Source: Daily_Mail
Reading 0 Sheffield United 1: Blades leap into automatic promotion places
At a time in the season when all that matters is points, Sheffield United forced a dramatic victory at promotion rivals Reading that sent them into the automatic promotion places for the first time this season.[LNB]Match-winner: Brian Howard celebrates his goal for Sheffield United [LNB]Brian Howard's firmly-struck winner on the hour means that Kevin Blackwell's men usurped Birmingham City, who must gain at least a point from their visit to Charlton this afternoon to reassume second place.[LNB] Wolves 3 Southampton 0: Wotte a to-do as Wolves close in on the top flight[LNB]The Good Friday tension was evident throughout at the Madejski Stadium with both sides aware that the losers will most likely be spending the rest of April summoning up courage for the play-offs rather than viewing direct entry into the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]That appears to Reading's fate now. Even though Steve Coppell's side deserved a point from a bristling encounter in which 13 minutes were added for serious injuries to Kalifa Cisse of Reading and United midfielder Jamie Ward, the visitors possessed that intangible quality that makes the difference - belief.[LNB]By their strutting demeanour as much as their biting competitiveness, it was clear that United believe that automatic promotion is their destiny. From the moment John-Joe O'Toole threw his head at the ball inside the first five minutes, they pressed forward in determination rather than the hope that characterised many of Reading's attacks.[LNB]For Blackwell, the victory was paramount in professional terms, albeit an irrelevance in personal terms for the manager, whose dog Chester has just been diagnosed with cancer and will be put to sleep this weekend.[LNB]Blackwell said: 'That brings you back down to earth, doesn't it? But I must say that my players showed every characteristic you would ask of them as a manager. Every game now is so big. Ideally I would have liked to have gone second on the last day of the season, but we can't ask much more than doing it with four games left.'[LNB]Too often, Reading found the wrong man was on hand when the ball dropped inside the United area. Central defenders Michael Duberry and Andre Bikey were two such players. Predictably they both miscued their efforts and sent shots high into the stands.[LNB] Time to celebrate: Sheffield United have taken the lead [LNB] The end of the first half was marred by a horrific whiplash injury to Cisse, who fell under a challenge from Darius Henderson and whose head rocked back as it collided with the ground. The Mali international received seven minutes of attention and was given oxygen as he was stretchered off, but fortunately regained consciousness on the way to hospital.[LNB]The second half was even more frantic. especially in a three-minute spell around the hour. A superb cross from Jimmy Kebe fell perfectly for the incoming Dave Kitson, who ought to have done better with his header than direct against the bar.[LNB]How costly that miss proved. Within 60 seconds, Matthew Kilgallon's header fell onto the bar at the other end, but this time the ball looped into the path of Howard whose firm diagonal shot found the bottom corner.[LNB]No sooner had the United celebrations quietened than Kitson's stunning half-volley from a Kevin Doyle pass forced a marvellous reaction save from Paddy Kenny.[LNB]Still, though, it appeared that Blackwell's team possessed a fire which raged more fiercely within. Craig Beattie almsot made their lead secure 15 minutes from time, while Reading substitute Jay Tabb dragged the home side's best chance wide.[LNB]Coppell tried to remain upbeat afterwards, even though his side's stuttering form suggests a hard month ahead. He said: 'Given the recent home form we get panicky and anxious when we go a goal down. We want to win our last five games. We're still in the fight, of course we are.'[LNB] Stricken: Reading's Kalifa Cisse is taken off injured[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]
