Five-star Blades go second

Sheffield United overtook rivals Wednesday in the race for automatic promotion from League One as they brushed aside Rochdale 5-2 at Spotland.

In a thrilling opening five minutes, Ched Evans was close to opening his account from the game's first attack when he struck a post after a clever short corner routine. But the Blades were dealt a surprise when Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro skipped away from Matthew Hill and crossed for Jason Kennedy to head the hosts in front just three minutes in. Kevin McDonald quickly levelled the contest with a cushioned volley from the edge of the area and the Blades pulled clear with two goals in the space of three minutes midway through the first half. Evans fired them ahead with a 20-yard effort before Lee Williamson tapped into an empty net after Dave Lucas had parried another Evans strike. Evans doubled his personal tally with another clinical finish before the interval and skipper Michael Doyle claimed the fifth with a long-range shot in the 52nd minute. Temitope Obadeyi reduced the arrears with a neat finish in the 68th minute but by that stage the contest was long since over.