Sheffield United go top of Championship with draw despite Ahmedhodzic red

Sheffield United went top of the Championship following their 2-2 draw away to Coventry City despite twice surrendering the lead.

Chris Wilder’s side are one point ahead of second-placed Sunderland ahead of Saturday’s other matches although, after Tyrese Campbell put them one up after 13 minutes, they would have been hoping for a bigger lead.

Coventry forward Norman Bassette equalised nine minutes later, but Jesurun Rak-Sakyi had the visitors back in front on 34 minutes, having been set up by former Coventry man Gustavo Hamer.

Then came the game-defining incident, with Anel Ahmedhodzic sent off in the 44th minute after grabbing Bassette by his neck and throwing him to the ground. Tempers flared into half-time, but it was the home side who piled on the pressure in the second half.

The managerless Sky Blues got their reward 10 minutes from time through Bobby Thomas, meaning that they have now come back from losing positions to draw in back-to-back matches. They sit 16th in the table.

A hard-fought point. pic.twitter.com/6bLrLGUz8h

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 23, 2024

Elsewhere, Burnley went third after their second straight 1-0 victory as they beat Bristol City on the road. Jaidon Anthony scored the only goal of the game, although the home side created plenty of pressure and saw a penalty claim denied in the second half.

Scott Parker’s side, nevertheless, kept their fourth clean sheet in five to get themselves back in the hunt for the top two.

Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough that does neither side many favours in their aim to climb clear of the relegation scrap.

Both goals came within two first-half minutes, with Ollie Tanner getting the visitors ahead from a Callum Robinson rebound in the 34th minute. The lead didn’t last long though, with Di’Shon Bernard on hand to scramble home and restore parity almost straight away.

The result leaves Wednesday in 14th, four points above the bottom three, while Cardiff are 19th and just a point above third-bottom Luton Town.