THE YO-YO HAS FLOWED smoothly between the top two tiers of English football in recent years, but there are signs that the string is sticking. Sunderland may be doomed to an immediate return to the Championship, but Wigan Athletic and West Ham United are in the top half of the Barclays Premiership and it is almost certain that none of Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Southampton, the relegated trio, will gain automatic promotion.
Those last three clubs are well behind Sheffield United, who lie second, and this showing against Brighton & Hove Albion suggested that Neil Warnock’s team would also be far from no-hopers next season should they gain promotion. Reading look imperious, seven points clear at the top, and knocked West Bromwich Albion out of the FA Cup, so the financial benefits of playing in the elite may not have caused as big a gulf between the Premiership and the rest as is feared.
If United do go up, there should be no urgency to strengthen the centre of their midfield, where Phil Jagielka’s formidable presence is complemented by the skill and vision of Michael Tonge. The latter, who three years ago seemed to be close to joining Liverpool, was the man of the match, rounding off his display by sliding home the third goal.
Several experienced heads are holding United steady, with two players in their early 30s, David Unsworth and Neil Shipperley, being joined on Saturday by two 37-year-olds. Craig Short played in the top flight for Notts County 14 seasons ago, and Brian Deane, who was making his third “debut” for the club, began his first spell at Bramall Lane in the 1980s.
Jagielka’s half-volley gave United a lead that was doubled when Paul Ifill dispossessed Joel Lynch and chipped the ball inside the far post. All three goals thus came from midfield and the team’s versatility is emphasised by the fact that nine players have scored since Christmas.
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After unusually early exits from the cups, the team can concentrate on the league and securing the top-flight football that is impatiently awaited.
Brighton, who replied through a drive from Colin Kazim-Richards, were dogged and they will have far easier opponents than United as they seek to avoid relegation.