Sky Sports commentator sympathises with Bristol City after ‘cruel’ play-off defeat to Sheffield United, it’s ‘tough to take’

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Sheffield United thumped Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate to make it to the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

With Sheffield United’s significant advantage over Bristol City from the first leg, it already looked like game over. Goals from Kieffer Moore and Gus Hamer either side of half-time ended the tie as a contest completely.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	46	29	13	4	95	30	65	100
2	BurnleyBurnley	46	28	16	2	69	16	53	100
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	46	28	8	10	63	36	27	90
4	SunderlandSunderland	46	21	13	12	58	44	14	76
5	CoventryCoventry	46	20	9	17	64	58	6	69
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68

Don Goodman believed ‘one foot’ was in the final of the play-offs, but with hindsight, it was arguably much more than that. Chris Wilder’s men coasted through much of the match at Bramall Lane and were even able to substitute key players off early before Callum O’Hare’s late flourish.

Bristol City had to break their own record if Liam Manning and co. were to progress through to Wembley but the Blades were looking for their own slice of play-off history with the Championship’s biggest ever margin of victory in the play-offs on aggregate.

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Andy Hinchcliffe’s Bristol City verdict after Sheffield United play-off thumping

Chris Wilder’s Ashton Gate reaction was partly down to the fact the job wasn’t finished, although Wilder claimed it was out of respect. In the end, his celebration needn’t have been so muted.

EFL expert Ali Maxwell backed Kieffer Moore to have an impact, with the giant Welshman opening the scoring to all but secure the Blades’ place at Wembley before half-time. Hamer’s deflected strike made the whole stadium even more relaxed.

The game may be the 48th Championship fixture of both of their seasons, but both Sheffield United and Bristol City learnt plenty about themselves on Monday night.

In spite of their exit, the Sky Sports commentary duo were full of praise for the visitors for even making it through this far. Andy Hinchcliffe said: “You can see the difference in emotions on the two sets of coaches there; really tough to take for Bristol City.

“I think we’ve seen why over the games why Sheffield United were 22 points ahead of Bristol City over the regular season.”

Daniel Mann: “Well, it’s the biggest gap between third and sixth at this level since this format of the play-offs was adopted in 1989. It was always going to be a challenge to bridge it. If anything, that gap has been emphasised.”

Hinchcliffe: “Yeah, Bristol City don’t deserve this. It’s cruel. This is what can happen when you’re up against a side that is driven, that is motivated.”

“As the Moore goal went in, clearly it’s not going to happen here. Once Hamer and that deflection happens,  absolutely no way back. It’s party time at Bramall Lane.

“The Bristol City fans still cheering their team on — that is brilliant to see. Let’s give them a lot of credit for making the play-offs. Out of their depth against Sheffield United, but they did well to get in there.

“They have a lot to be proud of this season. They finished above Blackburn, above Middlesbrough, and above West Brom.

“They’ve just come up against a very, very good side who were way ahead of them. But it’s the reaction to what happens here next season.

“What are they going to do? They’ve got to pick themselves up and go again. It’s what the Championship is all about.”

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Would Sheffield United prefer Sunderland or Coventry City in the play-off final?

Sheffield United put in one of their best performances of the regular season when they beat Frank Lampard’s Coventry City side 3-1 late into March. They also drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture, too.

Sunderland won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light but also lost 1-0 to the Blades at Bramall Lane. So, on those terms, Cov would be the preferred side to face at Wembley.

However, it comes down to more than just that. The way Sunderland set up against Coventry in the first leg is exactly how they will play in the final; setting up in transition to spring counter attacks.

Cov could be a far more open contest than that based on their games this season and recent performances as well. That is undoubtedly Sheffield United’s ideal opponent by any measure ahead of tomorrow’s fourth-vs-fifth semi-final.