Hull 0-3 Sheffield United: The Blades make a statement in their race for promotion with a big win away Sheffield United are chasing an automatic promotion to the Premier League David McGoldrick got Sheffield United off to a dream start with a headed goal He then doubled their lead with a spectacular curling effort from outside the box Enda Stevens then gave the Blades an unassailable 3-0 lead before half-time By Richard Gibson For Mailonline Published: 16:50 BST, 22 April 2019 | Updated: 16:59 BST, 22 April 2019 1 Viewcomments Sheffield United provided the most emphatic response to Leeds’ relinquishing of the box seat in the Championship’s automatic promotion to leave themselves two wins shy of the Premier League. So clinical were Chris Wilder’s team in their dispatch of a Hull team previously unbeaten in 12 matches at home - a run stretching back to November - that their goal difference is now effectively worth an extra point in the quest for a top-two finish. Leeds’ shock defeat to Wigan at the start of Easter left the two Yorkshire clubs level on points but separated by six goals heading into the final fortnight of the campaign. David McGoldrick heads in from close range from a corner, completely unmarked in the box Sheffield United's David McGoldrick celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match David McGoldrick's second goal was far more impressive, a curling effort from outside the box MATCH FACTS AND LEAGUE TABLE Hull 4-4-1-1: Long; Kane, McKenzie, de Wijs, Lichaj; Bowen, Batty, Irvine, Grosicki; Pugh (Toral 68); Campbell (Dicko 68) Subs not used: Marshall, Stewart, Goebel, Martin, Ridgewell Goals: None Sheffield United 3-5-2: Henderson; O'Connell, Egan, Cranie; Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Duffy (Basham 60), Baldock; McGoldrick (Washington 90), Hogan (Madine 71) Subs not used: Lundstram, Dowell, Stearman, Moore Goals: McGoldrick (10, 22), Stevens (42) Attendance: 14,116 Championship Premier League Championship League One League Two Scottish Premiership Scottish Div 1 Scottish Div 2 Scottish Div 3 Ligue 1 Serie A La Liga Bundesliga By the full-time whistle, however, United had swelled that advantage to three points and a nine-goal swing via a combination of stunning finishes and horrific defending from a team who were chasing a play-off spot until just a few days ago. In the absence of Billy Sharp, the club’s talismanic captain and leading scorer, it was David McGoldrick who took on the responsibility of providing the firepower with a stunning first-half brace. How he enjoys playing against Hull. Having netted the only goal in the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane, and scored for Ipswich at the KCOM Stadium last season, he took just 10 minutes to add another. The Republic of Ireland international’s jostling with Eric Lichaj deep in Hull territory earned the corner from which John Fleck delivered towards the penalty spot. McGoldrick’s run to the near post was not tracked and he powered a free header beyond George Long, the former Sheffield United goalkeeper making his full league debut for Hull after regular number one David Marshall was dropped. Sheffield United fans were in dream land as Enda Stevens scored their third of the match The game was marred by an ugly incident in the first half where a fight broke out in the crowd Sheffield United's David McGoldrick pictured taking a curling shot from outside the area Some of the more excitable travelling supporters took their celebrations beyond the segregation in the north stand, leading to ejections for some following minor scuffles in the home section. The 2,500 who had travelled from South Yorkshire, had plenty more to shout about in the opening 45 minutes as every cross into the Hull area induced panic in a home side missing the injured central defender Reece Burke. Long fisted out under pressure from multiple red-and-white-striped shirts, from an Oliver Norwood free-kick, while John Egan ghosted in to glance wide after evading his marker at a John Fleck corner. In between, McGoldrick produced the contest’s one moment of high quality when he made Hull pay for a reluctance to close him down by arrowing the ball into the top corner from 25 yards for his 15th goal of the campaign. United then put the result beyond doubt three minutes before the break as their two full-backs lined to devastating effect. Sheffield United's Chris Basham and Hull City's Kamil Grosicki go up to contest a header Sheffield United goalscorer David McGoldrick competes for the ball with Hull's Jordy de Wijs Sheffield United players come together in celebration as they go after automatic promotion George Baldock’s surge down the right flank provided the room to swing over a deep cross and Enda Stevens did not need to break stride as he headed in on the run. The second period lacked the drama of the first but United highlighted they can be as equally disciplined in defence as ruthless in attack by shutting out a team that had struck 24 goals in nine matches on their own turf in 2019. In fact, United could have added further gloss but for Long, who kept out a Fleck effort following an audacious one-two with McGoldrick 10 minutes from the end. Regardless of the margin, though, it was a comfortable completion of a first league double over Hull since the 2005-06 season when the club was promoted to the Premier League under Neil Warnock. As Leeds prepared to walk out at Brentford for their evening kick-off, the portents for the same fate occurring were looking good. Sheffield United Chris Wilder would've been very happy with his team's start to the match Conversely, Hull City's boss Nigel Adkins had a lot work to do to try and comeback into it Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility