Tom Bradshaw hits hat-trick as Millwall dent Sheffield United promotion hopes
Tom Bradshaw’s second hat-trick of the season gave Millwall a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sheffield United that lifted them back into the Championship play-off places.
The Blades stay second but are looking over their shoulders at Middlesbrough after losing out in an absorbing encounter at The Den. Paul Heckingbottom’s side hauled themselves level twice but Bradshaw’s late winner saw them suffer a second defeat in a week as Millwall climbed to fifth before Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs.
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The Sheffield United goalkeeper, Wes Foderingham, had to receive treatment after a first-minute collision with the Millwall captain Jake Cooper. He soldiered on and was soon called into action as Zian Flemming’s pass ran on to put Bradshaw through on goal, but Foderingham stood firm in saving with his legs.
In just the sixth minute, however, the home side were in front anyway as Oliver Burke, playing against one of his old clubs, found Bradshaw in space in the area and this time he rifled his shot in at the near post. The hosts almost doubled their lead after 14 minutes when Flemming went on a good run before finding Burke, whose shot was pushed behind by Foderingham.
The Blades were struggling to get going and were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when Foderingham felled Bradshaw in the area, only for the assistant to flag for offside, with replays suggesting the Millwall striker was onside. Sheffield United made the most of that let-off, drawing level in the 39th minute when Tommy Doyle’s free-kick found the bottom corner.
United began the second half far better than they had started the first and almost went ahead when Oli McBurnie’s pass put Daniel Jebbison through, but George Long made a vital save. Millwall regained the lead after 63 minutes when Flemming passed to Andreas Voglsammer on the left, who crossed for Bradshaw to head home.
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The Blades came close to hauling themselves level again eight minutes later when Chris Basham’s back-post header from Oliver Norwood’s header was kept out by Long, as was his follow-up. But a second leveller arrived with eight minutes left when substitute James McAtee, on loan from Manchester City, fired into the roof of the net from Jayden Bogle’s cut-back.
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Gary Rowett’s side refused to be denied, however, and they found a winner in the 88th minute. Voglsammer was the provider again, his superb low ball giving Bradshaw an open goal in which to complete his hat-trick.