'Bernardini, of all people, breaks Sheffield hearts'
The old boy Thomas Bernardini struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to sink Sheffield United 3-2 and leave the Blades staring into the drop.
The old boy did it. Deep into stoppage time, Thomas Bernardini — the forward who wore Sheffield United red for two seasons, 45 games, 11 goals — arrived at the far post and stabbed Rotherham's third past Rodrigo Abregú. Bramall Lane, so close to a point, fell silent.
He had left for Rotherham, and here he was breaking the hearts of the fans who once sang his name. Rotherham were the better side all afternoon, and deserved the win.
Rotherham's Fábio Pequeno opened the scoring on 18 minutes, but Camille Janssens levelled two minutes later. Rodrigues restored the lead on 57, and Víctor looked to have rescued a point with an 89th-minute equaliser. Then Bernardini struck.
Our preview asked whether Sheffield United could halt Rotherham's surge. They could not. The home side's tired legs told as the game wore on, and Rodrigues, the player of the match, tormented them throughout. Rotherham's makeshift defence, missing Daudé Verdonk and Marco Beretta, held firm enough. For Sheffield United, the worries deepen.