The Blades made it three consecutive away victories this afternoon at Deepdale, by beating Preston North End 2-0.
Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie got on the scoresheet on Saturday afternoon where United made it nine games unbeaten in the league, heading into a two-week break.
Sheffield United made one change for the game with Brewster handed a start following his contribution in midweek, with Doyle dropping to the bench where he was joined by the fit-again, club legend, Billy Sharp.
United were quickly out of the blocks, fashioning two half chances in the opening five minutes. Firstly, Brewster latched on to Norwood’s dink over the top and with Woodman off his line the striker went for an instinctive lob himself, but it landed inches wide of the far post.
Baldock then caught Fernandez in possession and from his cross, McBurnie saw his volley hit the arm of Lindsay, but referee Simpson waved away appeals for a penalty.
On 33 minutes, Preston created a good chance, McCann broke down the right and from Parrott’s pass, Whiteman curled an effort just over the bar from 25 yards out. Ndiaye then headed wide from an Ahmedhodžić cross, before Parrott got in behind Basham and saw his shot deflected behind for a corner.
Ndiaye took full advantage of some indecision between Whiteman and Lindsay before keeping his composure and firing home. Shortly after, Berge surged into the area and delivered a ball for Ndiaye who was denied by Woodman.
The second half began and United picked up from where they’d left off before the break, but Baldock’s powerful effort was well wide of Woodman’s far post. Then as the hour mark approached, Brewster perhaps should have done better from inside the area, prior to Norwood almost catching Woodman out at his near post from a corner.
Paul Heckingbottom decided to make changes in the 69th minute. Doyle replaced Brewster and Preston made three changes of their own, including the introduction of former Blade, Ched Evans.
On 75 minutes, United doubled their lead, Berge took full advantage of a slip by Hughes and powered clear into the PNE box, then he teed up McBurnie who was jogging on the spot to tap into an empty net. United’s number 9 celebrated with the travelling fans behind the goal for which he was cautioned.
Having replaced McBurnie, Sharp’s first contribution was to win a free kick in a dangerous position but it came to nothing. Meanwhile, Foderingham’s first meaningful contribution at the other end maintained United’s two-goal cushion, as he produced a fine save to deny Browne.
The Blades maintain on top of the Championship.
Preston: Woodman, Fernández (Brady 69), Whiteman, Lindsay, Browne, McCann (Johnson 69), Storey, Parrott (Maguire 82), Hughes, Riis (Evans 69), Potts (Ledson 82).
Unused: Cunningham, Cornell.
Blades: Foderingham, Baldock, Basham, Brewster (Doyle 69), Berge, McBurnie (Sharp 82), Egan, Ahmedhodžić, Norwood, Ndiaye (Ndiaye 90), Norrington-Davies.
Unused: Amissah, Khadra, Gordon, Brooks.