Sheffield United continue winning run by breezing past Stoke

Sheffield United’s revival continued as they emphatically beat Stoke 4-0 at Bramall Lane.

First-half goals from Mark McGuinness, Femi Seriki and Patrick Bamford paired with a Sydie Peck penalty made it four wins from four Championship games for the Blades.

The hosts were on the front foot from the off and got their first goal after 10 minutes. Gustavo Hamer whipped his corner straight on to the head of McGuinness for his first goal for the Blades.

Junior Tchamadeu hit a right-foot drive from 25 yards, but the effort was blocked by a defender and claimed comfortably by Michael Cooper.

McGuinness could have added to his goal tally; the Stoke defence were not learning their lesson as he got his head on the next couple of United corners.

The visitors had two chances in a matter of seconds, first Bae Jun-ho’s goalbound header was cleared away, but only as far as Eric Bocat whose fizzing drive flew just over the crossbar.

Potters goalkeeper Viktor Johansson had to get down low to his left to push behind Andre Brooks’ attempt from inside the penalty area.

Seriki doubled the Blades’ lead in the 40th minute with an absolute stunner. The ball fell to the wing-back just outside the box, he skipped past Million Manhoef and curled a beauty past Johansson and into the top right corner.

Bamford got his second goal in two home games to put the hosts 3-0 up. Peck played in Seriki down the right and his cross was met brilliantly by the striker, who planted his header far out of Johansson’s reach.

Hamer nearly got on the scoresheet as he forced Johansson to tip over his curling effort from the edge of the area.

The Potters came closest to getting one back when Divin Mubama met Tchamadeu’s cross, but he saw his header kept out at point-blank range by Cooper before Manhoef’s follow-up was blocked.

The Blades made the points safe in the 77th minute from the penalty spot. Andre Brooks was fouled in the box after a clever flick from Tyrese Campbell and Peck slotted his penalty down the middle to put real gloss on the scoreline.

The hosts could have scored more, but four proved to be plenty.

Sheffield United move up to 18th following the victory, whilst Stoke slip down to sixth in the Sky Bet Championship table.