BRISTOL CITY MANAGER CITES REFEREEING ‘DISGRACE’ AFTER SHEFFIELD UNITED PLAY-OFF LOSS
For the two clubs with sorest memories of Championship play-offs, it looks like Sheffield United’s turn to banish ghosts of yesteryear after the easiest of first legs at Ashton Gate.
At Bristol City – still haunted by a Dean Windass Wembley final volley 17 years ago – exorcism appears highly unlikely in 2025 as they face a second leg with a mountain to climb.
This time, the nightmare that lingers with be five minutes in which their most promising midfielder limped off injured before their best defender was handed a harsh red card after giving away a penalty.
United, meanwhile, came alive in this tie, fresh-legged after finishing their season with a whimper – 10 points behind Burnley and Leeds United but never in danger of missing fourth.
Not in United’s wildest dreams could they have forecast their path to Wembley could be so apparently straightforward. They have been involved in nine play-offs, either in League One or the Championship, and lost the lot – the worst record of any team in EFL history.
The second half was largely a formality as belief drained from City. Andre Brooks fired in the second after some good wing play from Harrison Burrows, the left-back who had earlier converted the penalty.
United then finished the job – and probably this semi-final – after Anel Ahmedhodzic nodded down a corner to allow Callum O’Hare to touch home from one yard.
Like so many play-off semi-final, first legs, there was a cagey opening but the match burst into life after 20 minutes with Tyrese Campbell’s disallowed goal for the visitors. It spurred City and a buoyant home crowd, with a thunderous Joe Williams strike cluttering the bar after some tricky work by Anis Mehmeti. The home side were steadily growing in confidence, despite Campbell again coming close as Max O’Leary dived at his feet.
But efforts were undone during a dreadful five minutes for City that will reverberate through the second leg, too. First there was the body blow of Williams, the spirited Liverpudlian midfielder, limping off injured. He walked off stirring the fans into a frenzy, gesticulating with his arms.
But another sucker punch would arrive soon after as United’s Kieffer Moore was hauled down by Dickie. A straight red card from referee Oliver Langford followed, shocking the home stands into shocked silence. From there, there was precious little chance of recovery.
Bristol City manager Liam Manning insisted Dickie’s dismissal was unjustified and revealed the club had questioned the appointment of Langford ahead of the tie. Manning said: “The whole game completely changed because of a major error.
“He [Moore] is waiting for contact and there is contact. The red has to be for no intention to play the ball and Rob kicks the ball. So I don’t get how you can not attempt to play the ball and yet kick it.
“We flagged concerns earlier in the week about his [Langford’s] performance level this season. We felt it was too big a game for him. He’s given out previous reds which have been incorrect and unfortunately he’s given another one tonight.”
10:27 PM BST
Bristol City head coach Liam Manning reacts
The decision [to send off Rob Dickie] changed everything. It’s a disgrace to be honest. We raised our concerns about the referee this week – we had him at Oxford, he got a decision wrong. Luton, Coventry, another decision wrong. You just know it’s gonna happen and that’s the frustration.
Rob kicks the ball, so I don’t get how there’s a decision like that. He makes a clear attempt to play the ball, so worst case it should be a penalty.
Most of their bench would walk into most Championship sides. They’re a really strong, talented side. In the second half it was a case of damage limitation.
We’ll go into Monday believing. The first 40 minutes were good, what we want it to look like, and we played well up there before. That’s what’s great about sport – you look at the history of sport and there are numerous upsets and comebacks.
If you lose fairly, that’s okay, but when it’s such a huge error you feel hard done by.
10:09 PM BST
Chris Wilder’s reaction
The talking point will obviously be the sending off. After that we were really professional in our approach and scored the goals at the right time.
We’re delighted but I’ve been in the game long enough - and I respect the opponent enough - to know there’s still a job to do.
10:00 PM BST
Sheffield United reaction
Harrison Burrows
Really happy with that. Obviously it’s the first leg so the job’s not done yet, but we’re in a strong position.
[Any nerves before the penalty?] Nah. Nah. I’m always confident when I step up.
Callum O’Hare
We were having a lot of the ball and we just needed a little bit of a kick [from the substitutes]. The boys know what we’ve got in the changing room, the fans definitely do. We were gutted not to get automatic promotion but we’ve got a job to do now.
09:55 PM BST
FT: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 3
Sheffield United are surely heading to Wembley to meet either Sunderland or Coventry in the play-off final. A previously tight match turned decisively their way just before half-time when Rob Dickie pulled back Kieffer Moore in the penalty area; the punishment was a red card and a penalty, converted by Harrison Burrows.
United made their man advantage count in the second half. Andre Brooks swept in the second before another substitute, Callum O’Hare, flicked ingeniously past Max O’Leary.
09:52 PM BST
89 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 3
You have to feel for Bristol City, who were right in the game until Rob Dickie conceded a penalty - and was shown a red card - on the stroke of half-time. Nine months of football gone, just like that.
09:47 PM BST
85 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 3
Sheff Utd substitution Sam McCallum on, Gus Hamer off.
09:46 PM BST
83 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 3
City substitution Sam Bell replaces Anis Mehmeti.
09:45 PM BST
83 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 3
This play-off semi-final looks already over. There’s a red flare been thrown on the pitch by United fans after their third. Apt, given City’s hopes are now up in smoke.
09:43 PM BST
81 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 3
Sheffield United bring on Rob Holding for Jack Robins.
09:42 PM BST
Goal!
79 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 3 (O’Hare) There’s the third goal! Hamer’s corner bounces around the area and is backflicked ingeniously past O’Leary by O’Hare. That’s a cracking little finish, one that surely takes Sheffield United to Wembley with a game to spare.
The corner was knocked back across to Vini Souza, who made poor contact with a shot from eight yards that was heading straight into the arms of O’Leary. O’Hare, who was trying to jump out of the way of Souza’s shot, reacted superbly to divert the ball away from O’Leary and into the net. Such a quick-witted finish.
09:40 PM BST
78 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 2
Sheffield United haven’t always enjoyed the play-off experience but they’re having loads of fun now, probing for a third goal safe in the knowledge they already have complete control of the tie.
09:37 PM BST
75 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 2
Mehmeti shoots straight at Cooper from the edge of the area. That’s Bristol City’s first attempt at goal since the red card.
Moments before that, Marcus McGuane came on for Max Bird.
09:35 PM BST
Goal!
73 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 2 (Brooks) A 2-0 lead is an even better night’s work. Sheffield United have one foot in the play-off final after an excellent second goal. They kept the ball for an age, probing patiently from side to side. Eventually Burrows’ low cross was dummied at the near post by O’Hare and ran across to the substitute Brooks, who swept a first-time shot through the left hand of O’Leary.
09:33 PM BST
71 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
The second half has been a bit of a non-event. Sheffield United have arguably been too passive, but they’ll argue a 1-0 lead going back to Bramall Lane would represent a very good night’s work.
09:28 PM BST
67 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Triple change for Sheffield United Callum O’Hare, Andre Brooks and Tom Davies replace Sydie Peck, Tyrese Campbell and the excellent Rhian Brewster.
09:27 PM BST
66 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
City are scrapping to stay in the tie. They’ve done well defensively since going down to 10 men but haven’t managed a shot at goal, on or off target.
09:25 PM BST
64 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Peck is booked for a foul on Jason Knight in midfield.
09:23 PM BST
61 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Peck goes even closer, driving just wide from 15 yards after a lovely backflick from Brewster.
Brewster has been outstanding tonight.
09:21 PM BST
59 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Sydie Peck, such an effervescent presence in the Sheff Utd midfield, controls a pass neatly on the turn and blasts a first-time shot from 25 yards. It fades a few yards wide of the far post.
09:17 PM BST
54 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
It’s been a quiet start to the second half. Sheffield United are happy to take their time and probe for openings; you could argue, as Don Goodman has just done on Sky, that they are almost being too patient given the advantage they have.
09:15 PM BST
52 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Bristol City are still trying to absorb that brutal double blow on the stroke of half-time. If you gave them a draw now they’d surely take it, even if it would leave them an uphill task at Bramall Lane.
09:10 PM BST
48 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Hamer smashes over from distance after some sustained Sheffield United players. It could be a long second half for the nine outfield players of Bristol City.
09:08 PM BST
46 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Bristol City have made a double substitution at half time. Haydon Roberts and Sinclair Armstrong are on for Nakhi Wells and Yu Hirakawa.
08:53 PM BST
HT: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
The half-time whistles brings angry boos from the home fans. It was a really tough decision for the referee Ollie Langford - Moore was through on goal and, though Dickie eventually won the ball with what looked a good tackle, he did put his arms round Moore before that. You can certainly see why the referee gave the decision.
08:51 PM BST
45+5 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1
Bizarrely, Dickie was also sent off at home to Sheffield United during the regular season.
08:49 PM BST
Goal!
45+3 min: Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 1 (Burrows pen) Harrison Burrows arrows a fine penalty into the bottom corner. Bristol City’s playoff hopes have gone up in smoke.
08:48 PM BST
Penalty to Sheff Utd and a red card for Dickie!
45+2 min The frustration is off the scale now. Rob Dickie has been sent off for pulling back Kieffer Moore in the area. He got the ball with a tackle from the side - but the referee’s argument is that he wrapped his arms round Moore before that, at which point he wasn’t trying to play the ball. Fair to say Bristol City don’t agree. The whole tie has probably been settled in that moment.
08:46 PM BST
45+1 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
The home players and fans are starting to get frustrated. Sheffield United’s defence and midfield have managed the game really well so far.
08:44 PM BST
43 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
There have been a few injury stoppages in the first half, which will apparently mean five minutes of added time.
08:40 PM BST
40 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Bristol City substitution George Earthy replaces Williams, who waves for the crowd to make more noise as he trudges off the field.
Earthy, on loan from West Ham, will play as one of the Nos10s with Max Bird dropping back into midfield.
08:39 PM BST
39 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Bad news for Bristol City. Joe Williams, who needed treatment to his ankle a few minutes ago, is down again and won’t be able to continue. The poor guy looks devastated.
08:38 PM BST
38 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
The disallowed goal aside, Chris Wilder will surely be happy with Sheffield United’s first-half performance. They’ve been able to keep Bristol City at arm’s length and have created the clearer chances. Joe Williams did hit the bar for City but that was a screamer from distance.
08:34 PM BST
34 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Another chance for Sheff Utd! A good break leads to a presentable chance for Moore, who slides Brewster’s low cross straight at O’Leary. He might have had time to take a touch there.
08:31 PM BST
30 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Good chance for Sheff Utd Brewster, on the halfway line, sweeps a fabulous early pass behind Vyner to put Campbell through on goal. His slightly tame shot is saved by the sprawling O’Leary, who reacts well to kick the loose ball away from Campbell.
Peck’s deflected shot is then tipped over by O’Leary. The resulting corner leads to an awkward volleyed chance for Hamer, who slashes it into the six-yard box. It’s going wide but a City defender boots the ball away.
08:29 PM BST
28 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Precious are these nights in Bristol. Feels like a lifetime to fans since a Dean Windass volley at Wembley blasted down Gary Johnson’s promotion dream. Now it is Liam Manning who brings the club closest to the seemingly impossible dream of Premier League football for the biggest team never to play in it. A thunderous Joe Williams strike cluttered the bar after some tricky work by Anis Mehmeti on the left has been the best of it so far for City. Chris Wilder, meanwhile, was absolutely fuming about the offside for United’s goal.
08:28 PM BST
26 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
City continue to dominate the ball without really getting behind the United defence. For now the desire to not concede the first goal is trumping the desire to score it.
08:23 PM BST
22 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Bristol City have had 73 per cent of the possession so far, and that includes the first five minutes in which they had very little of the ball.
08:19 PM BST
18 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
City took a while to get going but they’re starting to play some neat, confident football. It’s a good contest.
08:16 PM BST
15 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Williams hits the bar! A ferocious effort from Joe Williams, who wallops a scorching effort against the crossbar from 25 yards. The United keeper Michael Cooper barely moved.
08:12 PM BST
Disallowed goal!
11 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0 Tyrese Campbell thinks he’s put Sheffield United in front, heading in from close range after a long throw from Robinson, but then the flag goes up against his teammate Sydie Peck. He didn’t touch the ball but was in an offside position and stopped Knight potentially clearing the ball off the line.
Chris Wilder isn’t happy on the touchline. It was a complicated decision but probably the correct one.
08:10 PM BST
10 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Biggest match in Bristol in 17 years and it feels like it. The Section 82 fan group invited fans to a pre-match boisterous warm up in the park adjoining Ashton Gate and they are pumped. As far as the actual action is concerned so far, it’s pretty cagey.
08:07 PM BST
7 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Ross McCrorie, the City left wing-back who scored twice against Preston, has a bloody nose after a clash of heads with Kieffer Moore. He’s receiving treatment on the field so there will be a short break in play.
08:05 PM BST
5 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Sheffield United have started well and are dominating possession. Another Hamer corner is headed back across goal by Moore and headed clear by a City defender.
08:03 PM BST
2 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
Hamer tricks his way down the left to win the first corner of the game for Sheff Utd. He takes it himself and it’s headed away at the far post.
08:00 PM BST
1 min: Bristol City 0 Sheff Utd 0
With a quick blast of the whistle, the Championship playoffs of 2024-25 are under way.
07:50 PM BST
A reminder of the two teams
Bristol City (3-4-2-1) O’Leary, Tanner, Dickie, Vyner, Hirakawa, Knight, Williams, McCrorie, Bird, Mehmeti, Wells.
Subs: Bajic, Pring, Twine, Bell, Roberts, Cornick, McGuane, Armstrong, Earthy.
Sheff Utd (4-4-2) Cooper; Choudhury, Robinson, Ahmedhodzic, Burrows; Brewster, Peck, Vini Souza, Hamer; Campbell, Moore.
Subs: Adam Davies, Gilchrist, McCallum, Holding, O’Hare, Shackleton, Tom Davies, Cannon, Brooks.
Referee Oliver Langford (W Midlands)
07:45 PM BST
The Championship playoff schedule
Tonight
Bristol City v Sheffield United
Friday 9 May
Coventry v Sunderland
Monday 12 May
Sheffield United v Bristol City
Tuesday 13 May
Sunderland v Coventry
Saturday 24 May
Playoff final
07:44 PM BST
Seventeen years in the making
07:09 PM BST
Sheffield United team news
Chris Wilder, who had the luxury of resting a number of players against Blackburn on Saturday, makes seven changes to the Sheffield United side. Rhian Brewster, Tyrese Campbell, Kieffer Moore, Harrison Burrows, Hamza Choudhury, Michael Cooper and Jack Robinson all come into the team.
07:06 PM BST
Bristol City team news
Liam Manning makes one change to the side that drew with Preston on Saturday. Albanian international Anis Mehmeti is preferred to Scott Twine as one of City’s two No10s.
06:47 PM BST
Good evening
Hello and welcome to live, minute-by-minute coverage of the Championship playoff semi-final first leg between Bristol City and Sheffield United at Ashton Gate. There were 22 points between these teams during the regular season, but that counts for nothing now. City and United start as equals in a two-legged battle to decide who will face Sunderland or Coventry in the final at Wembley.
Sheffield United have plenty of playoff experience, albeit largely miserable: they haven’t been promoted via the playoffs in nine attempts. But their manager Chris Wilder is only interested in the future.
“There’s negativity in football right the way through isn’t there?” he said. “Whatever club you’re at, so everybody has to deal with that. But there’s no negativity in this group. I’ve been consistent in how the players have been energised after the Burnley game and determined to win a play-off campaign. But we understand we’re going to have to play very well to win a football game at Ashton Gate in front of a very passionate and vociferous home crowd.”
A home crowd that has waited 17 years for a night like this. City’s last playoff appearance was in 2008, when they beat Crystal Palace in a dramatic semi-final before losing 1-0 to Phil Brown’s Hull at Wembley. They haven’t been in the top flight of English football since 1979-80.
“We know we’re the underdogs and we’re all right with that,” said the City manager Liam Manning. “We know the level of opposition we’re up against. When you look at the pressure and expectation of the other teams that we’re competing against, naturally there’s a different level of expectation.
“But there’s a terrific opportunity to go and do what we’ve done all year. Create a little bit of upset and surprise a few people. Let’s not be fearful of anything. Let’s go and have a right go and leave it all out there.
Kick off 8pm.