In-form striker Ched Evans scored twice as Sheffield United beat Rochdale to make it five wins in a row.

Evans opened the scoring after Dale defender Stephen Jordan failed to head clear from Lecsinel Jean-Francois' ball into the area.

Richard Cresswell made it two when he steered the ball in at the near post following a cross from Jean-Francois.

Evans then scored his eighth goal in five games with a superb 25-yard free-kick to seal the points.

The game was held up for 10 minutes following a clash of heads between Rochdale goalkeeper David Lucas and United's Dean Holden.

Lucas was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital suffering from concussion. He was later released and travelled home with the rest of the squad.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"We've had many encounters like this over this season and I think we gradually got stronger as the game's gone. The first goal is always the important goal for either side.

"We got it [the opening goal] at a good time from our point of view and if you're the away team and you've got a game plan to come to Bramall Lane, it gets undone with the first goal if we can get it and we did today.

"After that we haven't really had any problems defensively, but going forward I thought we got stronger, we got more possession as we went along, second half in particular, so really it's been a good performance all the way through and another clean sheet which always delights us."

Rochdale manager Steve Eyre told BBC Radio Manchester:

"Goals change games and physical strength was the difference between the two teams today.

"We were under some pressure right from the kick off.

"We played and we've passed and we enjoyed spells and we've had chances today but you saw the benefit of having strong men."

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Sheffield United

  • 01 Simonsen
  • 02 Lowton
  • 03 Lescinel
  • 15 Collins
  • 19 Maguire
  • 08 Doyle
  • 14 Williamson
  • 27 McDonald (Montgomery - 88' )
  • 28 Quinn (Flynn - 82' )
  • 09 Evans
  • 17 Cresswell (Porter - 83' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Long
  • 06 Ertl
  • 04 Montgomery
  • 11 Flynn
  • 21 Porter

Rochdale

  • 23 Lucas (Edwards - 45' )
  • 02 Darby
  • 17 Holden
  • 22 Jordan
  • 06 Barry-Murphy
  • 07 Kennedy
  • 08 Jones
  • 10 Grimes (Bergkamp - 73' )
  • 11 Adams (Akpa Akpro - 67' )
  • 09 Bunn
  • 39 Ball

Substitutes

  • 21 Edwards
  • 03 Widdowson
  • 16 Tutte
  • 26 Akpa Akpro
  • 27 Bergkamp
Ref: Whitestone
Att: 15,892

Match Stats

Shots

16 6

On target

7 3

Corners

6 9

Fouls

7 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:40

The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +3:06

The ball is delivered by Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, Neill Collins manages to make a clearance. Corner taken left-footed by Brian Barry-Murphy from the right by-line, Neill Collins manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +1:15

Harry Bunn is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Steve Simonsen.

89:59

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Brian Barry-Murphy by Chris Porter. Brian Barry-Murphy takes the indirect free kick.

87:53

Effort on goal by Harry Bunn from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

87:13 Substitution

Substitution Nick Montgomery is brought on as a substitute for Kevin McDonald.

86:31

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Brian Barry-Murphy, clearance made by Lecsinel Jean-Francois.

82:54

Corner from the left by-line taken by Brian Barry-Murphy, clearance by Harry Maguire. Brian Barry-Murphy takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Neill Collins.

82:54 Substitution

Substitution Chris Porter joins the action as a substitute, replacing Richard Cresswell.

82:54

The ball is sent over by David Ball, Neill Collins gets a block in.

81:51

Matthew Lowton delivers the ball, Richard Cresswell has a headed effort from close in and clears the bar.

81:14 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Quinn leaves the field to be replaced by Ryan Flynn.

81:00

The ball is delivered by Stephen Quinn, clearance made by Stephen Jordan.

79:31

Brian Barry-Murphy takes a corner. Corner taken by Brian Barry-Murphy, Lecsinel Jean-Francois manages to make a clearance.

78:23

Effort from deep inside the area by Dean Holden clears the bar.

77:14

Harry Bunn delivers the ball, blocked by Stephen Quinn. Brian Barry-Murphy decides to take a short corner. Corner taken by Brian Barry-Murphy from the right by-line, Neill Collins manages to make a clearance.

75:45

Roland Bergkamp concedes a free kick for a foul on Harry Maguire. Free kick taken by Harry Maguire. Effort on goal by Ched Evans from just inside the area clears the bar.

75:33

The ball is sent over by Ched Evans, Dean Holden manages to make a clearance.

74:40

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Jordan on Ched Evans. Direct free kick taken by Neill Collins.

72:27 Substitution

Substitution Ashley Grimes goes off and Roland Bergkamp comes on.

71:32

The assistant referee flags for offside against Ched Evans. Free kick taken by Dean Holden.

70:29

The official flags Ched Evans offside. Indirect free kick taken by Matthew Edwards.

68:28

A cross is delivered by Stephen Quinn, Brian Barry-Murphy makes a clearance.

67:58

Gary Jones takes a shot. Save made by Steve Simonsen.

65:04 Substitution

Substitution Nicky Adams goes off and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro comes on.

65:04

Ched Evans takes a shot. Matthew Edwards gets a block in. Corner taken right-footed by Lee Williamson, Harry Maguire takes a shot. Stephen Darby gets a block in. Corner taken by Lee Williamson from the right by-line, clearance by Stephen Darby. Corner taken by Lee Williamson, Header from deep inside the area by Harry Maguire goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

63:41

The assist for the goal came from Richard Cresswell.

63:41 Goal scored

Goal - Ched Evans - Sheff Utd 3 - 0 Rochdale Ched Evans scores a goal direct from the free kick from outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Sheff Utd 3-0 Rochdale.

62:42

Stephen Jordan concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Cresswell.

60:53

The official flags Richard Cresswell offside. Free kick taken by Matthew Edwards.

60:16

Matthew Lowton has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

56:37

Assist by Lecsinel Jean-Francois.

56:37 Goal scored

Goal - Richard Cresswell - Sheff Utd 2 - 0 Rochdale Richard Cresswell finds the net with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Sheff Utd 2-0 Rochdale.

56:28

A cross is delivered by Lecsinel Jean-Francois,

55:31

The ball is delivered by Lecsinel Jean-Francois, save by Matthew Edwards.

52:37

Harry Bunn takes a shot. Steve Simonsen makes a brilliant save.

50:58

Lecsinel Jean-Francois is caught offside. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Edwards.

50:04

Centre by Nicky Adams, clearance made by Neill Collins.

49:02

The ball is swung over by Lee Williamson, Ched Evans produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

46:45

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jason Kennedy by Kevin McDonald. Stephen Darby takes the direct free kick.

45:30

Lecsinel Jean-Francois is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick crossed left-footed by Brian Barry-Murphy, clearance made by Neill Collins.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +11:40

The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +11:21

Lecsinel Jean-Francois produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.

45:00 +10:54

Outswinging corner taken by Lee Williamson, Dean Holden manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +10:04

Matthew Lowton delivers the ball, save by Matthew Edwards.

45:00 +8:53 Substitution

Substitution Matthew Edwards is brought on as a substitute for David Lucas.

43:57

Stephen Jordan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ched Evans. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Lee Williamson from left channel, Dean Holden manages to make a clearance.

42:42

Matthew Lowton crosses the ball, Stephen Quinn produces a volleyed left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.

41:36

Effort from outside the penalty area by Matthew Lowton goes wide left of the goal.

39:36

Lee Williamson crosses the ball, David Lucas makes a save.

38:01 Goal scored

Goal - Ched Evans - Sheff Utd 1 - 0 Rochdale Ched Evans grabs a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Sheff Utd 1-0 Rochdale.

36:48

Centre by Stephen Quinn, David Lucas makes a save.

36:24

The ball is swung over by Stephen Quinn, Ched Evans takes a shot. Save by David Lucas.

35:10

A cross is delivered by Matthew Lowton, David Lucas makes a save.

33:39

Richard Cresswell challenges Stephen Jordan unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by David Lucas.

30:49

Richard Cresswell delivers the ball, Dean Holden manages to make a clearance.

30:38

The ball is sent over by Nicky Adams, clearance by Neill Collins.

30:14

Lee Williamson delivers the ball, Stephen Jordan makes a clearance.

29:22

Ashley Grimes concedes a free kick for a foul on Harry Maguire. Steve Simonsen takes the indirect free kick.

29:02

Harry Bunn takes a shot. Stephen Quinn gets a block in.

28:28

Inswinging corner taken by Brian Barry-Murphy from the right by-line, clearance by Harry Maguire.

27:59

Lecsinel Jean-Francois delivers the ball, blocked by Stephen Darby.

26:49

Ched Evans crosses the ball, clearance by Jason Kennedy.

25:32

Foul by Harry Maguire on Ashley Grimes, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Brian Barry-Murphy from left wing, clearance by Lecsinel Jean-Francois.

23:31

Foul by Harry Bunn on Lecsinel Jean-Francois, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Matthew Lowton.

22:32

Shot from long range by Ched Evans misses to the right of the goal.

19:01

A cross is delivered by Matthew Lowton.

17:22

The ball is sent over by David Ball, Matthew Lowton manages to make a clearance.

17:05

Nicky Adams crosses the ball, save made by Steve Simonsen.

15:33

Harry Maguire concedes a free kick for a foul on David Ball. Gary Jones takes the direct free kick.

14:33

Short corner taken by Lee Williamson. The ball is swung over by Lee Williamson.

13:57

David Ball takes a shot from long range which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

13:09

Ched Evans concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Darby. Indirect free kick taken by David Lucas.

12:08

Nicky Adams sends in a cross, clearance by Matthew Lowton.

11:50

Stephen Quinn produces a cross, David Lucas makes a save.

10:27

Nicky Adams sends in a cross.

9:29

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin McDonald on Jason Kennedy. David Lucas restarts play with the free kick.

9:22

Lee Williamson delivers the ball, Stephen Darby manages to make a clearance.

6:38

Richard Cresswell is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Stephen Jordan.

6:07

Kevin McDonald delivers the ball, David Lucas makes a save.

5:20

Stephen Quinn takes a shot. Save made by David Lucas. Outswinging corner taken by Lee Williamson from the right by-line played to the near post, Gary Jones manages to make a clearance.

0:16

Ched Evans fouled by Gary Jones, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Doyle takes the direct free kick.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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