Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Swindon Town 0.
Sheff UtdSheffield United2SwindonSwindon Town0
Substitute Jamie Murphy's second-half double moved Sheffield United into the play-off places and toppled Swindon from top spot in League One.
Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes because of congestion outside at Bramall Lane and the game proved to be a fierce affair with nine yellow cards.
Murphy, who signed a contract extension with the Blades before the match, swept home the opener from inside the area.
And he made it 2-0 when he chipped over goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
Murphy broke down field and netted his second after Swindon had a penalty shout waved away following a trip on defender Jordan Turnbull.
Mark Cooper's side, playing for the first time in two weeks, were replaced at the top of the standings by MK Dons, while Sheffield United moved up to sixth.
Swindon had their chances to get on the score sheet, but Jon Obika saw his shot palmed away by keeper Iain Turner and John Swift then fired over the bar, while Louis Thompson blazed over from 30 yards.
Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"They were a little bit rusty at times, one or two of them haven't played an awful lot.
"But they got through the game and we just about deserved it.
"Both different goals, but the desire of Jamie to run ,and really sprint, to get in the box on both of them."
Swindon Town manager Mark Cooper told BBC Wiltshire:
"You can't have that many chances and create that much opportunities and not score, and then expect to win the game.
"We just need to be calm and roll the ball into the goal.
"Frustrating I think is the word. On another day we could be three or four up at half-time.
"Full credit to Sheffield United, they've done a job on us."
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-4-2
- 24Turner
- 5Brayford
- 6Basham
- 27KennedyBooked at 8mins
- 26Freeman
- 16Davies
- 22Reed
- 33WallaceSubstituted forScougallat 60'minutes
- 18CouttsSubstituted forBaxterat 79'minutesBooked at 80mins
- 21HigdonBooked at 20minsSubstituted forMurphyat 43'minutes
- 29Adams
Substitutes
- 2Alcock
- 8Doyle
- 9Murphy
- 10Scougall
- 11Baxter
- 12McNulty
- 25Long
Swindon
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Foderingham
- 29Rossi BrancoBooked at 29mins
- 2ThompsonBooked at 68mins
- 6TurnbullBooked at 12mins
- 3ByrneBooked at 81mins
- 14SwiftBooked at 31mins
- 19Thompson
- 5Stephens
- 15ToffoloBooked at 64mins
- 10WilliamsSubstituted forHyltonat 82'minutes
- 20ObikaSubstituted forSmithat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Smith
- 23Barthram
- 24Hylton
- 25Belford
- 26Rodgers
- 32Marshall
- Referee:
- David Coote
- Attendance:
- 19,490
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamSwindon
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away19
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Swindon Town 0.
Goal!
Goal! Sheffield United 2, Swindon Town 0. Jamie Murphy (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Terry Kennedy.
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Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Jermaine Hylton (Swindon Town).
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Corner, Swindon Town. Conceded by Kieron Freeman.
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Attempt blocked. Stefan Scougall (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Attempt missed. Louis Thompson (Swindon Town) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Swindon Town. Jermaine Hylton replaces Andy Williams.
Booking
Nathan Byrne (Swindon Town) is shown the yellow card.
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Stefan Scougall (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Nathan Byrne (Swindon Town).
Booking
Jose Baxter (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
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Foul by Jose Baxter (Sheffield United).
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Louis Thompson (Swindon Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Jose Baxter replaces Paul Coutts.
Goal!
Goal! Sheffield United 1, Swindon Town 0. Jamie Murphy (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Louis Reed with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Terry Kennedy (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
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Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Nathan Thompson.
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Terry Kennedy (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
