Sheffield United ease past Bristol City and into Championship play-off final by record margin
Sheffield United are one win away from ending their play-off hoodoo after booking their place in the Sky Bet Championship final with a record-breaking semi-final demolition of Bristol City.
The Blades will meet Sunderland or Coventry at Wembley after a 6-0 aggregate victory over the Robins – the biggest winning margin in Championship play-off semi-final history.
After doing the heavy lifting in Thursday's first leg at Ashton Gate, where they won 3-0, they finished the job on home soil thanks to goals from Kieffer Moore, Gus Hamer and Callum O'Hare.
They will be hoping it is 10th time lucky, having lost in their previous nine play-off encounters, which has included three Championship finals.
None of those have been under boss Chris Wilder, though, and he is eyeing a third promotion with his boyhood club.
For long parts of the season it looked like the Blades would go up automatically until Leeds and Burnley ran away with it, but they regrouped well in time for the play-off semi-finals and can now turn their attention to Wembley in 12 days time.
This was a bridge too far for Bristol City and they were unable to repair the damage from Thursday's first leg against a team they finished 22 points behind in the league.
The Robins had no option other than to go for it in the early stages as they tried to make inroads to their first-leg deficit.
George Earthy flashed an effort just wide in just the second minute before Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason Knight tested goalkeeper Michael Cooper with a low effort from distance.
But the Blades held firm and as the first half wore on they began to take control.
In the 34th minute Andre Brooks could not connect with Hamer's cross while Harrison Burrows saw a deflected effort fizz just wide.
And a promising spell of pressure was rewarded when the hosts went in front to well and truly kill the tie.
Moore was the man who inflicted the damage, heading Burrows' corner past Irish-qualified Max O'Leary from close range.
Hamer made it 2-0 on the night shortly as a clever corner routine saw him with time and space on the edge of the area, with his shot deflecting off Haydon Roberts.
Tyrese Campbell almost made it 3-0 shortly after coming off the bench when he fizzed an effort just wide and as the Blades wanted to make it a night to remember.
Another substitute, O'Hare, got on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute with a fine goal. Campbell burst down the left, Burrows cleverly stepped over his cross, allowing O'Hare to sweep home.
It meant the night ended in celebration for the Blades, who paid an emotional tribute to their former player George Baldock, following his tragic death in October after drowning in a swimming pool in Greece.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
22 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Ben Healy denied second Tour de France stage win on legendary Mont Ventoux
Ben Healy produced an astonishing climb up the legendary Mont Ventoux but was denied a second stage victory of this year's Tour de France by two bike lengths. The 24-year-old EF Education-EasyPost rider chased down Enric Mas on the upper slopes of the 'Bald Mountain' - the scene of some of the Tour's most famous moments. The Birmingham-born Irish cyclist was pipped on the line by French favourite Valentin Paret-Peintre in the final metres of the 171.5-kilometre stage that started in Montpellier and finished on the bare roads leading to the renowned observatory. A typically aggressive ride from Healy saw him battling to the line with Mas, Ilan Van Wilder, Santiago Buitrago and Soudal Quick-Step rider Paret-Peintre. Healy and Paret-Peintre broke from the others in the last few hundred metres and it was the home rider who won out in the final moments of another exciting stage. Healy gained one place in the general classification, jumping Carlos Rodriguez to take ninth spot. Race leader Tadej Pogacar finished fifth, 43 seconds back, gaining two seconds on his closest rival Jonas Vingegaard. Last week Healy became the fourth Irish cyclist to wear the famous Yellow Jersey, leading the Tour de France for two days, having won Stage 6 before taking the lead with a third-place finish on Bastille Day.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Ryder Cup returns to Spain as Denis O'Brien-owned Camiral Golf confirmed for 2031 edition
GOLF'S most prestigious team competition is heading to Spain in 2031. Advertisement 2 Camiral Golf & Wellness in Girona, Spain will stage the Ryder Cup in 2031 2 The stunning Spanish track is owned by Irish businessman Denis O'Brien The course, which is now owned by Irish businessman It will mark the Ryder Cup's return to Spanish soil for the first time since 1997. The venue is widely regarded as one - if not the best - golf course in Spain. It's now known as Camiral Golf & Wellness, with the resort located near Girona, which is just outside Barcelona. Advertisement read more on golf Located in the heart of the Costa Brava, the resort offers two world-class golf courses and a range of top-tier facilities unmatched by any other golf venue in the country. Guests can tee it up on the striking and challenging Stadium Course or enjoy a more relaxed round on the Tour Course, while the cutting-edge Golf Hub provides state-of-the-art training and analysis for players of all levels. Camiral is part of the Quinta do Lago group and has staged top-level events in the past, including three editions of the Open de España (2000, 2009, 2014) and the 1999 Sarazen World Open. It has also hosted numerous editions of the DP World Tour's end-of-season Qualifying School. Advertisement Most read in Golf O'Brien also owns the Quinta do Lago South, North and Laranjal courses in Portugal's Algarve. Scottie Scheffler wins The Open and kisses wife Meredith in emotional celebrations He said: 'Hosting The Ryder Cup is the realisation of a long-held dream to bring golf's greatest sporting event to Catalonia and Spain. 'For the communities of Girona, Costa Brava and Barcelona. Advertisement "It will create immediate economic benefits, driving high value golf and leisure tourism in the years leading up to The 2031 Ryder Cup, and a long-lasting legacy built on the reputation of hosting one of the greatest sporting events in the world. 'We would like to thank the Catalan and Spanish Government and the Spanish Golf Federation for all of their support and we look forward to continuing our great relationship with the Ryder Cup Committee.' Irish owned course will host the next two editions of the European staging of the team event, with JP McManus' Adare Manor being the venue for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Louth councillors back intervention for Palestinian boxing trip
The trip to Ireland is set to include a 'whistle stop' visit to Drogheda, where Cllr, Eric Donovan, a former international boxer, is hoping to lead a training session for the boxers from the West Bank and the Aida refugee camp in Palestine. Cllr. Donovan told the meeting that the group are looking forward to taking part in the event organised by Irish Sport for Palestine, which will includes male and female boxers, and both youth and senior competitors. A key part of the trip will see the group hosted by Irish Olympic champion Kellie Harrington in Dublin. "Potentially, this will be a fantastic opportunity for the Palestinian boxers to train with and learn from some of the best boxers in the world,' said Cllr. Donovan. 'It will also give them a temporary break from the constant bombardment of their country.' But pre-planning for the event has been overshadowed by fears over a delay in securing visas for the group. Cllr. Donovan submitted an emergency motion at the council meeting, saying: "Following the disappointing VISA administration debacle faced by GAA Palestine over the past few weeks and the resulting heartbreak of the children and sponsors involved in the project to bring kids from Palestine to play GAA in Ireland, I am calling on this Council to write to the Minister of Justice, Jim O'Callaghan to ensure that there is no similar administrative delay by the Department of Justice when Ireland welcomes the young Palestinian Boxing team from the Aida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem.' He said that only five of the group of 16 have had their visas approved, only because they hold non-Palestinian passports, and explained that all preparations on the Irish side, including garda vetting has taken place. Cllr. Donovan outlined to councillors that Irish Sport advocates for the Palestinian through sport and various fundraising events, which have helped to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine. The group has formed the Shamrock and Olive Tree Boxing project, which is planning the trip for boxers from Palestine and from Ramallah in the West Bank, to Waterford, Dublin and Louth before they head north to Belfast. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'One of the boxers is the Olympian Waseem Abu Sal, a world champion boxer, he is an Olympic athlete so to think that he is still waiting for approval.. my mind boggles,' said Cllr. Donovan. He asked councillors to write to the Minister to 'ensure this event is brought to a smooth fruition, and there is no repeat of what happened with GAA Palestine.' Cllr. Donovan added: ' An old coach of mine used to say that sport can change the world, and that there is nothing more uniting than sport, so I think it is extremely important that we extend the hand of friendship and solidarity with those who need it most.' Speaking after the meeting, Cllr. Donovan said: 'I want to thank all the councillors across the chamber as they supported my motion for the Council to write to Minister Jim O'Callaghan to ensure there is no repeat of the visa debacle leaving more heartbreak with young Palestinians. They have enough to contend with.'
