Royals cut down by Blades

Image: Federici: Day to forget

Sheffield United came from behind to claim a 3-1 win at Reading.

Federici error lets in United

Sheffield United came from behind to claim a 3-1 win at Reading. Matthew Mills had put the Royals ahead but Stephen Quinn levelled before the break. But then Adam Federici had a nightmare in the home goal as he allowed Jamie Ward's 25-yarder to slip though his fingers, before David Cotterill sealed a win for the visitors late on. After a slow start the hosts found the net when Mills powered in a 13th-minute header. Gylfi Sigurdsson swept in a perfect free-kick from the left wing and Mills made the most of some sloppy marking to steer the ball past Mark Bunn from close range. Jay Tabb then smashed over the crossbar after a fine move as the Royals began to impose their calm, passing style on the match. United's cause was not helped when the impressive Keith Treacy went off before the half-hour mark but against the run of play Blackwell's side equalised in the 42nd minute with a soft goal. A long ball to the back post was not dealt with and Ched Evans shanked a shot across the face of goal. The ball was allowed to travel across the six-yard box and Quinn took advantage to steal in and side-foot into the roof of the vacant net. Evans should have headed the Blades ahead before strike partner Darius Henderson did find the net only to see his effort ruled out for a push. The home side had again made a slow start to the half but came within inches of a superb second on the hour. Ryan Bertrand found Sigurdsson 25 yards from goal and after a lovely turn which left Nick Montgomery baffled the teenager rattled the far post with a swerving left-footed drive. It was a fine effort but the visitors forged ahead in the 62nd minute thanks to a howler from Federici. A throw on the left was played back by Quinn to Ward who chanced his arm from 25 yards with a powerful strike which was straight at the goalkeeper. However the Australian failed to get his body behind the strike and saw the ball squirm from his grasp and spin apologetically into the net. Cotterill then grabbed the third in stoppage time when he picked up a loose ball 30 yards out and arrowed a shot into the top corner to leave the home fans fuming.
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