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Attendance: 14,116
Hull logo
Championship | Gameweek 44
Apr 22, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Sheffield United logo

0-3

FT(HT: 0-3)
McGoldrick (10', 22'), Stevens (42')

Sheffield United ease past Hull City to close in on promotion

David McGoldrick bagged a brace at the KCOM Stadium.

Premier League destiny remains in Sheffield United's hands following an easy 3-0 victory at Hull.

With two Sky Bet Championship games remaining – at home to Ipswich and away at Stoke – Chris Wilder's impressively-focused side are in pole position to return to the big time.

Hull were admittedly obliging hosts, but they had not lost in the league at home since November.

Yet the damage was done in the first half as two goals from David McGoldrick and an Enda Stevens header essentially confirmed an away win.

Wilder wisely battened down the hatches in the second half as his pioneering approach was replaced by pragmatism.

But United's vocal supporters, who came in their droves in anticipation of a season-defining victory, could not have cared less as they enjoyed a carefree afternoon in the Easter sunshine.

It was, of course, a soothing relief to the away fans that Wilder's men were quick to hit their stride – and with it the opening goal after 10 minutes.

John Fleck's corner from the right was not especially threatening, yet McGoldrick was given the freedom of East Yorkshire to plant a simple header into the roof of the net.

United's goal triggered unsavoury scenes in the north stand of the ground as sporadic fighting broke out between away fans, who had seemingly bought tickets in the home end, and Hull supporters.

Order was swiftly restored, but Hull's defence remained in a state of some disquiet as McGoldrick scored again after 22 minutes.

The 31-year-old striker was given an unforgivable amount of time to control the football and point towards goal from around 25 yards.

And once McGoldrick let rip with a curling right-footed attempt, it felt inevitable that the ball should slot snugly into the bottom right-hand corner.

With their play-off ambitions essentially over following a Good Friday defeat at West Brom, Hull had little to play for.

It showed, too, as Sheffield United were vastly superior in all departments.

Few within the KCOM Stadium would have been too shocked to see the visitors score a third goal after 42 minutes.

Hull were again guilty of desperately poor defending as George Baldock was not efficiently closed down from the right flank.

Baldock lifted a neat cross towards the penalty spot which was devoured by Stevens, who rose unchallenged and headed home with lofty precision.

Hull at least improved after the restart, but Sheffield United had no reason to take unnecessary risks, such was their position of authority.

Be that as it may, McGoldrick was not too far away from a hat-trick when he flashed over the crossbar a snap-shot from the edge of the penalty box.

McGoldrick later turned provider with a deft flick to Fleck, whose close-range attempt was well saved by former Sheffield United goalkeeper George Long.

That was as close as either side came to scoring in a dull second half as the visitors eased to a hugely important victory.

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Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder pictured after the Steel City derby on March 4, 2019
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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