Town went five points clear at the top of the Championship with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Loanee David Unsworth opened the scoring with a debut goal in the 20th minute and Shefki Kuqi settled the game in the second period.

Unsworth came in at left-back as expected, while Kevin Horlock was the unlucky midfielder to be left on the bench, skipper Jim Magilton returning to the starting line-up.

The Blades had the better of the opening exchanges, Danny Cadamarteri hitting the first shot of the game off Richard Naylor in the eighth minute with strike partner Andy Gray in space calling for a pass.

Gray had his chance a moment or two later but Kelvin Davis was equal to his volley. From the resultant corner Phil Jagielka headed over when he probably ought to have done better.

Town's first shot didn't come until the 14th minute and Shefki Kuqi sent it well over the bar.

Despite the home side having had more of the game, the Blues went ahead in the 20th minute. Shefki Kuqi held the ball up well before laying a pass wide to David Unsworth. The loanee cut in from the left flank and, with few options in the middle, lashed the ball into the roof of the net for an excellent, if unexpected, debut goal.

The Blues were better after the goal and Darren Currie came close to a second when he sent a loose ball over the bar from 25 yards. Soon after, the midfielder, whose uncle is a legend at Bramall Lane, seized on a mix-up in the Sheffield United defence but shot into the sidenetting from a tight angle.

On 41 David Unsworth came close to a second goal when he hit a 30-yard freekick just over the bar after Fabian Wilnis had been fouled.

Just before the break, United, whose post-Town goal chances had up to then been limited to a couple of blocked shots, came close to an equaliser. Michael Tonge sent over a freekick from the left to the far post where a completely unmarked Leigh Bromby headed wide when a goal looked a certainty.

Town deserved their lead at the break, the Blades having started strongly but the Blues having run the rest of the half.

United weren't far away from getting back in terms within a minute of the restart. Michael Tonge cut in from the right and hit a shot which was deflected, keeper Kelvin Davis doing very well not only to stop it but to push it into a safe area. The ball came back into the area and John Harley shot into the sidenet, referee Mr Richard Beeby inexplicably awarding a corner.

Davis was in action again in the 48th minute, diving to his left to brilliantly tip Michael Tonge's curler wide of the post. From the corner, Chris Morgan headed wide.

There was controversy in the 50th minute when Sheffield United played on with Fabian Wilnis lying injured in the Blades' penalty area. When the ball was finally played out, Shefki Kuqi expressed his displeasure to Danny Cadamarteri, the referee subsequently having words with the pair.

After treatment Wilnis continued, but while Dave Williams was patching up the Dutchman, Kevin Horlock replaced Darren Currie in the Town midfield.

The Blues were still largely on top, rarely allowing the home side a strike on goal. Michael Tonge did get a chance to take a strike on goal from a freekick in the 57th minute but smashed the ball into the wall.

Town increased their lead in the 58th minute. Jason De Vos deflected a Jim Magilton corner into the path of Ian Westlake on the edge of the box. The midfielder struck a shot which De Vos diverted into the path of Shefki Kuqi, who stabbed home from eight yards out, looking suspiciously offside.

The former Sheffield Wednesday man had been booed throughout by the home fans and celebrated his goal by cupping his hands to his ears in front of the Kop.

On 65, Andy Gray picked up a yellow card for what appeared to be dissent while Shefki Kuqi and Ian Westlake were receiving treatment for head wounds picked-up in separate incidents a few seconds apart.

United showed few signs of getting back on terms but Morgan did force Davis into a save in the 75th minute.

With two minutes remaining, Joe Royle replaced Darren Bent with Dean Bowditch, the England U21 having required treatment for a leg injury earlier on.

The number of second half Town injuries saw referee Richard Beeby add six minutes during which Andy Gray headed over, Alan Quinn had a shot saved comfortably by Davis and Morgan saw a header bounce off the top of the Town cross bar.

At the final whistle the Blues received a standing ovation from their fans, Shefki Kuqi celebrating a victory over his former local rivals with a trademark swan-dive in front of the Blue Army.

Very much a deserved victory which rarely looked in any doubt after David Unsworth opened the scoring. Town were solid at the back, allowing the Blades few opportunities, while at the other end the few chances created were taken.

Wigan's home loss to Stoke, coupled with Sunderland's draw with Wolves last night, made it an even better afternoon for Town supporters, the Blues now five points ahead of the Latics and Black Cats going into a home game against Leicester next Saturday.

Town: Davis, Wilnis, Unsworth, De Vos, Naylor, Magilton, Miller, Westlake, Currie (Horlock 51), Bent (Bowditch 88), Kuqi. Not used: Richards, Karbassiyoon, Price. Att: 20,680.

Photo: Action Images

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