Sheffield United's players celebrate Gus Hamer's opener Rex Features

Gus Hamer's goal against Coventry City followed his two assists in the 2-2 draw at the CBS Arena against the Sky Blues in November

Ged Scott
BBC Sport England

Sheffield United produced one of their best displays of the season as they outplayed Frank Lampard's Coventry City at Bramall Lane to return to the top of the Championship table.

Former Sky Blues midfielder Gus Hamer put the Blades ahead with an excellent free-kick before top scorer Tyrese Campbell made it 2-0 before the break with his 11th goal of the season.

Back-to-form Rhian Brewster then followed up his Steel City derby winner prior to the international break by scoring the hosts' third in the second half - the former Liverpool youngster's first goal at Bramall Lane since January 2022.

A dismal evening for the Sky Blues at least had a silver lining when substitute Jack Rudoni scrambled in a consolation goal from close range.

The Blades go three points clear of Leeds United, who will be back on top if they win at home to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, and five ahead of third-placed Burnley.

Fifth-placed Coventry are at risk of being displaced in the top six - but only if both West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City win, at Norwich and Burnley respectively.

City's second defeat in three games came at the further cost of losing Swedish goalkeeper Oliver Dovin, who was stretchered off late in the first half to be replaced by Brad Collins with what looked a potentially serious knee injury.

It was a pretty paltry first 19 minutes before Hamer fired the Blades ahead with a beautifully struck free-kick.

Coventry defender Bobby Thomas tried to remove the shirt from Hamer's back as the Brazil-born Dutchman powered forward - and got a booking for his trouble.

But there was further serious punishment when Hamer, who had set up both Blades goals in their 2-2 draw with then managerless City in November, delivered an excellent curling right-foot free-kick from 25 yards.

Dovin did get a hand to it - but it was not a strong enough contact to palm the strike away as the ball found the top right corner.

There was worse to follow for the big away following, however, when United doubled their lead on the half hour.

Femi Seriki squared a pinpoint right-foot pass from just outside the box to pick out Campbell, who stuck out his left foot to instinctively find the bottom left corner. And Campbell was so close to making it 3-0 only to drag wide his low left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

Rhian Brewster (centre) celebrates his second goal in as many matchesRex Features

Rhian Brewster (centre) scored his second goal in as many matches

Instead, the hosts had to wait until the second half to add their third.

Ben Brereton Diaz teed up Brewster just inside the box - and he delivered a confident right-footed finish into the bottom left corner.

City looked all at sea - and set for their joint-heaviest league defeat of the season.

They have already twice been beaten by three goals since Lampard took charge, having also lost 4-1 at Portsmouth and in the FA Cup at home to Ipswich Town. But they were at least spared that fate by a spirted late surge.

Ben Sheaf's thumping shot was blocked by Hamza Choudhury, before fellow City substitute Ellis Simms headed inches wide.

But then, with home keeper Michael Cooper flapping, Luis Banks got up highest to connect with a late right-wing corner - and Rudoni somehow angled his foot high enough to steer in from close range, his third goal in as many games to take him to six for the season.

Who's next?

Coventry's next game is at home to Burnley on Saturday, 5 April (12:30 BST), before the Blades visit Chris Wilder's old club Oxford United later that day (15:00 BST).

Manager reaction

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"We were right at it. We had to be at our best because of the quality of the opposition.

"A lot of my team enjoyed the occasion and played with a real style and swagger. I believe in this group.

"We showed that we had the quality to go and hurt teams – and we've left a lot of good players on the bench.

"Tyrese Campbell has been a smart signing for us – and I was really pleased Rhian Brewster got another goal. It's vital for us."

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard told BBC CWR:

"Sometimes you have to give credit to a very good team. They were more clinical than we were.

"Everyone at our club understands what Gus Hamer can do. That's why they bought him. There's not much you can do with a strike like that, other than not give away the free-kick in the first place.

"We lost Liam Kitching with an illness before the game and we've lost Oli Dovin. It could be bad. I'm not a doctor - but it didn't look great.

"After where we've come from, it's important now that we get the momentum back and that everyone is positive and moves on quickly to the next game. Burnley will be a different challenge."

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