Sheffield Utd 4 - 1 Cardiff City. Match Report

Last updated : 16 April 2023 By Sky Sports

Sheffield United moved closer to securing automatic promotion to the Premier League by coming from behind to beat Cardiff 4-1 at Bramall Lane.

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Sory Kaba took his tally to five goals in seven games when he gave the Bluebirds a surprise lead from the penalty spot, but Manchester City loanee James McAtee levelled with an impressive solo goal, before a spectacular diving header from Jack Robinson made it 2-1.

Cardiff substitute Connor Wickham struck the woodwork as the visitors chased an equaliser, but Iliman Ndiaye slammed in a third and Ciaran Clark prodded in from a yard out to take the game away from Sabri Lamouchi's relegation-threatened side.

A fifth win in seven games sees the Blades maintain their five-point lead over third-placed Luton with five games to play, while Cardiff remain precariously perched in 21st, only outside the bottom three on goal difference.

It did not take long for Cardiff to show they were going to make it hard for their hosts. Jaden Philogene stepped in off the right and sent a shot wide from 25 yards, and it took significant effort for the Blades to clear their lines a few minutes later after a misplaced pass from Tommy Doyle caused panic in the box.

Sheffield United kept the ball well, but had little to show for it - and they fell behind after 19 minutes, when Kaba continued his hot streak in front of goal by converting a penalty after Max Lowe had caught Jack Simpson with a high boot. 

The hosts were level within five minutes, though. It came from a moment of inspiration from McAtee, who collected possession and held off the challenge of Andy Rinomhota before dispatching a left-footed shot underneath Ryan Allsop.

It was not long after the restart that the comeback was completed. Cardiff failed to deal with a corner with any sort of urgency, which allowed Doyle to lift in a beauty of a cross to the far post, where Robinson dived to head in a stylish second. 

Wickham's shot that hit the crossbar came after a sustained spell of pressure, but there was to be no way back into the game for the visitors thereafter.

Ndiaye ran onto Mark McGuiness' ill-advised pass back to Allsop, rounded the goalkeeper and rattled in to make it 3-1 and Clark was on hand to prod in after a corner to complete a confident, if a touch flattering victory for the hosts. 

Sheffield United: Davies, Baldock, Egan, Robinson, Bogle (Clark 79’), Berge, Doyle (Norwood 79’), Lowe, Ndiaye (Jebbison 82’), McAtee (Fleck 75’), McBurnie (Sharp 81’). Subs Not Used: Dewhurst, Arblaster.

Cardiff City: Allsop, Ng, Kipré, McGuinness, Simpson (O'Dowda 46'), Ralls, Wintle, Rinomhota, Philogene, Etete (Wickham 61'), Kaba. Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Romeo, Sawyers, Ojo, Davies.