Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Sheffield United and Reading at Bramall Lane as Tom McIntyre's added-time earned all three points for the Royals
Friday 15 April 2022 22:36, UK
A dramatic late winner from Tom McIntyre helped Reading beat promotion-chasing Sheffield United and take a giant step towards Championship safety.
The Blades thought they had rescued a point in the 90th minute when substitute Iliman Ndiaye finally cancelled out Lucas Joao's first-half opener.
But McIntyre quickly struck at the other end of the pitch to move Paul Ince's side nine points clear of the bottom three.
United remained in the top six despite the setback, but four teams sit within three points of them in a crowded play-off race.
Oliver Norwood had the first opportunity in a game that took a while to get going, with his speculative effort from range flying over the bar.
Joao gave Reading the lead in the 17th minute when he collected Josh Laurent's through ball and beating Wes Foderingham at the goalkeeper's near post.
Foderingham was soon forced to make a great save, diving to his right to keep out Tom Ince's long-range effort.
Reading had a good chance when Laurent drove down the right side of the United defence, but his attempt hit the side netting.
Joao came agonisingly close to doubling his tally when he drove into the box, beat his man, but saw his effort hit a post.
Reading's defence held firm in the first half, with George Baldock and Ben Osborn both having attempts blocked.
The visitors had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee when Ovie Ejaria was seemingly brought down in the box by Osborn in the second half, while Laurent could not direct a header on target from Ince's free-kick.
Reading continued to defend well, limiting United to very few chances and frustrating the home crowd, with some deciding to leave with five minutes of normal time left to play.
Blades substitute Daniel Jebbison glanced a header over the bar before Reading goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was forced into making his first save of the contest when he gathered John Egan's tame header.
But the hosts managed to grab an equaliser in the 90th minute when substitute Ndiaye found space inside the box and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.
But Reading responded to take all three points. Michael Morrison laid the ball off with his head to McIntyre inside the box and he poked the ball past Foderingham to spark wild scenes from the away end.
Sheffield United's Paul Heckingbottom: "You look at where we are now, we have got four games left. It's turned into a sprint. The games are going to get tighter, nervier and more important than that one. The big takeaway message is that we need to make better decisions. I thought the emotion of scoring and the stadium erupting affected our next two minutes. Although we did have young players on the pitch who maybe made mistakes in that moment, we had more than enough experience to get set up properly and deal with the threat.
"The first few minutes we started well. We were under no illusions how tough the game was going to be. The game didn't surprise us one bit, they were going to be tough to break down, they would be a threat on the counter. When you go behind to a team with that style of play, it is set up perfectly for them."
Reading's Paul Ince: "It was a fantastic performance from the boys. Since I have come here, they have been progressing and getting better. It was the best I have seen them play under me. When we won the ball we cut them apart, nice precise quick passing. It was a proper, proper team and that's what you need when you're playing in the Championship, against these top teams. And Sheffield United are a top team.
"I must say (the win was) thoroughly deserved. We had so many chances, two or three great chances in the first half. I thought we deserved to be rewarded with one, two or three more goals. It's a tough place and to respond the way we did after conceding that late goal shows everything about this team. They have got togetherness and spirit amongst them now. And to go and grab that winner shows everything you need to know about this team."
