Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Leeds United 1.
Sheff UtdSheffield United2LeedsLeeds United1
Billy Sharp's double earned Sheffield United a Yorkshire derby victory and spoiled Paul Heckingbottom's first game as Leeds United manager.
Heckingbottom, who replaced the sacked Thomas Christiansen last week, saw his side trail to Sharp's stunning second-minute volley from Mark Duffy's cross.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga's powerful header levelled the scores after the break.
But Sharp netted from the penalty spot to earn victory and ensure that Leeds' winless run stretched to eight games.
The win means the Blades move up to seventh in the Championship table, two points behind Bristol City and Fulham before the 15:00 GMT games, while Leeds are seven points adrift of the final play-off spot.
Sharp's brilliant opener was a fitting way to celebrate scoring the 200th league goal of his career and he could have made it 2-0 soon after but sent a close-range header over, while Duffy went close with a curling strike
But Leeds, who wore black armbands as a tribute to former player Liam Miller who died on Friday aged 36, also had chances.
Lasogga's fierce 25-yard strike went just wide, and a Pontus Jansson diving header was brilliantly saved by Jamal Blackman.
Substitute Pablo Hernandez's cross was powerfully headed in by Lasogga to level and bring the Whites hope of ending their six-match winless Championship run.
But it was 32-year-old Sharp who proved the matchwinner after John Fleck was tripped by Eunan O'Kane - scoring his 10th goal of the season and seventh in his past eight appearances against Leeds.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder:
"We needed it. I'm sick of banging on about how well we're playing and not getting results.
"People are looking at me as if I'm a bit of a nutter, going on about it. We're at the business end of the season and we need to pick wins up.
"The effect of having a new manager would have given their players a boost. It was never going to be easy and the game ebbed and flowed."
Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom:
"Getting beaten is not nice and I know when I look back at the first goal that there will be things I don't want to see.
"Sheffield United are, in my opinion, the best in the league at building momentum. They were keeping possession, playing forward and putting us under pressure.
"We had to change that and play forward more. We played on the front foot in the second half and we had more energy.
"There was a bit of apprehension - I could sense it - and I thought that lifted in the second half."
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 27Blackman
- 6Basham
- 19Stearman
- 5O'Connell
- 2Baldock
- 20EvansBooked at 44minsSubstituted forLundstramat 88'minutes
- 21DuffySubstituted forLeonardat 77'minutes
- 4FleckBooked at 90mins
- 3Stevens
- 9Clarke
- 10SharpBooked at 14minsSubstituted forHolmesat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Lundstram
- 11Donaldson
- 12Wilson
- 14Leonard
- 24Lafferty
- 26Holmes
- 31Eastwood
Leeds
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Wiedwald
- 15Dallas
- 18Jansson
- 5Pennington
- 12De Bock
- 4ForshawBooked at 5mins
- 14O'Kane
- 23PhillipsSubstituted forEkubanat 78'minutes
- 10AlioskiSubstituted forSackoat 75'minutes
- 9Lasogga
- 7RoofeBooked at 19minsSubstituted forHernándezat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lonergan
- 8Anita
- 19Hernández
- 22Cibicki
- 24Sacko
- 25Vieira
- 45Ekuban
- Referee:
- Andy Madley
- Attendance:
- 27,553
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamLeeds
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home8
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Leeds United 1.
Post update
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Ryan Leonard.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Laurens De Bock (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Caleb Ekuban (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hadi Sacko with a headed pass.
Booking
John Fleck (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Adam Forshaw (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by John Fleck (Sheffield United).
Post update
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Matthew Pennington.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Ricky Holmes replaces Billy Sharp.
Post update
Attempt missed. Pierre-Michel Lasogga (Leeds United) with an attempt from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Adam Forshaw.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. John Lundstram replaces Lee Evans.
Post update
Matthew Pennington (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Leon Clarke (Sheffield United).
Post update
Attempt missed. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
Post update
Caleb Ekuban (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Lee Evans (Sheffield United).
Post update
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Matthew Pennington.
Post update
Foul by Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United).
Post update
Ryan Leonard (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Comments
Join the conversation
RIP Liam Miller
Totally wrong with one comment, Cheap Owner
This guy bought the stadium back !! Remember
The problem is ORTA who has been given the proceeds from the sale
of Taylor & Woods and totally wasted it on a load of
second rate foreign imports
No wonder he left M'boro he bought a similar crew there. ORTA
deserves the sack & the sooner the better. Good Riddance
Only if you have the attention span of a goldfish.
You'll find Leeds fans are far more welcoming, patient and tolerant than many glory chasing fans with no stickability.