Sky Bet Championship

Sheffield United 0

Leeds United 1 (Hernandez 82)

Sheff U: Henderson, Baldock, Stevens (Johnson 84), Fleck, O'Connell, Basham, Sharp, Egan, Norwood, McGoldrick, Duffy (Washington 62).  Subs: Lundstram, Coutts, Stearman, Moore, Cranie. 

Leeds: Peacock-Farrell, Dallas, Cooper (Halme 21), Jansson, Douglas, Phillips, Forshaw, Klich, Hernandez (Shackleton 90), Alioski (Clarke 45), Roofe.  Subs: Huffer, Saiz, Harrison, Baker.

Booked: Stevens, Egan, Baldock, Norwood (Sheff U), Klich, Roofe (Leeds)

Referee: O. Langford

Venue: Bramall Lane

Attendance: 25,794 (2,243 Leeds)

Pablo Hernandez secured Leeds United a first win at Bramall Lane since 1992 against fellow Sky Bet Championship and promotion rivals Sheffield United.

Just two points and three places separated the two sides going into the match, with Leeds in second and Sheffield United in fifth

In the opening stages, Stuart Dallas struck from range inside three minutes, whilst Barry Douglas did really well to prevent David McGoldrick from getting a shot away following a good cross from Enda Stevens.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell was called into action in the 10^th minute, he denied McGoldrick well, who fired a long low drive at goal.

Leeds were dealt a blow in the 21^st minute when captain Liam Cooper had to be replaced due to injury, but his replacement Aapo Halme almost had an immediate impact.  A Barry Douglas free-kick fell to him in the Sheffield United box, but Dean Henderson made a fine stop to deny him.

Hernandez saw a free-kick blocked, before the hosts had a big chance to go in front.  Peacock-Farrell punched the ball from the head of Billy Sharp, it then fell to McGoldrick in the Leeds box, but he put his effort over the bar.

McGoldrick then tried his luck from 20 yards with a curling effort, but he couldn’t get enough bend on his shot and it went wide of the post.

On the stroke of half time, the Blades had another good chance.  George Baldock crossed from the right and Sharp headed into the ground, and his effort went just over the crossbar.

Half time: Sheffield United 0-0 Leeds United

After the break Douglas let fly from 25 yards with his left foot and almost found the back of the net, but his effort was just too high.

Hernandez and half time substitute Jack Clarke then combined, with the latter striking at goal from the edge of the box, forcing Henderson into a good stop.

Mateusz Klich  did really well to weave space for a shot in the Sheffield United penalty area.  But once again, Henderson would not be beaten, producing another fine stop.

At the other end, the ball fell to McGoldrick in the Leeds box, but Peacock-Farrell came off his line well to make a good stop.

In the 72^nd minute, Dallas put a dangerous cross into the Blades box, which was met by Kemar Roofe, but the striker saw his header go just inches wide.

Klich then drove forwards, before unleashing a strike from 25 yards, but he couldn’t find the target.

With eight minutes remaining, Leeds got the all important breakthrough.  Henderson failed to clear a back pass and Clarke stole possession, before teeing up Hernandez to slot into the empty net, sending the 2,243 travelling Leeds fans wild.

Hernandez almost added a second with a strike from 25 yards, six minutes later, but Henderson made a decent stop.

The home side threw the kitchen sink at the Whites in stoppage time and substitute Conor Washington hit the crossbar with an overhead kick at a corner, but Leeds survived, to climb back to the top of the table ahead of the 3:00pm kick-offs in the division.

Full time: Sheffield United 0-1 Leeds United