Goals from Scott Hogan and Jack O’Connell gave Sheffield United a 2-0 victory over Ipswich which leaves them on the brink of promotion to the Premier League.
With Leeds playing Aston Villa tomorrow, the automatic promotion places have yet to be finalised but barring a sizeable swing, United’s superior goal difference looks certain to see them secure a return to the top flight for the first time since 2007.
United boss Chris Wilder made one change to his starting line-up with Chris Basham returning in place of Martin Cranie. Billy Sharp returned the substitutes’ bench after recovering from injury.
Hogan then went close, poking wide from John Fleck’s low cross, while Ipswich’s first effort came when Flynn Downes put a 25-yard effort wide.
Hogan opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a deft touch from O’Connell’s ball in to ease the tension among the home supporters.
Norwood went close to extending United’s lead three minutes after the break when his angled free-kick struck the far post.
Norwood then turned provider, sending over a perfect cross from the right which was met by McGoldrick but the ex-Ipswich striker headed into the side netting – prompting a section of home fans to celebrate, thinking it had gone the other side of the post.
The goal came in the 71st minute when Fleck’s corner was met by a close-range header from O’Connell, sparking joyous scenes among the home support.
The final whistle was greeted with a thunderous roar from the 30,000-plus crowd and despite the club’s appeals to keep the pitch clear, a small number of fans did enter the field of play.
