United

LONDON, Jan 25, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Sheffield United missed the chance to go top of the Championship as they suffered a shock 3-0 loss at home to struggling Hull on Friday.

It took Hull's Matt Crooks just six minutes to open the scoring at Bramall Lane with a fine first-time effort before Matty Jacob doubled the lead in the 64th minute courtesy of a close-range finish.

A win that took the Tigers out of the relegation zone was assured two minutes from time when Harrison Burrows deflected a cross in for an own-goal.

Defeat left the Blades in second place, a point behind leaders Leeds, who face fellow promotion contenders Burnley on Monday.

Third-placed Burnley will go level on points with Leeds if they win at Turf Moor.

"It's a disappointing night," Blades boss Chris Wilder told the BBC. "There will be twists and turns right the way through. We've put ourselves in a really good position. We can't rest on our laurels and not get over this.

"We have to get over this pretty quickly. The cavalry are coming, reinforcements are coming, boys are coming back from injury. We just have to accept we've been beaten."

Hull manager Ruben Selles praised his side's character, saying: "I feel really good because of the result but also because of the performance.

"It's difficult to come and play and get points from here and I think we did a lot of good things today. I think the players fully believe in what we are doing and their application was excellent today."