Sheffield United put pressure on their early promotion rivals again this evening with a dominant 3-0 victory over Oxford United at Bramall Lane. The Blades eased to three points courtesy of goals from Callum O’Hare and Tyrese Campbell in the first half, and loan star Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the second.
The margin of victory could have been more but for some decent saves from visiting goalkeeper Jamie Cumming while Gus Hamer somehow didn’t get his name on the scoresheet with three great efforts saved or blocked, although he did get two assists to cement his reputation as one of the best players in the division. Here’s how we rated United’s players ...
5. Sam McCallum 7
Another of three changes down the left flank with Burrows on the bench, McCallum impressed with an energetic display and once again demonstrated one of the highest leaps from a standing start I can remember in a United shirt. Ended the game in a more advanced role after Norrington-Davies' introduction before making way late on to give Tom Davies some minutes | Getty Images
6. Vini Souza 7
The Brazilian was a class above against Oxford and the gulf showed as he and Peck controlled the middle of the park | Getty Images
7. Sydie Peck 7
Continued his audition to replace Arblaster for the long-term with another decent display in the middle of the park, before being replaced by Norrington-Davies Photo: Andrew Yates
8. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi 7
So good on Saturday but then really quiet in the first half here as United struggled to get the ball out wide to him, leaving him a tad isolated on the right flank as Hamer and O'Hare dominated out left. Had a chance to change that early in the second half when O'Hare played him into space in the box but his finish was poor as he smashed wide. Made amends soon after with an emphatic strike from Hamer's pass and that was his final real action as he was replaced by Brooks Photo: Joe Kelly