But Blades win is marred by Coutts’ horror injury

SHEFFIELD UNITED lost Paul Coutts with a horrific leg break as Billy Sharp’s double took the Blades back to the top of the Championship.

The Scottish midfielder was taken to hospital after lengthy treatment on the pitch and was carried off on a stretcher just before half-time.

He had a shot saved then collided with a player in what appeared to be a freak accident.

Nigel Clough’s struggling Brewers got into the game with a cracking goal from Matty Palmer – his first for nearly a year – but Sharp could not be stopped.

Clough had said his team were giving away too many soft goals and they had to cut it out, so what did they do? Go a goal down after only 10 minutes.

Defender Kyle Mcfadzean gave Sharp a shove as he went for John Fleck’s pass in the box.

It was a gift for Blades skipper Sharp, who picked himself up to score his seventh goal of the season from the penalty spot. Palmer’s 25-yard equaliser came in the 31st minute, but three minutes later Burton gave away another soft goal for Sharp to capitalise on.

Cameron Cartervickers’pass was allowed to find Sharp, who slid the ball past keeper Stephen Bywater.

Leon Clarke, set up by his striking partner Sharp, smacked a bending shot against the post and then finished off Burton with a diving header from Fleck’s through ball 12 minutes from time.