Chris Basham reacts to crucial flashpoint in Sheffield United’s 3-1 win over Coventry City

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Sheffield United defeated Coventry City 3-1 at Bramall Lane to take a huge step towards automatic promotion ahead of the Saturday games for Leeds United and Burnley.

The Championship finally returned to action this Friday evening, with the marquee tie seeing Sheffield United and Coventry City face off under the lights and in front of the Sky and ITV cameras.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	39	26	7	6	54	28	26	83
2	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	39	17	8	14	55	49	6	59
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57

The two sides played out a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture at the CBS Arena in November, but the stakes were higher regarding the Championship title race but also the play-off picture ahead of the final eight games for play-off chasers.

Our combined Sheffield United and Coventry City XI represented the fact the quality on show was likely to be high for both teams and especially relevant to Frank Lampard and his recent record-breaking Coventry side.

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Chris Basham reacts to Tyrese Campbell goal against Coventry City

Frank Lampard spoke previously about Chris Wilder and the games in years gone by between them, while Wilder has enjoyed ‘tremendous’ previous fixtures against the England legend.

We ranked the 20 best players in the Championship recently, and many of them were on show. In a clash which they were looking at for a moment of inspiration to bring it to life, and both Gus Hamer and Callum O’Hare with a point to prove.

Hamer did just that with a special free-kick, but it was Campbell’s crucial goal that impressed ex-Blade Chris Basham was most impressed by. Wilder’s former defender spoke to ITV as part of the punditry team and outlined the work of the former Stoke City attacker.

Hugh Woozencroft asked: “Is this why Kieffer Moore — Premier League experience and international experience — is being kept on the bench right now?”

Basham said: “Yeah, we talked about him before the game. We said how good of an impact he’s made and how he’s scored big goals in big games.

“That’s another big goal. And the confidence in his celebration there shows it all. He’s a fox-in-the-box and he’s very confident at the moment.

“That’s why the manager speaks about him very highly. That’s why he’s wanted him for years. This is what he produces week in, week out.”

Some pundits predicted a slip up but Wilder’s men more than rose to the challenge against Lampard’s in-form side to claim victory thanks to Rhian Brewster’s strike to seal the points and snuff out any chance of a come back in the process.

• READ MORE: EFL Championship’s all-time top scorers as journeyman sneaks into top ten and Sheffield United legend tops the charts

Chris Wilder has helped Campbell to career-best goal numbers

Campbell drew comparisons from pundits to Jarrod Bowen earlier this season, but he has now scored more goals than in any other campaign in his career already, with Wilder breathing new life into his career.

He still has a way to go to beat his goal contributions in 2022/23, when Campbell scored nine and assisted six from 44 games for the Potters. But his confidence is evident and he is keeping Moore and Tom Cannon out of the side deservedly.

Cannon’s future at Sheffield United remains bright, but no one is displacing Campbell in his current form. The 25-year-old’s goals-per-90 ratio is also outstanding, with only Haji Wright and Callum Patterson bettering him on that front per — FBref.