Sheffield United 1-2 Coventry City: Sky Blues Sting Blades Play-off Hopes in Comeback | OneFootball

Sheffield United suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at home against Championship leaders Coventry City on Wednesday night.

The Blades took the lead early in the second half after a neat Gustavo Hamer pass found Harrison Burrows inside the box who fired home after a clever swivel. Coventry soon fired back when Haji Wright was allowed to cut inside into the box on his right foot and his low strike went under Michael Cooper and into the net. Five minutes later, Coventry took the lead as Mason-Clark picked out Jack Rudoni with a curved cross from the left and his header rippled the net.

Lineups

Blades: Cooper, Tanganga, Bindon, Hamer, O’Hare (Campbell 76), Brooks (Chong 83), Burrows, Soumare (Riedewald 72), Seriki (Hoever 83), Peck, Bamford.

Unused: A. Davies, Arblaster, Hjelde, Cannon, McGuinness.

Coventry: Rushworth, Dasilva, Thomas, Rudoni (Eccles 75), Grimes, Sakamoto (Kesler-Hayden 90), Mason-Clark (Thomas-Asante 67), Wright (Simms 75), Onyeka (Torp 90), Latibeaudiere, van Ewijk.

Unused: Wilson, Esse, Kitching, Bidwell.

First Half

Sheffield United made a purposeful start, immediately asserting themselves in the contest. A sweeping switch of play from Brooks opened up the space for Hamer, whose low delivery flashed dangerously across the face of goal before Rushworth reacted smartly to tip it behind.

Still on top, Burrows looked to make his mark, driving in at an angle and forcing Rushworth into another sharp save as the goalkeeper beat the effort away.

The visitors, however, soon found a foothold and threatened three times in quick succession. Twice it was Wright at the heart of the danger after Rudoni powered his way into the penalty area, unsettling the United backline. Bamford then squandered the best opportunity of the half, racing onto Peck’s excellent through ball but failing to convert when well placed.

United needed Seriki to produce a vital defensive intervention to deny Wright from close range after van Ewijk drilled a low ball across the face of goal. At the other end, the final chance of the opening 45 minutes saw O’Hare glance a header wide of the far post from Burrows’ outswinging free kick, as the Blades went into the break ruing missed opportunities.

Second Half

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Harrison Burrows of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Coventry City at Bramall Lane on February 25, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Burrows, fresh from scoring against relegated rivals Wednesday at the weekend, did manage to find the breakthrough shortly after the restart. Collecting a sublime reverse pass from former Coventry midfielder Gustavo Hamer, he kept his composure and fired home to give United a deserved lead.

Four minutes later, Brooks nearly doubled the advantage, only to be denied once again by the impressive Rushworth. That save proved a turning point.

City responded and Haji Wright drew them level with a powerful strike that Cooper will feel he should have dealt with. The momentum had shifted, and just five minutes later the turnaround was complete. Jack Rudoni timed his run to perfection to meet an inswinging cross from Ephron Mason-Clark, guiding a decisive header beyond Cooper.

United pushed for a response and felt aggrieved when Campbell went down under pressure as he advanced into the area. Strong appeals for a penalty were waved away, and to compound the frustration, the substitute was instead booked for simulation as the clock ticked down.