LEEDS UTD: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey, Miller,Bakke (Moore 83), Derry, Douglas, Healy (Beckford 86),Hulse (Graham 76).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Pugh.
READING: Hahnemann, Murty (Gunnarsson 83), Sonko, Ingimarsson,Shorey, Oster (Hunt 64), Harper, Sidwell, Convey,Doyle (Long 78), Kitson.
Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin.
Att: 24,535
Reading substitute Stephen Hunt produced the goal that now makes Tuesday’s trip to Bramall Lane a none-event. Sheffield United’s promotion to the Premiership was confirmed after he cancelled out Rob Hulse’s 46th- minute opener.
Warnock’s men will now take their place in the top flight, and it should be interesting seeing who their idiot of a manager upsets first. Mixing with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex should be a culture shock to everyone.
But let’s face facts, despite that famous ‘wobble’, they held their nerve to complete promotion. We got to Everest, but the hardest part was not getting there … but staying there.
Blackwell had not seen his side score for 408 minutes until Hulse’s predatory strike shortly after the restart – but Hunt bundled home a late equaliser to leave Leeds winless in seven matches.
Blackwell admitted this week he considered quitting Elland Road after receiving hate mail from fans following the side’s loss of form in the race for automatic promotion.
The abuse from a minority of supporters has, according to reports, included threats of physical violence and the 47-year-old fears for the safety of his family, but fans soon began to chant his name.
At the start of the second half Derry found space down the left flank and produced a low cross which Hulse tucked away at the near post for his 13th goal of the season. The goal completely lifted the crowd but Reading continued to threaten and were rewarded with five minutes remaining when Hunt bundled home Ivar Ingimarsson’s header from Brynjar Gunnarsson’s cross.
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