Jagielka, 40, scores as Stoke beat leaders Blades

Former Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka helped Stoke City consign the Championship leaders to a second successive loss.

Jagielka then headed home from a corner in time added on at the end of the first half for his first goal since April 2019.

The Potters, who had been winless in three, wrapped up the victory in the final minute when Liam Delap tapped in from close range from Tyrese Campbell’s centre.

Paul Heckingbottom’s men remained top of the table after Norwich fell to a surprise 3-2 home reverse by Preston but are now only clear of the Canaries and third-placed QPR on goal difference.

There could easily have been more goals in a very exciting first half, with both teams looking threatening every time they went forward.

Potters midfielder Tariqe Fosu saw a powerful shot come back off the crossbar from distance and Iliman Ndiaye’s quality low effort struck the post for the visitors when the scores were tied at 1-1.

Jagielka, who had two spells with the Blades, became the first 40-year-old to score in the Championship since Kevin Phillips in 2014 when he powered in a header from Lewis Baker’s corner to send the home side in ahead at the break.

Alex Neil’s side had the better of the second half but Blades keeper Wes Foderingham produced fine saves from Fosu and Campbell to keep the away side in the game.

However, Manchester City loanee Delap, the son of former Stoke and Republic of Ireland midfielder Rory, wrapped up the win right at the end with his first goal for the club.

Sheffield United will look to get back on track when they host Blackpool next Saturday, while the Potters travel to Neil’s former side Preston on the same day.

Stoke City boss Alex Neil told BBC Radio Stoke:

“I thought it was a great performance from the lads.

“Jagielka has been incredible in the past two games. He showed his experience and quality and why he’s played at the level he has.

“If I could have written down how the game could have gone today it probably wouldn’t have been far off that.

“I spoke about how the players needed to show the passion, desire and willingness to win and the fans would back them but it’s only one game.”

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Sheffield:

“We knew we’d be a little bit open because of the players we had out. It was a bit of a basketball match in the first half.

“We didn’t have the biggest team today but it’s still disappointing to concede from set plays.

“We didn’t get the control to get up the pitch because when we got it forward it kept coming back.

“The injuries meant we had to change everything about our set-up. Today we battled and it was good in moments but we came here to win.”