Reading 1-3 Sheffield United

Billy Sharp scored his 11th and 12th Championship goals of the season for Sheffield United

Sheffield United beat Reading to go sixth in the Championship and increase pressure on Royals manager Jaap Stam.

Leon Clarke crossed for Billy Sharp to open the scoring with a rebound off Vito Mannone before Mark Duffy cut inside and smashed into the top corner.

Omar Richards hammered in a rebound to make it 2-1 before Blades keeper Simon Moore saved Leandro Bacuna's penalty.

Sharp sidefooted in from a long ball as the Blades moved above Bristol City and into the play-off places.

• Re-live Tuesday's EFL Championship action as it happened

The game hinged on two second-half minutes with United's substitute goalkeeper Moore pushing away Bacuna's low spot-kick after Liam Kelly was bundled over.

Having been close to making it 2-2, Reading instead found themselves 3-1 behind a minute later when Sharp latched onto John Fleck's pass to score via the inside of the post.

The striker's second goal of the game ensured a fifth Championship game without a win for Stam, whose side are 18th, four points above the relegation zone.

In truth the margin of victory could have been greater, with Clarke, Sharp and Clayton Donaldson all spurning good chances for the Blades, who moved a point above Bristol City.

Moore was on the pitch because of an injury to Jamal Blackman, while Clarke was replaced by Donaldson after both players were injured in separate incidents the same first-half minute.

Reading manager Jaap Stam told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"It could've been six or seven to be honest. If you're not starting games well enough defending decisively and aggressively, you'll give the opposition chances.

"We could've gone forward quicker earlier on, but that didn't happen and we didn't make those decisions."

On his future in the job: "I don't feel pressure myself as everyone knows what can happen in football.

"If the club wants to make a decision then they can do that. Everyone knows if you're having a bad spell and not winning games, a decision can be made.

"That's not up to me, it's how it goes in football. I wouldn't be surprised if that decision comes."

Sheffield United assistant manager Alan Knill told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"It was a really good performance from the players today. Everything we asked for and everything we expect, we got.

"We were all really disappointed with the performance [in the previous game against Hull]. The standards have been set by the players so when we drop below them it's only right they know - and tonight was the perfect way to answer them.

"In the first half we should have been 3-0 up after 15 minutes, but it's good that we're creating."