Sheffield United 4-0 Fulham: Blades crush champions Fulham to seal play-off place
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Morgan Gibbs-White's first-half header was his 11th goal for Sheffield United this season
Sheffield United scored three goals in a blistering opening 25 minutes as they crushed champions Fulham to make certain of their place in the Championship play-offs.
The Blades were one of four teams in the mix for the final two play-off spots but knew a win would ensure a top-six finish irrespective of how Luton Town, Middlesbrough and Millwall fared.
Any fears of a nervy afternoon at Bramall Lane were soon dispelled when Morgan Gibbs-White headed the opener from Oli Norwood's delightful first-time cross from the right.
Gibbs-White teed up Iliman Ndiaye after a slip by Jean Michael Seri to slot in number two - his fourth goal in five games - and within four minutes the game seemed as good as done when Sander Berge rammed the ball home from six yards.
A joyous home crowd saw Berge unselfishly find Enda Stevens for a simple finish to make it 4-0 after the restart - a result which means the Blades finish fifth and will meet Nottingham Forest in the two-legged semi-finals.
United had started the action by recognising Fulham's achievements with a pre-match guard of honour, but that was as charitable as they got in a one-sided afternoon.
Paul Heckingbottom's side played with the sort urgency and quality that had been Fulham's trademark all season and led to them securing the league title with a 7-0 mauling of Luton Town on Monday.
But Wolves loanee Gibbs-White's early header set the tone for a sloppy day's work by the Whites, stand-in keeper Paolo Gazzaniga making a mess of his attempted save at the near post.
Seri's unfortunate slip deep in his own territory gifted a second goal and some more slick play ended with Berge and Stevens doubling that two-goal scoreline.
The comprehensive victory ensured the Blades finished above sixth-placed Luton on goal difference, and also means they go into the home leg against Forest in good form after a third successive win.
Boss Heckingbottom has masterminded a terrific turnaround from where they were when he took over in November with the team eight points off the top six and struggling following relegation from the Premier League.
Fulham rarely threatened to spoil the party having been overrun in the early stages. They had plenty of possession but at 3-0 down failed to create clear chances, with a Neeskens Kebano strike that flew over the bar and a Fabio Carvalho effort well saved by keeper Wesley Foderingham as close as they came.
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom:
"The main thing was getting there. We wanted to do it our way. We didn't want to be thinking about results elsewhere. To do that, you've got to focus on your performance and do things right. The boys were good.
"I've said all along that we've got good players. We can't win every game - we know we'll not - but we've extended the season, which is great and what we all wanted.
"We couldn't have done much more in terms of being aggressive, stopping Fulham, trying to play forward quick, creating chances and we scored the goals.
"We'll celebrate being in the play-offs and we'll enjoy it, however we haven't won anything and haven't achieved anything. We've got more to do."
Fulham head coach Marco Silva:
"It wasn't the way we wanted to finish the season. It was a tough result for us. We started well and dominated until they scored the first goal. The way we conceded the second and third goals reflects our performance.
"It is a good thing that in the last 15 days we had two moments to celebrate. The players deserve it.
"With the ball, we were really good in certain moments of the game but without the ball it was not good enough. We were not aggressive enough - most of the challenges they won.
"In terms of organisation, we were not at the level we should be and of course they punished us in those moments.
"I know why we lost the game, and we have to analyse the game and to prepare well ourselves for next season. It is a really important moment for this football club next season."