Blades beat Wolves with Clarke brace

CHAMPIONSHIP newcomers

SHEFFIELD UNITED leapfrogged WOLVES into second place by punishing a red card and a penalty miss in a 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane. United fully deserved the win for the positive approach that forced ex-loanee Conor Coady into illegally checking two-goal Leon Clarke’s clear run. Down to 10 men from the 15th minute, Wolves were hit hard by former striker Clarke. He rammed home at the far post and added a fine second half header. In between, Wolves wasted a golden chance to level as Ruben Neves struck a post with his penalty after a foul on Diogo Jota. Clarke said: ‘Every time I go out it’s a chance to show a few people who maybe think I can’t play at this level.’ Elsewhere in the Championship,

BIRMINGHAM CITY recorded their first league win since August, as Isaac Vassell’s right-foot shot secured a 1-0 victory over SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY. Lee Carsley says he doesn’t want the Birmingham job but the caretaker boss is making life easier for whoever does take over. Carsley, a Blues fan since he was a child, has started rebuilding confidence after the sacking of Harry Redknapp. Birmingham should really have sealed the victory earlier, when Cheikh N’Doye missed a chance from five yards out. But Vassell, returning from a hamstring injury, was on hand to hit home with 15 minutes left. ALAN BIGGS and RALPH ELLIS