Sheffield United 4-0 Stoke City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Sheffield United 4-0 Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday, 06 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Sheffield United beat Stoke City 4-0 in a dominant display at Bramall Lane. The Blades took an early lead when Mark McGuinness scored in the 10th minute, assisted by Gustavo Hamer, and they built on that with Femi Seriki finding the net in the 40th minute before Patrick Bamford added a third in the 44th, assisted by Seriki, to effectively kill the game before half-time. Coming into this on the back of four straight wins and a draw in their recent league outings, Sheffield United looked sharp and clinical, making the most of their chances despite Stoke holding more possession.

The second half saw Sheffield United manage the game well, with Sydie Peck converting a penalty in the 77th minute to round off the scoring. Stoke, who arrived after a mixed run including three losses in their last five league games, struggled to create meaningful opportunities and picked up yellow cards for Junior Tchamadeu in the 33rd minute and Ashley Phillips in the 75th. Substitutions like Tyler Bindon replacing the injured Mark McGuinness at half-time helped the hosts maintain control, while Stoke’s changes failed to spark a comeback.

Despite Stoke City enjoying 61% possession compared to Sheffield United’s 39%, the Blades were far more effective in attack, converting their opportunities into four goals while the visitors failed to score. Sheffield United edged the corner count at 9-7 and recorded two assists, highlighting their sharper final-third play, though Stoke led in successful dribbles with 50 to 44, suggesting they tried to break lines but lacked end product. Discipline saw Sheffield United pick up one yellow card against Stoke’s two, with no reds on either side, and both teams used all five substitutions, including Sheffield United bringing on Tyler Bindon for Mark McGuinness at 46 minutes and Stoke introducing Ashley Phillips for Tomas Rigo at the same time.

The stats underline a game where Sheffield United were ruthless on the counter, scoring from a penalty and avoiding injury-time drama, while Stoke’s higher possession didn’t translate into goals or assists.

Sheffield United struck first in the 10th minute as Mark McGuinness headed home from Gustavo Hamer’s assist, setting the tone for their control. Femi Seriki doubled the lead in the 40th minute with a well-taken finish, and Patrick Bamford made it 3-0 just before the break in the 44th, capitalising on Seriki’s assist to leave Stoke reeling. At half-time, both sides made changes, with Tyler Bindon replacing Mark McGuinness for the hosts and Ashley Phillips coming on for Tomas Rigo for the visitors.

The match was sealed in the 77th minute when Sydie Peck scored from the penalty spot, following further substitutions like Tom Cannon and Djibril Soumaré entering for Patrick Bamford and Jaïro Riedewald at 65 minutes. Stoke’s efforts were hampered by yellow cards to Junior Tchamadeu in the 33rd minute and Ashley Phillips in the 75th, but no major turning points like red cards shifted the momentum back their way.

Sheffield United lined up in a solid 4-4-2 formation, with Gustavo Hamer pulling strings in midfield and providing the assist for Mark McGuinness’s early goal, while Femi Seriki and Patrick Bamford formed a potent partnership up front, combining for goals and assists. Sydie Peck added threat from deeper areas, converting a crucial penalty, and changes like Callum O’Hare replacing Hamer at 72 minutes and Harrison Burrows coming on for Sam McCallum at 78 minutes helped maintain their shape.

Stoke City set out in a 4-2-3-1 shape, aiming to control midfield through players like Bosun Lawal, who was later replaced by Steven N’Zonzi at 84 minutes, but they lacked cutting edge despite efforts from Million Manhoef before Lamine Cissé came on for him at 71 minutes. Substitutes like Sam Gallagher replacing Sorba Thomas at 57 minutes and Róbert Boženík entering for Divin Mubama at 84 minutes tried to boost their attack, though yellow cards for Junior Tchamadeu and Ashley Phillips disrupted their rhythm.

Femi Seriki was Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match after a standout performance that included scoring one goal, providing one assist, creating one big chance, and delivering two key passes. His contributions were pivotal in breaking down Stoke’s defence, with his 40th-minute strike and assist for Patrick Bamford’s goal in the 44th minute proving decisive in Sheffield United’s comfortable victory.

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 4-0 vs Stoke City (H)
• Win: 3-2 vs Leicester City (A)
• Win: 3-0 vs Portsmouth (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Sheffield Wednesday (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Queens Park Rangers (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-4 vs Sheffield United (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Hull City (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Charlton Athletic (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Leicester City (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Coventry City (H)

Sheffield United have just beaten Stoke City 4-0, extending their strong recent form with four wins and a draw in their last five league games, sitting 18th on 22 points and looking to build momentum. Their next match is against Norwich City on 2025-12-09 at 19:45, with the opposition currently 23rd on 13 points, offering a chance to climb further away from the lower reaches of the table and potentially target mid-table security.

Stoke City have just lost 4-0 to Sheffield United, adding to a tough recent run with four losses in their last five league outings, leaving them sixth on 30 points and under pressure to respond. Their next fixture is against Ipswich Town on 2025-12-10 at 19:45, with the opponents fourth on 31 points, making it a key clash where a win could help them stay in the promotion mix or risk slipping down the standings.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.