Chris Wilder makes 'awkward' Bristol City point as Sheffield United end Reds' play-off campaign

Chris Wilder makes 'awkward' Bristol City point as Sheffield United end Reds' play-off campaign

Sheffield United and Chris Wilder beat Bristol City 3-0 at Bramall Lane to book their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley

Chris Wilder and Sheffield United got the better of Bristol City (Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images )

Chris Wilder has labelled Bristol City an "awkward side", admitting he didn't feel the 6-0 aggregate scoreline was a fair reflection of the challenge the Robins posed to Sheffield United in the Championship play-offs following his side's win at Bramall Lane.

Having put themselves in the driving seat of the semi-final clash with a 3-0 win in the first leg at Ashton Gate last Thursday, the Blades booked their spot in the Wembley final in an impressive fashion as they again scored three unanswered goals against the Reds on Monday evening. After Kieffer Moore broke the deadlock late in the first half, goals from Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare on the other side of the break ensured the party atmosphere began inside Bramall Lane.

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The six-goal difference between the two sides over the course of the two legs is the biggest in the history of the Championship play-offs. While from the outside looking in, it seemed more than comfortable for Wilder's Blades, the Sheffield United boss was keen to credit both City and Liam Manning after the full-time whistle.

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"That was tough, I don’t think the scoreline really represented the challenge, because they are an awkward side," the Blades manager explained in his post-match press conference. "When we found out on the Saturday that we were playing against them, the two games that we had against them were really awkward.

"Technically, they are a really good side. Some good players and a smart, intelligent coach, so we had to be good tonight. I thought we had everything to lose."

Despite already having a mountain to climb after their first leg defeat, the Robins started the game on top. Scott Twine struck the side-netting with a powerful right-footed effort after just two minutes of action, while both Nahki Wells and Jason Knight forced regulation stops from Michael Cooper between the Blades' posts in the first 15 minutes. Of course, the home side still carried a threat on the counterattack in the opening exchanges, but for the most part, the Reds were the side in control.

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However, Wilder's men managed to wrestle back the momentum over the course of the first half, and they then put the result of the tie beyond doubt when Moore broke the deadlock on the night with just four minutes to play in the first half.

Having seen Haydon Roberts nod behind for a corner, the Welsh international managed to lose his man, Zak Vyner, inside the City penalty area before rising highest to head Harrison Burrow's cross past Max O'Leary and into the Reds' net to break the hearts of those stationed behind the Robins' stopper's goal.

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Although the Blades boss was not particularly impressed by what he saw from his side out of possession early on in the contest, he felt the entire direction of the game was shifted completely in that moment, with the pressure eased inside Bramall Lane.

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"We didn't get the press right from the off, they found little pockets and looked like they played with that freedom and found some certain moments," Wilder explained. "But after that, I thought we had a foothold in the game.

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"We got ourselves a bit more control of the game and created some good opportunities, but the first goal was always going to be a big goal. It was quite a strange one because personally, I've not really been in that situation before.

"Your messages are, treat it as normal, it's a home game, let's go and win the game of football, but it's alright me talking about it, the players have then got to feel it and got to go and do a job on a talented, talented team. But obviously, the first goal changes the direction of the game straight away."

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