Conway goal sends Boro top as Blades lose again

Tommy Conway (left) has scored in successive wins over Norwich and Sheffield United

Tommy Conway scored a second-half winner as Middlesbrough beat Sheffield United to go top of the Championship and keep up their 100% winning record.

The Scotland striker slotted home following a terrific pass from debutant Matt Targett to record a fourth straight victory in Boro's best start to a league season for 31 years.

But the misery goes on for Sheffield United and boss Ruben Selles as they remain bottom after a fourth consecutive league defeat.

This is the Blades' worst start to a campaign outside the top flight since 1995 and they have managed only one goal, the fewest of any side in the division.

The team beaten by Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley only three months ago passed up a glorious chance to claim their first point of this season when substitute Sam McCallum slashed wide in injury time.

After both sides suffered disappointing ends to last season, they each went in new directions over the summer under new head coaches. And it is very much Boro and Rob Edwards who are happier with things after the opening month.

Sam Silvera was inches wide early on for Boro before new defender Japhet Tanganga, on his debut following his switch from Millwall, showed why the Blades have brought him in with a big block on a goalbound effort from Callum Brittain.

However, Tyrese Campbell had the best chance of the half at the other end but he couldn't get his shot away at close range as Hayden Hackney recovered to make a crucial tackle.

The introduction of Targett at half-time following his season-long loan move from Newcastle United proved decisive as operating in the left wing-back role, he slid over a perfect ball into Conway's path, which the striker duly slotted past Michael Cooper.

Experienced striker Danny Ings was sent on for his Sheffield United debut and he saw one effort deflected narrowly wide, but when the big chance came it fell to fellow sub McCallum, who lost his composure inside the six-yard box as the Blades failed to register a single shot on target.

Their wait for a first point will extend into the autumn, while Edwards matches the achievement of Bryan Robson in 1994, a season that ended with Boro winning the league and promotion to the Premier League.

'Please enjoy it and dream' - post-match reaction

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards told BBC Radio Tees:

"I've looked at the group and I've seen a lot of this football club over the years and I know we've got some really good players.

"I know we've introduced a lot of new players as well but we can get this place going, I really believe that.

"Please enjoy it and dream. It's our job to try and give that hope.

"It's also our job to then keep working really hard and get people focused and not carried away with anything either.

"It's a good start but there's 42 games to go. Let's ride the momentum, ride the wave and keep backing each other all the time."

Sheffield United head coach Ruben Selles told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I'm disappointed of course, with the result and the situation that we have been living.

"It's not going for us, we are going to keep fighting, keep going and keep trying to fight for that moment that is going to change the dynamic.

"I think we looked like a team today. Sometimes when you're in those moments, it's difficult but we played against a very good team and we had situations in the first half in a 50:50 game and then in the second half until they scored a goal, I think we were dominant."

What's next?

We now head into the first international break of the season as both sides have next weekend off.

Sheffield United resume with a trip to Ipswich Town on Friday, 12 September (20:00 BST), with Middlesbrough away at Preston North End the following day, Saturday, 13 September (12:30).