Match ends, Sheffield United 3, Rochdale 2.
Sheff UtdSheffield United3RochdaleRochdale2
Che Adams scored twice as Sheffield United claimed a closely-fought victory over Rochdale at Bramall Lane.
Adams' fine run gave the home side the lead, before Matt Done conceded a penalty that Dale forward Peter Vincenti hammered home.
The Blades went back in front before the break as Adams slotted in Billy Sharp's excellent cross.
Lewis Alessandra brought the scores level but a curling corner from Neill Collins secured United three points.
Adams came close to a hat-trick in the final minute of the game as he charged through the midfield, but his powerful shot was well saved by Josh Lillis.
Rochdale boss Keith Hill told BBC Radio Manchester:
"They're a big football club playing in League One football and you need everything to go right for you, to win and get something from these places and unfortunately we made too many mistakes.
"If you look at the attacking portfolio of players that they've got, they're difficult to contain.
"I thought we did that very well in the first half up until the goals. For us to be 2-1 down at half time is very disappointing."
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Howard
- 2Freeman
- 6Basham
- 15Collins
- 19McEveleySubstituted forWallaceat 45'minutes
- 29Adams
- 8CouttsSubstituted forReedat 73'minutes
- 16ScougallSubstituted forMcGaheyat 45'minutes
- 14Done
- 11Baxter
- 10Sharp
Substitutes
- 17Woolford
- 18Sammon
- 20Campbell-Ryce
- 22Reed
- 25Long
- 30Wallace
- 32McGahey
Rochdale
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Lillis
- 27CannonBooked at 21minsSubstituted forAllenat 37'minutes
- 4McNulty
- 6Lancashire
- 33KennedySubstituted forTanserat 69'minutes
- 2Rafferty
- 8Lund
- 12McDermottSubstituted forNoble-Lazarusat 52'minutes
- 10Alessandra
- 19Mendez-Laing
- 7Vincenti
Substitutes
- 5Eastham
- 11Noble-Lazarus
- 17Tanser
- 20Barry-Murphy
- 21Musangu
- 24Allen
- 39Bunney
- Referee:
- Oliver Langford
- Attendance:
- 19,039
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamRochdale
- Possession
- Home45%
- Away55%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away6
- Corners
- Home5
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 3, Rochdale 2.
Post update
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Josh Lillis.
Post update
Attempt saved. Che Adams (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Scott Tanser.
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Attempt missed. Matthew Lund (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
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Foul by Louis Reed (Sheffield United).
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Matthew Lund (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Reuben Noble-Lazarus (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Goal!
Goal! Sheffield United 3, Rochdale 2. Neill Collins (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Jose Baxter with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jimmy McNulty.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Louis Reed replaces Paul Coutts.
Goal!
Goal! Sheffield United 2, Rochdale 2. Lewis Alessandra (Rochdale) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Matthew Lund (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Kieron Freeman (Sheffield United).
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Lewis Alessandra (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Rochdale. Scott Tanser replaces Tom Kennedy.
Post update
Attempt missed. Peter Vincenti (Rochdale) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Che Adams (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Joseph Rafferty (Rochdale).
