📝 Late goal gives Sheffield Utd lifeline in Nottingham Forest playoff semi | OneFootball

The Championship playoffs got underway this weekend as Luton hosted Huddersfield on Friday and Nottingham Forest travelled to Sheffield United.

Here’s how it went…

Berger’s late header gives Blades as lifeline despite loss to Forest

Scorers: Berger 90’+1; Colback 10′, Johnson 71′

Nottingham Forest will host the return leg of their playoff semi-final with a slender advantage as, despite goals from Jack Colback and Brennan Johnson, Sheffield United remain within touching distance.

The visitors took the lead within 10-minutes as Colback stroked home after Wes Foderingham had denied Johnson’s point-blank effort.

Sheffield United struggled with Forest’s early intensity and a combination of heroic goalkeeping and poor finishing kept the game close at half-time.

The second half was brighter for the Blades who started to see more of the ball but could not find the final touch to trouble Brice Samba.

Their chances of drawing level were dissipated in the 70th minute as second-half substitute Joe Lolley turned over possession deep in Sheffield’s half. Lolley’s attempt was blocked but following up, Johnson stroked home to double Forest’s advantage.

Forest will be running their missed opportunities when a combination of Sander Berger and Chris Basham headed over the line in stoppage time, with the first leg ending with a slender advantage to the visitors.

Luton and Huddersfield delicately balanced

Scorers: Bradley 30′; Sinani 12′

Huddersfield took an early lead through Danel Sinani before Luton captain, Sonny Bradley, drew the host’s level on the hour half mark.

Controversy was rife though as both teams had penalty appeals waved away.

Huddersfield will feel they should’ve had one in the opening 10 seconds of the encounter before referee Robert Jones waved away the hosts’ appeals as Naby Sarr brought down Cameron Jerome.

With no VAR in place for the semi-finals, neither decision was reviewed and Luton will travel north to Huddersfield with the tie still finely poised.