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BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Why can't Sheffield United win a play-off final?
What have Sheffield United got to do to win promotion via the play-offs?The 2-1 loss to Sunderland at Wembley means it is now 10 times the Blades have tried and failed to go up via the play-offs and the fifth defeat they've suffered in a Sunderland captain Luke O'Nien dislocated his shoulder inside the opening 120 seconds and Tyrese Campbell coolly clipped over Anthony Patterson 23 minutes later, the Blades must have thought their fortunes were finally much everything that could go wrong for Chris Wilder's side in north-west London did so. The footballing gods conspired against them once Burrows arrowed the Blades into a two-goal lead 10 minutes before the interval, only for VAR to intervene for the one and only time in the Championship this season to chalk the goal off for offside against Vinicius Souza who was blocking Patterson's line of Andre Brooks pickpocketed Dennis Cirkin and had the chance to double United's lead somewhat against the run of play in the second half with 20 minutes remaining, only to be denied by the studs on the end of Patterson's left would perhaps prove to be the turning point and catalyst for a succession of events that slowly but surely saw this play-off final slip away from the player of the year Gustavo Hamer, who brilliantly set up the opener, was forced off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Ben Brereton Diaz, who himself limped off in the final extra time looming, Anel Ahmedhodzic clashed heads with his own team-mate Tom Cannon, suffering an injury and United's third of the game which meant he could not United were down to 10 men for the closing stages and before they'd even had a chance to make their sixth change courtesy of concussion sub protocol, Brighton-bound Tommy Watson - whose name wasn't even on the matchday programme - curled into the bottom corner to seal victory for Sunderland. 'It's not luck' - Wilder Wilder could be forgiven for bemoaning his side's bad luck in the final, this season in general and United's never-ending play-off curse, but he says they should have still seen the job through."It's not luck, it was in our hands," he said in his post-match press conference."The game was in our hands and we never felt in danger. Michael [Cooper] has not had a save to make."From a stats point of view, we were on top but we have to kill games off and have that quality. The opposition have taken their chances and punished us severely."We had an opportunity to change the narrative on the play-offs but we've not done that."Debate about the decision by VAR to overturn Burrows' goal which would have made it 2-0 to United will likely rumble on well into the summer and Wilder says it gave Sunderland "a lifeline and energy"."There will be a lot of talk about VAR," Wilder said. "We've played 46 games, two play-off games and all of a sudden it's a subjective decision."I don't think the goalkeeper [Patterson] saves it, I don't think he gets anywhere near it." Blades season doomed from the start? It was perhaps a season that was almost doomed before it had even started for Sheffield United after they were deducted two points for defaulted transfer the early setback, the Blades still amassed 90 they finished outside the automatic promotion spots only to two sides who both hit the 100-point mark - something that has never happened before in Championship points tally would have seen them promoted in 14 of the previous 20 seasons in the second tier and had they not been deducted two points, 92 would have been enough in 17 of those only Leeds United (29) won more games than Sheffield United (28) in the regular may have finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland three weeks ago but the long grind of this season ultimately counted for nothing in the end."It's going to take quite a while to get over this and we're going to have to suffer and go through the pain again," Wilder said."The players will be hurting. We have to own it and suffer together. Most of all I'm disappointed for the supporters."Not to reward them with a win and the opportunity to play in the Premier League hurts a lot."In many ways, today's heartbreak mirrored the regular season with 75% of it going to plan but ending in catastrophic straight defeats by Oxford United, Millwall and Plymouth during the run-in saw United give up a five-point lead to fall to third, which was only further compounded when Burnley secured promotion with a 2-1 win over the Blades at Turf Moor on 21 also said to lose in the manner they did with an injury time goal in the final "really stings"."They find a fabulous winner and it's chaos and pandemonium from their point of view," he added"It's an incredibly bitter and disappointing situation we found ourselves in. The amount of games I've played and managed, it's not always been a fairytale."But it has been very much a fairytale for Sunderland, who have been down to League One and back up again, and will return to the top flight for the first time in eight this occasion at Wembley, maybe it was the Black Cats who had all the luck.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Sheffield United vs Sunderland predictions: Championship play-off final tips and odds
Our tipster has three betting predictions for the Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (kick-off, 3.01pm). He is expecting a close game that goes into extra time. Sheffield United vs Sunderland tips The draw @ 2/1 with Sky Bet 50+ booking points @ 5/6 with Sky Bet Bet builder – Gustavo Hamer 1+ shot on target, Wilson Isodor 1+ shot on target, Vinicius Souza 2+ fouls @ 15/4 with Sky Bet Odds courtesy of Sky Bet. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change. Already a Sky Bet member? Check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. Black Cats can take final the distance Sheffield United are 13/10 favourites to win this Championship play-off final, having finished third in the table, 14 points clear of Sunderland. The Black Cats ended their campaign in poor form, losing their last five games, but bounced back with a 3-2 aggregate win over Coventry City in the semi-finals. The two meetings between the sides both ended in home wins, the Blades winning 1-0 at Bramall Lane in November but losing 2-1 at the Stadium of Light in January. The pressure will be on them after they missed out on automatic promotion and I think that Sunderland will make this tight. Bookings bet looks set to land With a place in the Premier League at stake, the winners can bank on around £220m extra revenue next season. Such high stakes promise to make it a tense occasion and I am expecting the referee Chris Kavanagh to have a busy afternoon. Sunderland ranked third in the Championship's disciplinary table for bad behaviour, while Sheffield United were seventh. In this season's first meeting between the sides, in November, six yellow cards and two reds were shown, while the reverse fixture in January featured five bookings. On both occasions, a bet on 50+ booking points would have been successful. Hamer and Isodor can each fire in a shot My final recommendation is a bet builder featuring three selections, two of which concern players having one or more shots on target. Sunderland's Wilson Isidor had the third-highest number of shots on target in the Championship this season with 39, while Sheffield United's Gustavo Hamer ranks 17th with 29. To those bets I'll add the United's Vinicius Souza to commit two or more fouls. The midfielder had the third-highest number of offences in the Championship with 37, averaging two per game. Sheffield United vs Sunderland odds All odds courtesy of Sky Bet. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Daily Tribune
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Sheffield United Reach Playoff Final with 3-0 Win over Bristol City
TDT | Manama Sheffield United made light work of Bristol City, securing a comfortable 3-0 win at Bramall Lane on Monday to complete a 6-0 aggregate win in the Championship playoff semi-finals. The Blades were in control from the outset, with Kieffer Moore breaking the deadlock with a header in the first half. Gustavo Hamer doubled the lead after his shot took a deflection to leave Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary stranded. Callum O'Hare wrapped up the victory with a simple finish in the 83rd minute to confirm United's place in the playoff final. Sheffield United, relegated from the Premier League last season, have shown impressive resilience in their bid for promotion, finishing third in the 2024-25 Championship campaign behind Leeds United and Burnley, who secured automatic promotion. The Blades will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Sunderland and Coventry City, with the final set for May 24 at Wembley. After a season of highs and lows, Sheffield United's eyes are firmly set on a Premier League return.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former U's boss heading to Wembley after record-breaking play-off win
FORMER Oxford United manager Chris Wilder is heading to Wembley with his boyhood Sheffield United team after a record-breaking play-off semi-final victory. The Blades backed up their 3-0 win in the first leg at Bristol City with a repeat scoreline at Bramall Lane last night, making the 6-0 aggregate score the biggest winning margin in play-off history. Kieffer Moore opened the scoring four minutes before half-time in the second leg, heading in a Harrison Burrows corner from close range. Seven minutes into the second half, Gustavo Hamer finished from the edge of the penalty box after a neat corner routine, while substitute Callum O'Hare grabbed the third goal with seven minutes left on the clock. READ ALSO: Six players United might look to poach from relegated sides No team has lost more times in the play-offs than the Blades, with nine failed campaigns, including three defeats in the second-tier final. Wilder, who hasn't been involved in any of the previous losses, is targeting a third promotion as Blades boss. He said: 'I don't feel there's a negativity because of our previous campaigns. It feels a freshness about it, a real belief that we can make history and put to bed all that and other things that have gone on previously. I think I've witnessed the majority of it as well. 'It isn't easy to go straight back up. It's not straightforward. And we pushed and pushed all season. We got 92 points [two points were deducted before the season started for defaulted transfer payments], for two teams to get to 100 points is an insane season. READ MORE: U's boss talks deals for players with a year left and chances for youngsters 'Then we've had to have the challenges of the narrative of being the team that's got so close. But how do they deal with it? 'The narrative as well of Sheffield United's play-off history and stuff like that, so we've had to make sure that we were right. 'We had to be good, we had everything to lose. The first goal was always going to be a big goal. 'We have had to play well and do a lot of things right over the two games to get to the final.' Robins head coach Liam Manning, who was in charge of the U's between March 2023 and November 2023 before leaving for Ashton Gate, said: 'It was a difficult game, obviously going off the back of the first leg. 'The message was pretty clear, we had to leave it all out there. We started well but ultimately a lack of conviction and quality in the box. 'Credit to Sheffield United, they are doing it, it is not easy, they definitely deserve it across the two legs. We have to use it to get better.'
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Sheffield United beat Bristol City 6–0 on aggregate to book Wembley play-off final
LONDON, May 13 — Sheffield United moved a step closer to the Premier League after dispatching Bristol City on Monday to book their place in the Championship play-off final. Aiming for an immediate return to the top flight after last season's relegation, Chris Wilder's side beat City 3–0 in the play-off semi-final second leg at Bramall Lane. Kieffer Moore's first goal since 21 December put the Blades ahead in the first half. Championship Player of the Year Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare netted after the interval as United coasted to a 6–0 aggregate victory. The Blades will face Sunderland or Coventry in the final at Wembley on 24 May. Sunderland hold a 2–1 lead heading into their semi-final second leg at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday. 'You've got to enjoy nights like this. It's been an incredibly challenging season for us. To have a night like this at home gives the boys a boost and the recognition they really deserve,' Wilder said. 'I just spoke to the players and said 'look after yourselves'. But then I thought if I was a player would I have a beer tonight? One hundred per cent!' In his second spell with the Blades — after leading them from League One in 2016 to the Premier League in 2019 — Wilder is determined to finally end his boyhood club's play-off curse. United have failed to win promotion via the Championship or League One play-offs in nine previous attempts — the worst record of any English club. 'We'll respect any team that we play in the final. It's a one-off and it'll bring the noise and excitement and everything a Wembley final will bring but we have to get the balance right,' Wilder said. 'We can't be too emotional and that's going to be the biggest task for the players because they're bound to be excited. There's still a huge challenge ahead of us.' The Yorkshire outfit are also aiming to become the third of last season's three relegated Premier League teams to return to the top flight after Leeds and Burnley were promoted automatically. The Blades were only the third side in Championship history to reach 90 points and fail to win automatic promotion. Knockout blow Sixth-placed City had ended 22 points behind third-placed United in the Championship table. The gulf between the teams was evident when United swept to a 3–0 win in the first leg at Ashton Gate on Thursday after City defender Rob Dickie was controversially sent off for a foul on Moore. Scott Twine tried to spark a historic comeback as the City midfielder fired narrowly wide in the opening moments. United responded through Tom Cannon, whose strike from Moore's lay-off whistled just over. City dominated the first 20 minutes and Jason Knight tested Michael Cooper with a low drive before Nahki Wells's long-range blast was repelled by the United keeper. But Wilder's men steadied the ship after City's barrage and threatened themselves through Harrison Burrows' deflected strike. Wales striker Moore delivered the knockout blow in the 41st minute, rising highest in the six-yard box to head home from a corner, with City keeper Max O'Leary protesting in vain he was blocked off by Cannon. United doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when a clever corner routine climaxed with Hamer's shot taking a wicked deflection off Ross McCrorie as it looped over O'Leary. With Blades fans singing of their impending trip to Wembley, O'Hare kept the party going with a clinical finish from Tyrese Campbell's cross in the 83rd minute. — AFP
