Stoke City remain in relegation danger
Stoke City 0 - 2 Sheffield United
Sheffield United came out on top in a lively contest against struggling Stoke City, leaving the Potters still battling to avoid relegation from the Championship.
The Blades had seen their hopes of automatic promotion ended on Monday evening after losing at Burnley, a result that confirmed both the Clarets and Leeds United's return to the Premier League. Leeds had earlier thrashed Stoke 6-0 to seal their place in the top flight.
Sam McCallum put Sheffield United ahead before half-time with his first goal since September. The opportunity came when Rhian Brewster's deep corner was mistakenly headed back across goal by Stoke substitute Bosun Lawal.
Fellow substitute Ali Al-Hamadi tested Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper with a sharp low save as Stoke pressed for a late equaliser. However, Sheffield United sealed the win when Andre Brooks, who had just come off the bench, scored with his very first touch.
The defeat leaves Stoke just four points above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's fixtures.
Sheffield United, whose third-place finish was confirmed earlier in the week, opted to rest midfielder Gus Hamer and forward Ben Brereton Diaz as they prepare for another attempt to win promotion through the play-offs.
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Blades bounce back
Sheffield United had been on course for automatic promotion when they went into April top of the table.
Monday's reverse at Burnley was a fourth defeat in five and third away loss in a row as they paid the price of losing form at the worst time of the season.
Due to their top-two hopes being over, Chris Wilder made six changes and he will have been pleased with how his much-changed side started in the West Midlands, as former Stoke man Tyrese Campbell went close early on.
Stoke fans must be getting nervous
Across the stadium, they grew increasingly restless as the second half wore on. The side offered little in attack for most of the game.
Currently, in 17th place, they will hope the weekend results are enough to secure their survival before next week's trip to fellow strugglers Derby. If the results go against them, it might be a very nervy end to the season.
