Sheffield United's Andre Brooks (left) celebrates scoring against Bristol CityRex Features

Andre Brooks (left) doubled Sheffield United's lead after coming on as a second-half substitute

Sophie Hurcom
BBC Sport England, West at Ashton Gate

Sheffield United took a commanding lead against Bristol City in the Championship play-off semi-finals with victory in the first leg at Ashton Gate, after the hosts had Rob Dickie sent off right before half-time.

Harrison Burrows' first-half penalty kick gave the Blades the lead after Dickie was shown a straight red for bringing Kieffer Moore down in the box.

Tyrese Campbell had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside, while Joe Williams struck the bar with City's only real effort on goal.

Substitutes Andre Brooks and Callum O'Hare then both found the net within six second-half minutes for the visitors to give the Robins a mountain to climb in the second leg at Brammall Lane on Monday night.

Harrison Burrows (far right) runs in celebration after scoring a penaltyRex Features

Harrison Burrows (far right) slotted in a penalty after Kieffer Moore was dragged down in the box

The Robins have waited 17 years for a shot at the Championship play-offs and their fans were relishing every second of it before kick-off, even more so considering their home form has been one of the strongest in the division this season – bettered only by promoted Leeds United, Burnley and their play-off opponents.

But the Blades have been equally potent on the road and they thought they had the opening goal 10 minutes in, when a long throw was launched into the City penalty area and Campbell headed it into the net.

The away end was in full rapture before the assistant referee eventually raised his flag for offside against Sydie Peck, who was sharing a goalline tussle with Jason Knight.

Minutes later City almost made it 1-0 when Williams fired a rocket from 25 yards out that rattled the bar – an effort that would prove to be the only shot the hosts would have all night.

United finished 22 points ahead of the Robins in the table and they gradually proved their pre-match favourites status. They looked potent almost whenever they went forward, although initially failing to capitalise on their chances.

Rhian Brewster played Campbell into acres of space but in a one-on-one with Max O'Leary, the Robins keeper blocked the effort impressively with his feet. Brewster then broke behind City's defensive line and squared the ball, only for Moore to fire a tame effort at O'Leary.

It was another long through ball to Moore that led to the Blades' breakthrough, as Dickie was shown a straight red for hauling the Wales international down – his second dismissal this season against Sheffield United - and Burrows sent O'Leary the wrong way to score from the spot.

Rob Dickie is shown a red cardRex Features

Rob Dickie (left) was shown a red card for the second time this season against Sheffield United

City had already lost Williams to injury during the first half, and with Dickie also gone Liam Manning was forced to make two more changes at the break as the dynamic of the game shifted to one of containment for the hosts.

United soaked up possession and penned City back before Chris Wilder made a trio of telling substitutions – bringing on O'Hare, Brooks and Tom Davies – to take the game on.

It was a change that paid off, with Brooks finding the net at the back post after O'Hare dummied Burrows' low cross.

The score quickly became 3-0, as Gustavo Hamer's corner kick was headed on and O'Hare had a simple tap in from close range in front of a raucous away end to start a chorus of 'We're going to Wembley'.

Manning 'hurt', Wilder 'delighted' - reaction

Bristol City manager Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

"Hurt, disappointed I think for the fans more so than anything, for the lads, because the game was decided by a huge error.

"Credit to Sheffield United – they still have to go and win the game and they did. There's bits we still need to do better, up until the decision [red card] I thought it was a really good game.

"I thought we showed really good control, bravery to go out and play, gave up a couple of chances, but I thought it was a really good spectacle for Championship football and then unfortunately a huge error goes and changes the way the game goes.

"We'll keep believing, we'll keep fighting. That's the beauty of sport if you look at the history of it there's been many comebacks. I know this group inside out, they're hurting right now, hugely disappointed, but at the same point once we're in tomorrow we'll be ready to go Monday."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"A really professional performance, everybody played their part. I saw a glint in the eyes after the Burnley game, really focused, ready for this.

"I thought we got our noses in front with the goal the way that came about, a bit of a contentious decision again and a good bit of play to get ourselves in front of the game – that's good centre forward play, Tyrese flicks it on, Kieffer sticks his body in the way, just about to pull the trigger and he just gets ragged all over the place.

"As far as I'm concerned it was the correct decision, he's an experienced referee, he let a lot go, it was a competitive Championship game. They've made the mistake, not us.

"After that it was about patience, seeing what their shape was after they came out at half-time, how would they go about it and then knowing that maybe we'd get an opportunity to be clinical.

"I'm delighted that we've got a three goal lead, but there's still a lot of work to go into this. There must be a full house at Bramall Lane for this team."

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