Sheffield United produced one of their most complete performances of the season on Saturday, sweeping past Stoke City 4-0 at Bramall Lane to stretch their unbeaten run and climb further away from the relegation zone.
The Blades took a deserved early lead when Mark McGuinness powered home an unchallenged header from Gustavo Hamer’s whipped corner. United were firmly in control from the outset, and McGuinness almost repeated the feat before the half-hour mark, once again losing his marker from a set-piece.
United’s dominance was rewarded again shortly after, when another corner was only half-cleared to Femi Seriki on the edge of the area. The young right-back took a touch to steady himself before bending a superb strike beyond Viktor Johansson for his first senior goal for the club.
Seriki wasn’t done there. Minutes later, he turned creator for United’s third. Reacting quickest to Sydie Peck’s delicate ball over the top, he surged down the right flank and delivered a perfect cross for Patrick Bamford, who guided his header into the far corner.
United’s fourth arrived on 77 minutes from the penalty spot. In-form midfielder Sydie Peck, full of confidence, made no mistake to net his third goal in as many games. The spot-kick was earned thanks to a dazzling run from Brooks, who combined sharply with Tyrese Campbell.
The victory lifts United to five points above the relegation zone and just eight off the top six, as momentum continues to build under Chris Wilder.
Chris Wilder Delighted With Ruthless Sheffield United Display
Manager Chris Wilder was full of praise for his side’s control and ruthlessness, he told SUTV:
“It was a really good, open game of football. We found some quality to get ourselves in the lead and I’m delighted with how we controlled the game, especially second half,” Wilder said. “Even at 4-0 I was screaming that we had to keep our discipline. Stoke have had a great start, and this shows the competitiveness of the division.”
He added, “People inside the ground might have thought this would be a close game, and it looks like it wasn’t, but we had to fight and earn that opportunity. We don’t want to take a backward step now… Our ruthless approach must continue.”
Wilder confirmed that Ben Mee has undergone minor hand surgery after taking another knock during the week, but the defender is expected to return within 7-10 days.
On Mark McGuinness, who was substituted late on, Wilder revealed: “He just turned his ankle over. We’ll assess that over the next 24 hours.”
Sheffield United return to Bramall Lane on Tuesday night, hosting 23rd-placed Norwich City as they look to extend their excellent run and continue climbing the Championship table.
