Match report: Blades hammer Reading 4-0 to go top

Sheffield United hammered Reading 4-0 on Tuesday night to regain top spot in the league. They have now won all of their home games so far.

 

Heckingbottom made two changes for the midweek encounter. Ahmedhodžić returned to the starting XI, whilst Doyle was handed his full debut, as Basham and McAtee dropped to the bench.

United started brightly and Doyle almost found an opportunity after two step overs from McBurnie and then Ndiaye. Norwood then fired a free kick narrowly over Lumley’s crossbar, but on 11 minutes the Blades deservedly hit the front as McBurnie got across Sarr to head home powerful at the near post with Lowe claiming the assist.

 

The home side continued to pile numbers forward and look a live threat with every attack. Doyle was at the heart of the build-up but McBurnie saw a deflected effort saved before Ndiaye had a shot blocked after McBurnie’s header into his path from Norwood’s deep cross.

Reading threatened briefly but Norrington-Davies had to make a timely intervention as Joao advanced towards goal, before Ince dragged an effort wide after McIntyre had won a couple of 50/50 challenges. But before half time, Ndiaye had a golden chance to make it two, only to pull his effort wide after more excellent work by Doyle in midfield.

 

The second half got off to the perfect start for the Blades as Ahmedhodzic volleyed home unmarked from close-range from Doyle’s pinpoint corner from the right and shortly after the hour the three points were secured by that man Ndiaye with a trademark left-footed curling effort from the edge of the area after Norrington-Davies, Lowe and lastly Berge had capitalised on Loum’s misplaced pass.

The Senegalese international received a standing ovation from the terraces as he was replaced by Khadra, as did McBurnie moments later as Brewster entered the field. Doyle almost capped an impressive full debut with a goal in front of the Kop but he fired over from Baldock’s pull back and that was the last action for both as Basham and McAtee were introduced.

 

The last of United two substitutes almost combined for a fourth, but Lumley tipped over Basham’s back post header from McAtee’s inviting centre from the left. But in the 81st minute, the fourth goal duly arrived and it was a second for Ahmedhodzic, with a great header from Norwood’s perfectly weighted cross.

Blades: Foderingham, Baldock (Basham 79), McBurnie (Brewster 69), Egan, Lowe, Ahmedhodžić, Norwood, Doyle (McAtee 79), Ndiaye (Khadra 67), Norrington-Davies.

Unused: Amissah, Arblaster, Jebbison.

Reading: Lumley, Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre, Hendrick, Joao (Long 60), Ince, Yiadom, Loum (Craig 82), Hoilett, Sarr (Fornah 45).

Unused: Bouzanis, Long, Guiness-Walker, Abrefa, Ehibhatiomhan.