Reading 0-1 Sheffield United: Royals blunted as Blades continue Championship promotion push

READING FC were unable to preserve their formidable home record as Sheffield United continued their push for a Premier League return.

Needing a swift response after their hammering at Middlesbrough, the Royals more than held their own throughout a goalless first-half.

But it was the Blades who drew first blood when Illiman Ndiaye met Oli McBurnie’s cut back to put them ahead after an hour.

Despite coming close, Reading were unable to provide a response and were dealt just their fourth home defeat of the campaign.

The defeat leaves Reading in 15th on 44 points from 35 games with a six point deduction set to be announced in the coming days.

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Paul Ince made four changes from the 5-0 thrashing at Middlesbrough.

He reverted to a five at the back formation as Joe Lumley returned in goal, while Nesta Guinness-Walker was selected to start at left wing-back.

There was also a place in the matchday squad for former club captain Liam Moore for the first time this season.

The Blades lined up with plenty of quality throughout their squad which saw former Royals Oliver Norwood and Jayden Bogle start, while prolific Championship scorer Billy Sharp was named on the bench.

Tom Ince had the first effort of the game as he was given room by the Blades defence to drift into the box, but he scuffed his shot just wide of the far post.

United’s first shot came from Oli McBurnie who fought in the air to get on the end of Chris Basham’s cross, but he could only manage a tame header that was comfortably collected by Lumley.

Reading grew into the game and troubled the visitors on a few occasions with some neatly worked counter attacks.

United showed they still posed a threat when Sander Berge took aim from 20 yards with a curling shot that was parried behind by Lumley.

A swift counter from the Royals was led by Ince and Shane Long before Nesta Guinness-Walker swung in a cross towards Andy Yiadom that went well wide of the target.

Yiadom and Ince were both booked towards the end of the half.

The Royals showed more promise in the final five minutes of the half and almost had a great opening with Long free at the back post, but Ince couldn’t keep his cross away from goalkeeper Wes Foderginham who intercepted.

Ince attempted a wonderstrike from more than 25 yards out that flew just past the top left hand corner as the team’s went into the break goalless.

The Royals looked to keep their threat on the counter and almost pounced when Ince burst down the left and tried to pick out an unmarked Andy Carroll only to have his path blocked by John Egan.

With half an hour left on the clock, the Blades broke the deadlock when Illiman Ndiaye squeezed the ball in from close range after latching onto McBurnie’s cut back.

The goal ignited the Blades into life and they almost grabbed a second with McBurnie lurking at the back post, but Lumley was brave to beat him to the ball and put it behind for a corner.

The Blades kept applying the pressure and forced Naby Sarr to be alert to prevent the ball finding McBurnie alone in the box.

Reading pushed for a response when the ball fell for Yiadom to strike and he hit a fierce effort that flew just past the top corner.

Still needing a goal to get level, Ince made his first change as Lucas Joao replaced Long up top.

The Royals continued to fight when Guinness-Walker whipped in a pinpoint cross for Carroll to send a bullet header towards goal, but Foderingham was equal to it to keep it out.

Another change saw Femi Azeez take the place of Guinness-Walker for the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Lumley kept Reading in the game when he denied Sharp from doubling the visitors’ advantage in the 83rd minute.