“Embrace the Pressure” – Chris Wilder’s Message to Sheffield United as Blades Sit Top With Seven Games Left | OneFootball

It’s advantage Sheffield United as the Blades finish gameweek 39 at the top of the Championship after Leeds United surrendered a 2-1 lead in the 96th minute to Swansea City, at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

United, kicking off on Friday night and breezing past in-form Coventry City, started the game at a frantic pace at Bramall Lane. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute following Bobby Thomas’ foul on Gustavo Hamer. The Brazilian midfielder took full advantage, curling a stunning free-kick over the wall and into the top-right corner from around 30 yards out.

Momentum continued to build, and just past the half-hour mark, the home side struck again. Femi Seriki displayed skill and determination as he rode a challenge before delivering a precise ball across the box. Tyrese Campbell was perfectly positioned to apply a clinical first-time finish, extending the lead to 2-0.

The Blades effectively sealed the result in the 62nd minute. Rhian Brewster capitalised on a well-timed lay-off from Ben Brereton Diaz, confidently sweeping the ball home. The goal marked Brewster’s second in as many games, the first time he has scored in consecutive matches since his loan spell at Swansea in 2020 when he was still a Liverpool prospect.

Coventry didn’t quit as they attempted to salvage some pride, and substitute Jack Rudoni gave the away side something to see when he bagged a consolation from close range following a mix-up between Michael Cooper and the Blades’ defenders.

Chris Wilder Reflects on “Highly Technical Game” as Sheffield United Breeze Past Coventry City

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 28: Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United celebrates with team-mates Harrison Burrows and Hamza Choudhury after scoring the opening goal from a free-kick during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Coventry City FC at Bramall Lane on March 28, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, speaking to SUTV, expressed his delight after the victory, highlighting the importance of maintaining form during the final stretch of the season. “We had to be at our best because of the quality of the opposition,” he said. “I thought it was a highly technical game, a lot of quality, a lot of good players on show; how it should be at the top end of the Championship.”

“I thought my team enjoyed the occasion and played with a smile and a swagger about them and scored some great goals. I was delighted with the way we handled the first 5-10 minutes after halftime; there was always going to be a reaction from them and they had to up the tempo to try and get back into the game, and we saw that period out. And knowing that on transition we have the ability and the quality to go and hurt teams and we did that. It’s a fabulous third goal from us in terms of the way we moved the ball.”

Wilder reserved special praise for Rhian Brewster, whose confidence is growing at a crucial time.”I’m absolutely delighted for Rhian. He scored a big goal in front of a kop a little while ago, and he’s scored another big goal in front of a kop tonight. Delighted for him.”

With the pressure mounting in the promotion race, Wilder, who has been in this situation before, stressed the importance of relishing the challenge. “Whatever the fixture list chucks up, we’ve got to win games of football. This is the really important part of the season; we wouldn’t be in this position if we hadn’t attacked the first part of the season and we’re Sheffield United in this division, we’ve got a target on our backs” he said.

“We’re an ex-Premier League club, we started with -2 points, there’s pressure to play for this football club right the way through. I think the connection between the players and supporters is amazing. They’re looking and seeing footballers that want to play for the football club and a team that wants to give everything. I’ve had the experience before so to manage this group is a privilege and a pleasure and I’ve told them all along: they have to embrace and enjoy it.”

He added: “It’s not every season you’re in and around it. When they look back on their careers they might have two or three promotions or whatever, and a lot of the time nothing happens. A few times you have to suffer, so we have to really enjoy it as a club. 30,000 [fans] here tonight was fabulous, and all I ask is that the supporters give us the backing in the final three home games that they’ve given us tonight.”

Frank Lampard Assesses Blades vs Coventry as United Hope Sky Blues Do Them A Favour Next Week

Coventry manager Frank Lampard acknowledged United’s clinical finishing was the main difference between the two sides on the night. “Sometimes you have got to credit the opposition. We’re a good team and that’s why we’ve been on this run, and I thought we started pretty well, decent possession and no massive chances at either end.

“It’s a clinical free-kick and what can you do to an extent, other than the foul that happens and then Hamer puts it into the top corner. They were more clinical, and they were better than us in both boxes. In the middle of the pitch, I thought it was a good trade off.”

The Blades head into April top of the league with a chance to extend their unbeaten run to six matches against an out of form team in Oxford United on Saturday. The early kick-offs on Saturday see Leeds United travel to Luton Town and Burnley travelling to Coventry, these games could provide the Championship with yet more twists in the promotion race.