Sheffield United 3-0 Bristol City [6-0 agg]: Blades turn on the style to end Robins’ play-off dreams | OneFootball

Sheffield United cruised into the Championship Play-Off Final with a commanding 3-0 win over Bristol City at Bramall Lane, sealing a 6-0 aggregate victory and delivering the most one-sided semi-final in second-tier play-off history.

A first-half header from Kieffer Moore gave The Blades further breathing room before second-half strikes from Gus Hamer and substitute Callum O’Hare put the result beyond any lingering doubt. For Bristol City, a second straight defeat to nil brought an end to their campaign – their first play-off appearance since 2008.

As it happened

Bristol City began with the kind of intensity they had briefly shown in the first leg before Rob Dickie’s red card curtailed their momentum. Once again they pressed high and looked to play on the front foot, but key moments fell frustratingly short. Scott Twine sent a low shot wide of the near post, while a sharp cut-back from the right was left by Twine and intercepted before it could do damage. Jason Knight’s powerful long-range effort was another example of ambition outpacing execution.

At the other end, The Blades continued to offer the occasional sharp reminder of their threat. Gus Hamer’s whipped cross narrowly evaded Andre Brooks, and a long throw from Jack Robinson created a half-chance for Harrison Burrows, whose deflected effort spun wide.

The deadlock was broken five minutes before the break. A set-piece again proved Bristol City’s undoing as Moore rose highest from a corner, beating Max O’Leary in The Robins net to nod home and take United’s aggregate lead to 5-0.

The second half followed a now-familiar pattern. Bristol City emerged from the break with energy but lacked the quality and cohesion to sustain it. Sheffield United, in contrast, played with the control of a side who knew their job was all but complete, happy to absorb pressure and wait for opportunities.

Just six minutes into the second period, they had their second. A cleverly worked corner routine saw Burrows pull the ball back for Brooks, whose effort was parried into the path of Hamer. The Dutch-born midfielder wasted no time, striking crisply from the edge of the area via a deflection off McRorie to make it 2-0 on the night.

The Robins continued to look for a foothold but were met with resistance and resilience. George Tanner came closest to a consolation, letting fly from distance with a well-struck drive that clipped Vini Souza and seemed destined for the top corner – until Michael Cooper tipped it wide, determined to protect his clean sheet.

There was still time for one final moment of flair. Tyrese Campbell, introduced from the bench, curled in a low cross from the left that Burrows deftly stepped over, allowing Callum O’Hare to arrive and lash home for the second time in four days.

As full-time approached, the mood around Bramall Lane turned from dominant to devotional. The players gathered with a Greek flag in tribute to recently passed teammate George Baldock, while his Starman song rang around the stands. Embraces, applause and a collective exhale marked the end of a long and emotional journey back to Wembley.

This was Sheffield United at their most complete: ruthless in attack, disciplined in defence, and deeply connected to the supporters who have ridden every moment with them. The Blades head to the capital just one game away from a Premier League return. For Bristol City, a promising and similarly emotional season ends in deflation – but perhaps also with the experience to build upon.

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