Sheffield United 1-0 Carlisle
Nigel Clough’s team won their seventh League One match, and tenth in all competitions, in a row to climb into the top half of League One.
Former Everton trainee Jose Baxter slotted just his second goal in his last 15 appearances to give the Blades another three points.
Carlisle are now winless in four, and just a point above the relegation zone.
Clough’s team started quickly taking less than 30 seconds to register their first shot on target, Jordan Pickford producing a smart save after Jamie Murphy had beaten his defender.
Stefan Scougall should have put the home side in the lead after he latched onto Conor Coady’s clever pass. But the Scottish midfielder couldn’t keep his composure in front of the onrushing Pickford, who made a good save.
Supporters at Bramall Lane didn’t have long to wait for a goal, however, as Baxter finally put them in the lead in the 28th minute.
Inside the box, Baxter neatly sidestepped Reece Brown before slotting a cool right-foot finish beyond the goalkeeper.
Carlisle had a chance to equalise before half-time, but Mark Howard, whose clean sheet means he has now not conceded for 697 minutes, was equal to a Brad Potts half-volley.
In the second half the Blades poured forward looking for the second goal that would settle the match, but it never came.
Carlisle sensed that a point could be theirs in the dying moments and substitute David Symington’s ambitious effort deflected agonisingly wide.
From the resulting corner David Amoo didn’t make enough conact and his header was easily cleared off the line.
—Daily Mail
