Sheffield United's margin of victory over Reading was slender but the win is huge
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But Sheffield United’s players and coaching staff also knew that points, not passionate rallying cries or well-meaning platitudes, are the most precious commodity in Championship football. In front of the watching Dozy Mmobuosi, the man who hopes to become their new owner, the second placed visitors claimed a win which moves them seven clear of Middlesbrough in third.
The margin of victory might have been slender. But in the grand scheme of the race for the Premier League, this was a mighty huge result.
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Hide AdTom Ince was the home side’s talisman. Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie beavered away tirelessly at the other end of the pitch. But in terms of a spectacle, this was pretty poor fayre until United’s attacking double act combined to break the deadlock following the interval.
Having spent the best part of an hour dominating possession but failing to do enough with it, a wonderful display of industry from the indefatigable McBurnie finally changed all that. Hunting down Jayden Bogle’s pass and preventing it from going out, he then took a split second to consider the possibilities before crossing for Ndiaye who duly claimed his 12th goal since August from close-range.
One of Heckingbottom’s most influential performers, the 45-year-old will be hoping the injury which required him to be substituted soon after is not serious.
If you believe everything you read, United have faced more ‘pivotal moments’ than a rhythmic gymnast throughout the course of a campaign which saw them arrive at the Select Car Leasing Stadium supposedly in danger of surrendering their grip on a top two finish. But even Heckingbottom, who makes no attempt whatsoever to hide his disdain for hyperbolic nonsense, admitted last night’s contest both looked and felt like a hugely important game. With Mmobuosi’s presence in the stands only adding to the sense of occasion, United might not have been at their fluid best. But the outcome was more important than the aesthetics of the display.
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Hide AdMaking one change to the starting eleven beaten by Blackburn Rovers in their previous outing, Heckingbottom’s men betrayed no obvious signs of tension or nervousness during the early skirmishes with Ndiaye and McBurnie, supported by the returning James McAtee, both looking lively.
Despite finding themselves in the lower reaches of the table, Reading actually boast one of the division’s strongest home records and so it was no surprise to see them cause several problems themselves either side of an Ince shot which flew wide of Wes Foderingham’s far post.
But it was United, after being forced to scramble clear on a couple of occasions, who carved the better openings with Joe Lumley saving from McBurnie and Sander Berge. The latter’s curling attempt seemed destined to creep into the bottom corner of the net until the goalkeeper’s outstretched palm turned it away to safety.
Ndiaye handed United the lead they just about deserved but Reading responded, with Foderingham flinging himself through the air to divert Andy Carroll’s header. United substitute Billy Sharp drew an equally fine block from Lumley, with a first time effort.