Sheffield United surely put at least a few toes in the Championship play-off final later this month after winning 3-0 away at Bristol City in the first leg of their semi-final this evening. The Blades have to finish the job in Monday’s second leg but have certainly broken the back of the job here.
The Blades went into the game looking to banish a miserable previous record in the play-offs and thought they had made a dream start when Tyrese Campbell got to the ball ahead of City goalkeeper Max O’Leary to put them 1-0 ahead, before a late, late offside flag cut short the celebrations which were well under way - both on the pitch and in the away end.
City rallied and went close when Joe Williams’ thunderous effort rattled the Blades crossbar before another big referee decision altered the course of the game, with Rob Dickie sent off for the second time against the Blades this season when he bundled over Kieffer Moore.
Harrison Burrows stepped up and converted from the spot before adding an assist for Andre Brooks’ second, with the Blades fans sent into dreamland when sub Callum O’Hare added a third from close range. Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players on an evening to remember at Ashton Gate...
5. Harrison Burrows - 8
The left-back replaced McCallum on a ground he has fond personal memories after his late, late winner on United's last visit here back in November and got on the scoresheet again on the stroke of half-time as he calmly slotted away his penalty to give the Blades the lead. Later added an assist for good measure when his cross picked out Brooks at the back post and you can't ask much more from your left back than that sort of impact going forward Photo: George Wood
6. Rhian Brewster - 6
Lined up on the right as United shifted shape slightly to accommodate two out-and-out strikers but that brought with it more defensive responsibility for Brewster and aside from an early opening which saw Bird get some space in the United box, he stuck to that side of the game diligently. A brilliant reverse pass sent Campbell clear and should have given Brewster an assist, but a horribly mishit cross sailed over O'Leary's crossbar and summed up an up-and-down evening for the United man before he was replaced by Brooks | Getty Images
7. Vinícius Souza - 7.5
I was just writing in his rating that it wasn't an eye-catching display from the big Brazilian but a vital one as he and Peck controlled midfield and kept City at bay, while keeping a good tempo against 10 men, when he popped up to set up United's third goal to send the Unitedites behind that goal delirious. One was carted out after his celebrations as Souza pleaded for mercy but he had already seen his side do the damage and surely put one foot into a Wembley final Photo: Cody Froggatt
8. Sydie Peck - 7
Had an impact in what United thought was the opening goal but not one that he would have hoped for as he was flagged offside at the back post - eventually - after being deemed to have interfered in Knight's attempts to clear the ball from Campbell's header. Almost made amends later on when his deflected effort looked to be dropping below O'Leary's crossbar before the City keeper recovered to tip it over, and his desperate attempts to get off the mark for the Blades saw him go so, so close in the second half after good work from Moore and Brewster. His first goal is surely coming - and when it does, there'll be some celebration from the young man. Replaced by Tom Davies | Sportimage