Sheffield United executed their strategy flawlessly in a decisive 3-0 victory over Bristol City during the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.
Harrison Burrows, who scored from the penalty spot, praised the team’s performance. “We mastered the game plan the gaffer came up with and it was spot on,” Burrows told Sky Sports.
In the early stages, Joe Williams nearly put Bristol City ahead with a powerful shot. However, Rob Dickie’s red card for fouling Kieffer Moore shifted the momentum. This incident allowed Burrows to score from the penalty spot, giving Sheffield United an advantage before halftime.
The Blades extended their lead in the 73rd minute when Burrows delivered a cross that Callum O’Hare cleverly let pass, enabling Andre Brooks to score. O’Hare later added another goal by flicking the ball past Max O’Leary, securing a commanding lead for Sheffield United.
O’Hare entered the match in the 67th minute and made an immediate impact by scoring within 12 minutes. His expected goals (xG) total of 0.48 was second only to Burrows’ 0.79. O’Hare explained his role: “I just had to carry on what the boys had started – we knew they had 10 men so we could put some pressure on them and try to score some goals.”
Despite their strong position, Burrows emphasised that Sheffield United must approach the second leg as if it’s a fresh start. “We’ve got to treat the second leg like it’s 0-0 and go from there,” he stated. The team aims to maintain focus and not become complacent with their current lead.
The Blades are set to host Bristol City at Bramall Lane on May 12 for the return leg. The Robins face a challenging task as they have not won at this venue since 2019. Both teams are determined to secure their place in the final, making for an exciting conclusion to this semi-final clash.
Reflecting on their season, Sheffield United’s players remain motivated despite missing out on automatic promotion due to two teams achieving 100 points each. They are eager to capitalise on their current form and advance further in the play-offs.
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