Sheffield United 3-1 Coventry City: Tyrese Campbell copies Alexander Isak’s iconic celebration as Blades beat Frank Lampard’s side to top the Championship

Chris Wilder said he could enjoy his weekend after Sheffield United made light work of play-off hopefuls Coventry to take another big step towards a Premier League return.

Gus Hamer opened the scoring against his former club with a brilliant free-kick and after Tyrese Campbell had put the hosts 2-0 up at half-time, Rhian Brewster added a game-clinching third to put the Blades back on top of the Championship.

Jack Rudoni volleyed a stoppage-time consolation for Coventry as the Blades secured their 10th win in their last 13 league matches to open up a three-point lead over second-placed Leeds, who play Swansea at home today.

United also cranked up the pressure on Burnley, climbing five points clear of the other automatic promotion challengers, and Blades boss Wilder said: ‘It was a great night for our supporters. To win on a Friday night, we can now enjoy the weekend.’

Of Hamer’s brilliant opener, he added: ‘To get that goal and get us on our way, it was fabulous.’

Hamer’s moment of magic came on 19 minutes when he picked himself up after being hauled down by Coventry defender Bobby Thomas 25 yards from goal before curling his free-kick over the wall and into visiting goalkeeper Oliver Dovin’s top left-hand corner.

Gustavo Hamer pulled off a piece of magic to get on the scoresheet against his former team 

It’s a great result for Blades boss Chris Wilder whose side go top of the Championship table

It was Hamer’s eighth league goal of the season, though his celebrations were muted having left the Sky Blues for Bramall Lane in August 2023.

‘I just want to show with my feet what I can do and I hit it nicely,’ he said. ‘But I couldn’t celebrate too much. I had such a good time there and I love the (Coventry) fans like I do a lot of our fans.’

United extended their lead in the 30th minute. Hamza Choudhury and Femi Seriki combined down the right and the latter’s low, drilled cross was deftly turned home by Campbell for his 10th league goal of the season.

Coventry were dealt another blow before the break when Dovin was carried off on a stretcher following Campbell’s challenge.

United extended their lead on 62 minutes with their first chance since the interval. Ben Brereton Diaz’s drive into the box scattered defenders and he teed up Brewster to sweep home.

Rudoni volleyed home a consolation but and Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard admitted: ‘Sometimes you have to say well done to a team who are top.’