Sheffield United 3 Southampton 0: Pressure game suits Ifill

On the day that Reading confirmed their promotion to the Premiership, the only side who could keep pace with them for much of the season were in danger of exiting the top two for the first time since mid-August.

Sheffield United, who led the Championship for three months until November, had won only one of their previous eight games before Saturday's victory against Southampton. But a comfortable win on a day when no other team in the top half of the table could do the same has suddenly restored a six-point cushion.

So, given the circumstances, it is hardly stretching the point to say this was as good a day for the South Yorkshire club as it was for Reading. That was the view of their midfielder Paul Ifill. "It was the best we've played since Christmas," he said. "It's a funny game because until now there's been no pressure on the teams below us and they've been on good runs - but now there is and suddenly none of them have won."

Along with Michael Tonge, Ifill was instrumental in what turned out to be a formality of a win. Yet it hardly looked that way in the early stages when Southampton, in the shape of Kenwyne Jones, looked a real threat on the break.

But once Phil Jagielka had been set up by Tonge and Chris Armstrong for the opening goal two minutes before half-time, Southampton folded meekly. Ifill added a second two minutes later before Neil Shipperley completed United's perfect afternoon.

Goals: Jagielka (43) 1-0; Ifill (45) 2-0; Shipperley (77) 3-0.

Sheffield United (4-4-2): Kenny; Kozluk, Short, Morgan, Unsworth (Montgomery, 86); Ifill (Gillespie, 72), Tonge, Jagielka, Armstrong; Webber (Akinbiyi, 83), Shipperley. Substitutes not used: Dyer, Lucketti.

Southampton (4-4-2): Smith; Ostlund, Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Brennan; Kosowski (Blackstock, 46), Chaplow, Baird, Surman; Madsen (Dyer, 82), Jones. Substitutes not used: Miller (gk), Potter, Kenton.

Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire).

Booked: Southampton Madsen.

Man of the match: Tonge.

Attendance: 22,824.