McGOLDRICK ENDS DROUGHT AND SHARP BAGS WINNER

NOT even Pele or Puscas could stop Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United train from rolling on. Dreams of Europe and now the last eight of the FA Cup. When will Wilder’s powers wane? Here, Reading pushed their visitors beyond 90 minutes. But, at the end of a long, tense tie, United stood tall thanks to one of their shortest stars. Billy Sharp netted an extratime winner after George Puscas’ penalty cancelled out David McGoldrick’s first club goal in nearly a year. Even after Sharp’s intervention, Pele came within a whisker of forcing penalties. But, instead, United are in the quarters for the first time since 2014. After only a minute, McGoldrick buried a free header from seven yards and, soon, the visitors’ unrelenting possession began to suck the life out of the game. But, then, three minutes before half-time, a lifeline for Reading. From a harmless ball into the box, Andy Rinomhota went down under a challenge from George Baldock. It looked a soft call from referee Kevin Friend but Puscas didn’t care. He beat Dean Henderson. Game on.

The goal seemed to shock United, who struggled to re-establish a foothold. Instead it was Reading who, despite being 16th in the second tier, were on the front foot. They created little to show for it and, eventually, paid the price. United had to wait until the 105th minute before a chance eventually stuck, with substitute Sharp making no mistake after Freeman’s cross reached him at the back post. Not even their famous names could help Reading come back this time. Wilder was delighted with the hard-fought win. ‘The biggest thing is getting through,’ said the Blades boss. ‘We got the job done and found a way to win. It was a difficult night for us.’