Summary:
- Sheffield United have won both legs against Bristol City, reaching the Championship play-off final with a 6-0 aggregate victory.
- Kieffer Moore, Gustavo Hamer, and Callum O’Hare scored in a dominant second-leg performance.
- Chris Wilder’s side set a new record for the largest play-off victory margin.
Sheffield United cruised into the Championship play-off final with a dominant 6-0 aggregate victory over Bristol City, marking the largest winning margin ever recorded in the history of the second-tier play-offs.
Already carrying a 3-0 lead from the first leg, the Blades showed no signs of letting up in Monday night’s return fixture at Bramall Lane.
Chris Wilder: “You’ve Got to Enjoy Nights Like This.”
Kieffer Moore opened the scoring in the 41st minute, rising highest to nod home a Harrison Burrows corner and all but end the tie before halftime.
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— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) May 12, 2025
Shortly after the break, Gustavo Hamer doubled the lead with a deflected strike from the edge of the box, and Callum O’Hare added a third to cap off a dominant second leg.
Bristol City never looked like threatening a comeback, especially after the red card to Rob Dickie in the first leg left them with a mountain to climb.
Even in the often-unpredictable world of play-off football, the task proved too steep for Liam Manning’s side.
Blades boss Chris Wilder was full of praise for his players after the match.
I just spoke to the players and said: ‘Look after yourselves, look after each other’. Then I thought, would I have a beer tonight if I was a player? 100 per cent! You’ve got to enjoy nights like this.
Wilder described it as “an incredibly challenging season”, calling getting the first goal “huge” and just what they needed to settle “everybody down“
Robinson: “We Nullified Them All Game.”
Jack Robinson, who helped Sheffield United keep a second consecutive clean sheet, highlighted the team’s focus and defensive discipline.
We nullified them all game… Going into the final with two clean sheets, that’s exactly what you want. I’m really proud of the lads.
Former club players and pundits took the opportunity to praise the team’s resilience, with Michael Brown noting the Blades had “bounced back brilliantly” from their late-season stumbles.
Similarly, Chris Basham pointed to the winning mentality of Wilder’s refreshed squad.
Despite the heavy defeat, Bristol City manager Liam Manning remained proud of his team’s effort.
We’re really proud to achieve finishing top six… Especially early on in the first 20 minutes, I thought we came out and we tried to be us.
Sheffield United now await either Sunderland or Coventry in the final at Wembley, with a shot at the Premier League on the line.