Coutts and Co are enjoying Wild ride
SHEFFIELD UNITED made it four wins out of their last five games to keep them flying high at the top of the Championship.
Paul Coutts and Billy Sharp put the hosts two-up at the interval with Roy Beerens pulling a goal back for Reading late on.
United boss Chris Wilder said: “It was very satisfying. We overcame stubborn opposition, especially at the end, but I thought we were full value for our result.
“We know there is a hell of a long way to go. We’re delighted and we’re enjoying the ride.”
The opening goal came after Leon Clarke’s shot was cleared only as far as Coutts, who fired into the roof of the net from 20 yards.
United increased their lead in the 37th minute when Mark Duffy broke free on the right-hand side of the area and his ball across the face of goal was tapped in by Sharp from close range.
Beerens tried a low shot from distance and the ball rolled narrowly wide of Jamal Blackman’s right-hand post.
Visiting keeper Vito Mannone came to his side’s rescue with a fine reaction save to keep out Sharp’s close-range header following Duffy’s free-kick.
With Reading largely kept at bay, Tiago Ilori tried his luck from distance but his effort went well wide.
Jaap Stam made three changes in the second half with John Swift and Pelle Clement also joining the action and the trio helped inspire an improved display.
Beerens scored with five minutes to play to set up an interesting finish, sweeping the ball home after being set up by Modou Barrow.
Clarke had a chance to kill the game off in stoppage time when he received a long ball and advanced into the area, but Mannone came out to narrowly the angle and stood tall, blocking the striker’s shot.
Stam said: “We didn’t play in the first half how we should do. If you don’t do that, you’re making it difficult for yourself and a bit easier for the opposition.
“We knew that we were going to be facing a good team and a team in form.”