Sheffield United maintain promotion push with victory over struggling Barnsley

Promotion-chasing Sheffield United recorded a 2-0 victory at home to relegation-threatened Barnsley thanks to second-half goals from Sander Berge and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Midfielder Berge grabbed his third goal in four games and Gibbs-White capped what was an impressive display from the Blades in the second period.

Following their midweek draw at Blackpool, Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom made one change to the United line-up, with Conor Hourihane replacing Iliman Ndiaye.

Barnsley, meanwhile, stuck with the same line-up that defeated Bristol City 2-0 on Tuesday.

Domingos Quina played a well-timed early through ball in to Barnsley colleague Carlton Morris, but Wes Foderingham did well to come and claim it.

And Foderingham was on hand again to save after Michal Helik headed down a cross to Matty Wolfe in the centre of the box.

Defender Jack Robinson almost opened the scoring for United when he unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box which narrowly missed to the right.

A free-kick delivery by Oliver Norwood from the left then found Gibbs-White, who headed the ball on target but did not have enough conviction to trouble Brad Collins.

Wolfe had a shot from a difficult angle at the left-hand side of the box which went high and wide to the left, before Ben Osborn fired wide at the other end.

Quina’s half-volley from long range took a huge deflection which resulted in a Barnsley corner, and the visitors were punished for their wasted chances when Berge broke the deadlock in the 54th minute.

Hourihane whipped in a low cross from the left which found Berge at the back post and he slotted the ball home.

Billy Sharp picked up an injury midway through the second half which resulted in Daniel Jebbison replacing him,