Head injury casts a shadow over Heckingbottom’s winning start

Sky Bet Championship at Bramall Lane

A new era brought new hope for Sheffield United as Paul Heckingbottom’s first game in charge delivered a victory. But it was overshadowed by another worrying head injury to Nathan Baker, which put the Bristol City defender in hospital again.

After Chris Wilder left Bramall Lane in March, Heckingbottom was promoted from under-23s coach into the top job until the end of last season, when he was replaced by Slavisa Jokanovic.

The Serb, however, was axed on Thursday with Heckingbottom this time handed the job permanently, and goals from Rhian Brewster and Billy Sharp clinched this win.

The visitors lost Baker shortly after the hour following an aerial challenge with Chris Basham. He needed lengthy medical attention before being carried off on a stretcher with his neck in a brace.

The 30-year-old has only recently recovered from a concussion injury sustained against West Bromwich Albion, which had sidelined him for three games and also required treatment in hospital.

City manager Nigel Pearson said: “It was another of Nathan’s committed challenges and they have taken him to hospital to check him over.”

The club tweeted last night that Baker “has been discharged from hospital into the care of the #Bristolcity medical team”.

United created a glut of first-half chances but it was not until the 40th minute that Brewster, who failed to score last season after joining from Liverpool in a £23.5million clubrecord move, opened the scoring.

The 21-year-old collected a pass from Enda Stevens and turned neatly before finding the net. Chances continued to come for United and Sharp came off the bench to rifle home a David Mcgoldrick cross in the closing stages.

“I was pleased with lots of things in the game,” Heckingbottom said after a win which lifted United to within six points of the play-off places. “We were easily good value for our lead at half-time – we’d had 21 shots – so when that second goal went in, it was important.”

Brewster was forced off with a hamstring strain and Heckingbottom said: “Rhian is a great kid to be around. I really like him and every single person wants him to do well. But he knows he’s going to be pushed, so we just hope he responds in the right way.”