Nigerian international, Kelechi Iheanacho, made his debut as Sheffield United secured a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane, keeping the pressure on Sky Bet Championship leaders Leeds United.
Middlesbrough’s Delano Burgzorg leveled the score with a controversial first-half penalty after Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s opener.
However, second-half strikes from substitute Ben Brereton Diaz and Anel Ahmedhodzic sealed the win for the Blades, who are now just two points behind Leeds.
With home wins for fellow promotion hopefuls Burnley and Sunderland, Chris Wilder’s men remain three points ahead of third-placed Burnley in the race for automatic promotion.
Sheffield United began brightly, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi testing Boro goalkeeper Mark Travers just six minutes in. The Blades soon piled on the pressure in search of an early breakthrough.
Rak-Sakyi finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute after Gustavo Hamer’s impressive build-up play.
Hamer drove into Boro’s half and slipped Callum O’Hare through on goal. Although Travers and Ryan Giles initially blocked O’Hare’s effort, the ball rebounded to Rak-Sakyi, who calmly slotted home from eight yards.
Travers was called into action once more, denying Rak-Sakyi’s low shot, while Boro newcomer Kelechi Iheanacho blazed their first attempt at goal over the bar in the 30th minute.
Boro goalkeeper Michael Cooper was called into action when he stopped Hayden Hackney’s low drive. The visitors then equalized in dramatic fashion just before halftime.
Blades skipper Jack Robinson and Boro’s George Edmundson tussled in the box before a corner kick, prompting referee Matthew Donohue to award a contentious penalty.
Both players were booked for their involvement in the scuffle, and Cooper also received a yellow card amid loud protests from the home crowd.
Replays suggested both Robinson and Edmundson were pulling each other’s shirts, but the referee’s decision stood. Burgzorg silenced the jeers from the Kop end by confidently converting the penalty.
The Blades thought they should have been awarded a penalty early in the second half when Callum O’Hare went down under Luke Ayling’s challenge, but Donohue waved play on.
Sheffield United eventually regained the lead in the 75th minute through Ben Brereton Diaz.
Sydie Peck’s pinpoint pass sliced through the Boro defense, allowing Brereton Diaz to race clear and lift a sublime finish over Travers.
Middlesbrough threatened an equalizer again when Burgzorg’s powerful shot was tipped over by Cooper. Moments later, Blades substitute Tyrese Campbell had a golden opportunity to settle the game but fired straight at Travers.
Ahmedhodzic put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute, heading home from Harrison Burrows’ corner to secure a vital three points for Sheffield United.
