Illiman Ndiaye added a brace in the second half.
Last season the Blades faithful was left frustrated by the number of injuries that limited Paul Heckingbottom’s starting eleven week-in, week-out, however, following an intense summer recruitment program, the S2 club can bask in a rotational system which will compliment United’s style of play and ensure that quality can be replaced.
These changes ensured that the Bramall Lane side is a well-oiled machine which was emphasised as United swept aside league leaders Blackburn Rovers.
Heckingbottom, the former Barnsley boss had opted to make three changes from the side which had beaten Sunderland 2-1 in midweek. Reda Khadra, formerly at Blackburn made his full debut whilst John Fleck and Oli McBurnie were included in the starting line-up, replacing Rhian Brewster, James McAtee, and Ndiaye.
A controlled first half was met equally by a well-balanced second half which saw United add to their tally.
Despite his lack of goals, McBurnie, United’s number nine could not be faulted on effort and will have walked off the pitch puzzled as to how, try as he might, he did not end up on the scoresheet. He, or Rovers will have keeper Thomas Kaminski to thank, who thwarted the Scotland striker at every opportunity.
The Blades took the lead on 31 minutes through an unstoppable free-kick 25-yards from goal. Sander Berge and Norwood stood over the ball, analysing the Rovers wall. Time stood still as NORWOOD delicately lifted the ball over the wall with the keeper motionless as the ball flew into the top right corner.
The midfielder was goal hungry and moments after wheeling away in celebration, he assessed his resolve 30-yards from open play, but his long-range drive failed to hit the target but came close to causing Kaminski a problem.
On 73 minutes the lead was doubled when McBurnie refused to give up a lost cause. As the ball looked like running out of play, he swept the ball into the box, Berge’s shot was good but cannoned off the backside of substitute NDIAYE and into the net.
Six minutes later United’s route was complete after NDIAYE ran sixty yards of the pitch before his left-footed drive beautifully found the net via the post.