Sheffield United's resurgence gathered further pace with a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Stoke City at Bramall Lane, a result that underlined just how far Chris Wilder's side have travelled from their early-season struggles. First-half goals from Mark McGuinness, Femi Seriki and Patrick Bamford put the Blades in complete control, before Sydie Peck's second-half penalty rounded off a joint record victory over the Potters.
For Stoke, who arrived with the Championship's meanest defence having conceded only 18 goals in 19 matches, this was a chastening afternoon. Mark Robins' team have now lost four of their past five games and, despite a handful of dangerous moments, they were outplayed in both boxes by a United side who have climbed five points clear of the relegation zone and to within eight points of the top six after losing 11 of their first 14 league fixtures.
Set-piece supremacy puts United in early command
United were on the front foot from the first whistle and found a breakthrough inside 10 minutes. Gustavo Hamer, whose delivery has become a major weapon in this renewed Blades side, whipped over a vicious corner that swung straight on to McGuinness's forehead. The centre-back, left unchallenged in the heart of the area, thundered a powerful header past Viktor Johansson for his first goal since joining the club.