Sheffield United 2-0 Rotherham United: Blades beat 10-man Millers to boost promotion push

Will Vaulks was sent off just days after signing a new contract for next season with Rotherham

Sheffield United continued their push for automatic promotion with a seventh successive home win as they beat 10-man Rotherham United at Bramall Lane.

Defender Jack O'Connell gave the Blades the perfect start by turning in Oliver Norwood's clever low corner as the Rotherham defence was slow to react.

The long throws of captain Will Vaulks looked a likely way for Rotherham to conjure a reply, but that threat disappeared when he was sent off for a late tackle on George Baldock.

Chris Wilder's side dominated a second half played in driving rain and, just seconds after Marek Rodak made a superb save to keep out an Enda Stevens header, the keeper was beaten by Mark Duffy's strike.

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The victory made it eight games unbeaten for the Blades and lifted them back up to second in the Championship, although they later reverted to third after Leeds won at Bristol City.

The Millers went into the South Yorkshire derby unbeaten in six matches - albeit with only one win and five draws in that run - but the odds were stacked against them once Vaulks was punished for his rash challenge after a loose pass.

Their players wore black armbands in memory of chairman Tony Stewart's wife Joan, who died earlier this week, and there was applause for her from all sides of the ground in the 74th minute.

Rotherham did not manage a single shot on target and Rodak was kept busy with saves to deny John Fleck, Norwood and David McGoldrick twice, as well as Stevens

Duffy, however, gave Rodak no chance with a shot into the top corner for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Rotherham's defeat meant they remained third from bottom of the table, a point behind Millwall.

Jack O'Connell's goal was only his second of the season for Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder:

"They're stubborn opposition so we prepared just as much as any other game this year.

"It was two different styles today, it's back to front for them and it's effective. They ask questions so I am delighted that we answered those questions defensively.

"We started the game in a tremendous fashion and obviously we got an early lead after a couple of good chances before then.

"It was difficult because they sat in and at times maybe we tried to be too precise but we were always looking to get a second goal."

Rotherham boss Paul Warne:

"We're not a dirty team. I think Will is just really competitive, he plays with his heart on his sleeve and that's why he is so good for us.

"I don't think he has gone into the tackle with any intent to hurt the lad but obviously his exuberance meant it was a red.

"The lads put in everything they've got, I've got no complaints at all and I'm proud to be their manager.

"Two-nil away from home doesn't sound like a great result but goal difference is key for us. It could have ended up being a lot more so overall I've had better days but I've had worse."

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Sheff Utd

• 1Henderson
• 6BashamSubstituted forMadineat 65'minutes
• 12Egan
• 5O'Connell
• 2Baldock
• 16Norwood
• 4Fleck
• 3Stevens
• 21Duffy
• 17McGoldrickSubstituted forCranieat 84'minutes
• 11Hogan

Substitutes

• 8Dowell
• 10Sharp
• 14Madine
• 15Coutts
• 19Stearman
• 25Moore
• 28Cranie

Rotherham

• 1Rodák
• 28JonesSubstituted forCrooksat 82'minutes
• 20Ihiekwe
• 15Robertson
• 3Mattock
• 5Ajayi
• 11TaylorSubstituted forFordeat 69'minutes
• 4VaulksBooked at 28mins
• 25Wiles
• 22NewellSubstituted forWilliamsat 70'minutes
• 24Smith

Substitutes

• 6Wood
• 7Forde
• 12Price
• 13Towell
• 17Crooks
• 21Yates
• 23Williams

Referee:

Geoff Eltringham

Attendance:

27,402

Match Stats

Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamRotherham

Possession

Home72%

Away28%

Shots

Home19

Away3

Shots on Target

Home11

Away0

Corners

Home5

Away3

Fouls

Home9

Away9

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Rotherham United 0.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+6'

Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Rotherham United 0.

Posted at 90'+5'

Attempt saved. George Baldock (Sheffield United) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jack O'Connell with a cross.

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Scott Hogan (Sheffield United).

Posted at 90'+1'

Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'

Attempt missed. Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by John Fleck with a cross following a corner.

Posted at 90'

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Semi Ajayi.

Posted at 89'

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Joe Mattock.

Posted at 89'

Attempt missed. John Egan (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left following a corner.

Posted at 89'

Attempt blocked. John Fleck (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mark Duffy.

Posted at 89'

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Michael Ihiekwe.

Posted at 88'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Posted at 86'

Delay in match Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United) because of an injury.

Posted at 84'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Substitution

Posted at 84'

Substitution, Sheffield United. Martin Cranie replaces David McGoldrick.

Posted at 83'

Delay in match Clark Robertson (Rotherham United) because of an injury.

Posted at 83'

Offside, Sheffield United. Enda Stevens tries a through ball, but Scott Hogan is caught offside.

Posted at 82'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Substitution

Posted at 82'

Substitution, Rotherham United. Matt Crooks replaces Billy Jones.

Posted at 79'

Delay in match Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham United) because of an injury.

Posted at 79'

Foul by Scott Hogan (Sheffield United).

Posted at 79'

Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 79'

Attempt saved. Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by John Fleck.

Posted at 76'

Foul by Mark Duffy (Sheffield United).

Posted at 76'

Ben Wiles (Rotherham United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Goal!

Posted at 74'

Goal! Sheffield United 2, Rotherham United 0. Mark Duffy (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by John Fleck following a corner.

Posted at 74'

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Joe Mattock.

Posted at 73'

Attempt saved. Enda Stevens (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mark Duffy with a cross.

Posted at 71'

Hand ball by Mark Duffy (Sheffield United).

Posted at 71'

Attempt saved. George Baldock (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Mark Duffy.

Posted at 70'

Gary Madine (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 70'

Foul by Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham United).

Substitution

Posted at 70'

Substitution, Rotherham United. Ryan Williams replaces Joe Newell.

Substitution

Posted at 69'

Substitution, Rotherham United. Anthony Forde replaces Jon Taylor.

Posted at 67'

Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Enda Stevens.

Substitution

Posted at 65'

Substitution, Sheffield United. Gary Madine replaces Chris Basham.

Posted at 64'

Attempt missed. David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by John Fleck.

Posted at 64'

Attempt saved. David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by John Fleck.

Posted at 61'

Attempt missed. David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Mark Duffy.

Posted at 59'

Offside, Rotherham United. Michael Smith tries a through ball, but Michael Ihiekwe is caught offside.

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