Sheffield United 3-1 Coventry City: Blades Lay Marker Down as They Breeze Past In-Form Coventry | OneFootball

Sheffield United took advantage of playing earlier than Leeds United and Burnley as they hammered Coventry City 3-1 on Friday night to go top of the league.

Former Coventry star Gustavo Hamer opened the scoring with a spectacular free-kick which flew into the top right corner from around 30 yards out. Tyrese Campbell then made it 2-0 with a clinical first-time effort from close range. The Blades killed the game off in the second half with Rhian Brewster firing a shot into the top left corner from the edge of the box. The defenders won’t be pleased about conceding a messy goal late on as substitute Jack Rudoni made sure a clean sheet bonus would not be earned.

Chris Wilder named an unchanged side from the starting eleven which claimed derby delight at Hillsborough before the international break.

Lineups

Blades: Cooper, Brewster (O’Hare 69), Hamer, Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Brereton Diaz (Brooks 83), Campbell (Cannon 69), Choudhury (McCallum 88), Seriki (Gilchrist 88), Peck.

Unused: A. Davies, Holding, Moore, Rak-Sakyi.

Coventry: Dovin (Collins 38), Binks, Thomas, Grimes, Sakamoto, Allen (Sheaf 76), Mason-Clark (Paterson 76), Wright (Simms 76), Bidwell, Van Ewijk, Torp (Rudoni 62)

Unused: Wilson, Dasilva, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Bassette.

First Half

The game started off at an electric pace and it didn’t take long for Bramall Lane to erupt. Bobby Thomas’ foul on Hamer provided the catalyst for a moment of sheer brilliance. Brought down around 30 yards from goal, Gustavo Hamer stepped up with confidence and the resulting free-kick, in the 19th minute, was a thing of beauty and fans gasped as the ball curled perfectly over the wall, and nestled into the top-right corner.

The momentum continued to build, and by the half-hour mark, the team had doubled their lead. Femi Seriki showcased his skill and determination, riding a challenge before delivering a rapid ball across the box. Waiting at the perfect spot was Tyrese Campbell, whose instinctive first-time finish looked simple.

Campbell remained a constant threat, coming close on two more occasions after Coventry were forced into a goalkeeper change due to injury. His powerful header forced an impressive save as the goalkeeper tipped it over the bar, while another effort narrowly missed the far post.

Second Half

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 28: Rhian Brewster of Sheffield United scores his team’s third goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Coventry City FC at Bramall Lane on March 28, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The early moments of the second half were much quieter than the first period, and the visitors registered the first two shots on target of the second half with Torp and Wright drawing a save from Cooper. Two minutes after the hour mark, the home side struck again to all but seal the result. Rhian Brewster capitalised on a well-placed lay-off from Brereton Diaz, confidently sweeping the ball home. It was his second goal in as many games, marking the first time he had scored in consecutive matches since his loan spell at Swansea in July 2020.

O’Hare and Cannon entered the fray and made an impact, both coming close to finding the net. Choudhury forced Collins into a fine save to tip his powerful long range effort over the bar.

Despite the deficit, Coventry refused to back down and they pushed forward and were eventually rewarded for it in the 92nd minute when Jack Rudoni found the net, providing a consolation goal in an otherwise dominant display by Sheffield United.