![\"Andre](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_Bristol-City-v-Sheffield-United-EFL-Sky-Bet-Championship-Play-Off-Semi-Final-First-Leg-Football.jp.webp\")
Andre Brooks celebrates his goal for Sheffield United at Bristol City(Image: James Marsh\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\nBRISTOL CITY 0-3 SHEFFIELD UNITED: Rob Dickie’s red card cost the Robins dear as Harrison Burrows converted from the spot and the Blades scored twice more after the breakAndre Brooks celebrates his goal for Sheffield United at Bristol City(Image: James Marsh\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
After puffs of white smoke above the Vatican, Rob Dickie\u2019s cardinal sin cost Bristol City<\/a> dearly.<\/p>\n Dickie\u2019s second red card of the season against Sheffield United,<\/a> for hauling down Wales striker Kieffer Moore in first half added time, handed the Blades the keys to Wembley.<\/p>\n From the moment Harrison Burrows buried the resulting spot-kick, United seized their chance to enjoy the comfort zone, a rare luxury on the tightrope torture of football\u2019s \u00a3200 million lottery.<\/p>\n Play-off semi-finals can often be as cagey as Whipsnade Zoo, but there were few inhibitions about the Blades\u2019 convincing display in this prizefight at Ashton Gate.<\/p>\n Only the third team to reach 90 points in the Championship without going up automatically, Chris Wilder\u2019s men were never going to come quietly.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Championship play-off prize money as four teams fight for Premier League pay day<\/a>READ MORE: EFL play-off winners decided with big-money promotion hopes on the line<\/a><\/p>\n They were purposeful, assertive and now Bramall Lane will be a rocking fortress in Monday night\u2019s return leg.<\/p>\n But Wilder will be first to admit they owed their place on Easy Street to Dickie\u2019s misadventure, a challenge which belonged to all-in wrestling.<\/p>\n Across the road in Greville Smith Park, the air was thick with pyrotechnic toys – more flares than the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever.<\/p>\n But the partying fans were getting their playtime in early because both clubs\u2019 record in the play-offs reads like a threatening letter.<\/p>\n City\u2019s six promotion attempts have led to six failures, most recently in the 2008 final against Hull, and now it looks like being an unmagnificent seven.<\/p>\n The Blades, on the other hand, took a giant step towards ending their 100 per cent record of disappointment: Nine dips in the tombola, nine heartbreaks.<\/p>\n On VE Day, Robins fans turned to Winston Churchill for inspiration on their pre-match banner: \u201cIt is victory, victory at all costs\u201d – but their team didn\u2019t get the message.<\/p>\n After 11 minutes Tyrese Campbell bundled home Jack Robinson\u2019s long throw, only to be denied by a very late and contentious flag.<\/p>\n And with City\u2019s nerves jangling like a nightclub lothario\u2019s bling, keeper Max O\u2019Leary thwarted Campbell with his legs from Rhian Brewster\u2019s low centre<\/p>\n The Blades\u2019 only escape was Robins midfielder Joe Williams – who hasn\u2019t scored since 2022 – shuddering the bar with a thunderous 25-yard hit before he was forced to retire hurt with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n Then came the turning point, and much as home fans howled at referee Oliver Langford\u2019s sanction, a straight red was his only option.<\/p>\n Burrows scored confidently from the spot, his sixth goal of the season, and City did not just have a mountain to climb: They were trying to scale Everest in flip-flops.<\/p>\n The Blades always looked likely to stretch their advantage, and 17 minutes from time sub Andre Brooks swept home Burrows\u2019 cross to give them broad daylight in the tie.<\/p>\n Six minutes later, fellow sub Callum O\u2019Hare turned home from close range to leave Wilder on Easy Street, and the second leg should be a formality.<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Sky Sports’ discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Rob](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_Bristol-City-v-Sheffield-United-Sky-Bet-Championship-Play-Off-Semi-Final-First-Leg.jpg\")
Rob Dickie’s red card cost Bristol City dear(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745298978_502_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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