Championship roundup: Sheffield United go top with victory at Hull

Sheffield United moved top of the Championship with a 2-0 victory at Hull.

Oli McBurnie had gone 43 games without scoring until he struck at Luton last month, but his third goal in as many matches put the visitors in control after 20 minutes. Sander Berge then added a second with 15 minutes remaining after he pounced upon loose marking inside the right channel of the penalty area.

United are now unbeaten in the league since the opening day of the season and were, despite a few scares along the way, good value for three points.

Hull made numerous eye-catching signings during the transfer window, with optimism high among supporters that they now have a squad capable of challenging for the playoffs. But, ultimately, they paid the price for a sluggish start in front of a big crowd at the MKM Stadium.

Meanwhile the Reading manager, Paul Ince, hailed his side as “incredible in every department” during the second half of their 2-1 Championship victory over Stoke.

Lucas Joao, on his 29th birthday, gave the hosts a second-minute lead when he took advantage of sloppy defensive play from the visitors.

Stoke equalised five minutes before the break through a close-range Ben Wilmot effort but Reading regained their advantage through Joao’s 57th-minute penalty and held on comfortably for their fourth successive home league win this season.

“It’s just good to get a good performance,” Ince said. “As I’ve said to the players, it’s not about winning, it’s about performing. We performed today. That’s all you can ask for.

“You know with these players what they’re like, the spirit and the togetherness. And when we came out for the second half, they were incredible in every department. That’s so pleasing.”

Reading are third while Stoke, who