Blades beat Coventry to go level on points at top

Sheffield United went level on points with Championship leaders Burnley as they beat Coventry City at Bramall Lane.

Championship leading marksman Viktor Gyokeres, who had a penalty saved by Wes Foderingham when the score was still only 1-0, pulled one back when his side were 3-0 down.

And the hosts had to play a man short for 17 minutes when John Egan was sent off for a second yellow card after being turned by Gyokeres.

But the Blades saw it out to move level on 47 points with Burnley, who host Birmingham City on Tuesday night at Turf Moor.

Defeat came at a further cost for Coventry, who had midfield schemer Callum O’Hare stretchered off after going down awkwardly in only the fifth minute.

It still took until the 35th minute for the Blades to go ahead in a move that emanated straight from a Coventry corner.

Foderingham’s long punt forward was flicked on, Iliman Ndiaye sprayed a pass out to the right – and on-loan forward McAtee ran on to steer home right-footed for only his second goal in professional football.

After Sky Blues’ Jonathan Panzo had a header go just wide, the visitors had a great chance to level when Jake Bidwell went down under a challenge from Anel Ahmedhodzic.

But Gyokeres, the Sky Blues’ spot-kick matchwinner in their pre-Christmas win over West Brom, struck a poor penalty.

This one was low but too close to Foderingham, who did not have to move too far to his right to save. And City were made to pay when the hosts doubled their lead.

Panzo fouled Oliver Norwood on the right, the Blades midfielder took the resulting free-kick himself and curled over a neat ball from which former Aston Villa defender Clark rose unmarked at the far post to head his first goal for the club.

Max Lowe then reacted well to Ndiaye’s low cross, playing the ball back across goal from the left for Doyle to steer home, also his first goal for the Blades.

At 3-0 up, with still 19 minutes left, two more goals for the Blades would have taken them back to the top above Burnley on goal difference.

But that notion was quickly forgotten when Gyokeres powerfully headed home Gus Hamer’s left-wing cross for his 12th league goal of the campaign. And the Blades were then further stymied when Gyokeres was blocked by Egan – and the home defender received his second yellow card of the afternoon.

Who’s next?

Both sides are back in action in Thursday’s programme of evening games when Sheffield United are at Blackpool and Coventry, who have dropped to 11th, host Cardiff City.

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom:

“Coventry are in a real good run of form, it was hard fought and we knew it was going to be tough.

“But it was a big save from Wes Foderingham and, from that moment on, we looked comfortable and could have and should have had more.

“We’re looking to get Oli McBurnie back fit as quickly as possible, performing as he was before he got his injury.”

Coventry City manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

“The first goal was poor. If you allow someone with the quality of Iliman Ndiaye the time and space he’s going to hurt you.

“Even when the penalty was saved, I still thought we could find a way back into the game.

“Losing Callum O’Hare so early on had a knock-on effect. He was a big miss for us. I’m fearing the worst but hoping for the best.”