Blades must seize moment after Campbell's star turn

To score one goal in a Steel City derby is always notable. To score a winning goal cements your name in folklore, just ask BBC Radio Sheffield pundit Carl Asaba from the Blades class of 2001.

To score three goals, all in winning derbies, is unprecedented in recent decades and it means Tyrese Campbell won't need to buy a beer ever again in the red and white half of Sheffield.

The 25-year-old is only the fourth player to score three times in Steel City derbies in (at least) the last 45 years, after Sheffield Wednesday's Marcus Tudgay and Sheffield United's Dane Whitehouse and Brian Deane.

And he's only the fourth player to score a brace in this fixture, during the same timeframe.

An early goal was always going to be key between the two sides who remain the lowest scorers in the Championship, and there was more than a hint of deja vu in Campbell's opener in the 3-0 win at Hillsborough.

Last November he scored the only goal as the Blades beat Wednesday 1-0 at Bramall Lane. Dutch midfielder Gus Hamer found Callum O'Hare who slipped in Campbell to score on the left corner of the six-yard box.

This time it was Dutch midfielder Jairo Riedewald who squared the ball to O'Hare and he once again played in Campbell to finish from the left, around six yards out.

History may have repeated itself with that goal, but new ground was broken when Campbell completed his brace after the break and then misfiring striker Tom Cannon finally got his season up and running with the third in added time.

It was the biggest away win – for either side – in Steel City derby history, and it was much needed and timely for both Campbell and Sheffield United.

Such is the Blades dire season so far, three points against their bitter rivals was not enough to lift them out of the Championship relegation zone, with the club still reeling from a string of disastrous decisions by the club's owners COH Sports, including the failed appointment of short-term boss Ruben Selles.

Campbell is one of several players who excelled in last season's promotion push who has subsequently struggled for goals, form and confidence during this campaign's turmoil.

The 25-year-old was the club's top scorer last term, firing in 11 goals, many in key games, after signing for the Blades on a free transfer from Stoke City.

Now the Blades history-making win at Hillsborough has to be the catalyst for more, from Campbell and his team-mates, as Chris Wilder seeks to rebuild from the summer's chaos.

Sheffield United will face much tougher challenges than their beleaguered neighbours, who didn't show up for the 134th Steel City derby.

Wednesday night's home match against fellow strugglers Portsmouth must see Wilder's men capitalise on their derby win, both with another improved performance and another three points.

Victory against Pompey could also see the Blades move out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, if Oxford don't win at Norwich on Tuesday.