It turned out to be an easy ride past giant-killing Reading this evening, but it could have all been different if it wasn't for an unstoppable Mark Bunn between the sticks. The Blades may have eased to yet another three points on home soil, but much to the credit of their shot-stopper Mark Bunn, who pulled off some sensational saves, predominantly in the first-half, including a penalty save from Anfield spot-kick hero Gylfi Sigurdsson. Before his heroics, United went ahead with Jonathan Fortune, who showed a striker's touch and finish to scissor-kick past Adam Federici. Richard Cresswell's unmissable header made it two, three minutes before the interval, and then Chris Morgan was given the nod ahead of Jamie Ward for United's final goal of their rout with 10 minutes left.
The Cup at the weekend allowed the manager to ring the changes throughout the team, with Evans, Cresswell and Ward all not starting, but he opted to start the trio for this evening's fixture against United's former bogey team. The triple offensive changes saw Henderson, Camara and Williamson drop to the bench. Jonathan Fortune was OK to play 90 minutes, despite being rigorously tested by Bolton at the weekend and him struggling for full fitness. New signing Mark Yeates had to be content with a place on the bench.
A bombardment from the Blades meant Federici had to be wary. Ched Evans had two belters blocked - one from a free-kick and one which Mills put his body in the way of. Cresswell should have done better but regrettably headed over, and then Ward turned and got his shot away but the 'keeper was equal to it and turned it round the post.
Now, this is where a striker would be chuffed to pieces if he pulled it off, never minds an unfit centre-half who has seen minimal league action. Jonathan Fortune latched on to Nick Montgomery's hopeful ball back into the box; the defender neatly controlled with his thigh and superbly volleyed past the goalkeeper to make it 1:0 Blades.
The Royals were on the attack immediately after the restart, McAnuff's drill took a little nick off a player but Bunn impressively got his hand to it. The on loan Blackburn 'keeper then got in the home fans' good books even more with a great save from Ingimarsson's nod down - Bunn forced the ball round the post at a pacey speed.
Chris Morgan, who renewed his contract at the Lane last week, clumsily clipped Long in the area leaving the referee no other decision than to give a spot-kick. With the home faithful trying their best to put him off, Gylfi Sigurdsson, the cocky penalty taker at Liverpool in the FA Cup a couple of weeks ago, placed his penalty towards Bunn's bottom-left-hand-corner but the Blades 'keeper comfortably got a hand to it and saved his second penalty at Bramall Lane.
Reading new it wasn't going to be their night when Kyle Walker made a positive run down the right-wing, and actually got a decent shot off which Federici saved, only for the ball to pop straight up to Richard Cresswell, who wasn't going to miss with his head from a few yards. Mark Bunn, United's penalty-stopper, looked up to the heavens, kissed his glove and pressed it against the Blades badge on his lime jersey.
Half-time wasn't far away, and Bunn could walk off that pitch proud as punch. The goalkeeper certainly atoned for a dodgy display at the Reebok on Saturday. Jordan Stewart came on for Taylor, and Brian Howard made a return to the Lane - he came of for the Berkshire men.
Bunn was at it again, preventing Reading from scoring, this time he saved with his legs after Shane Long had a glorious opportunity to pull one back. Brian Howard went down twice clutching his ankle after two hefty challenges, first from Harper, and then from Quinn. The duo were both booked, but the Reading midfield man miraculously made a quick recovery as soon as the two Blades players were cautions.
James Harper scuffed wide against his former employers, but then the third goal arrived after Henderson swapped with Evans. Ward's header across goal eluded the hand of Federici and the ball was possibly heading for the back of the net, but Chris Morgan made sure and turned the ball over the line for his second goal in front of the Kop this season.
New signing Mark Yeates was introduced with barley time left, and the Blades, in the end, brushed aside a poor Reading side, who perhaps need to be more clinical in front of goals. SIX CONSECTUTIVE CLEAN SHEETS IN A ROW isn't bad at all, and praise goes out to Mark Bunn for such a memorable display. His penalty save proved to be the turning point in the game. With West Brom up next, the Blades rearguard must be on their toes. The final score from Bramall Lane, is, Sheffield United 3:0 Reading.