A dominant second-half performance and a hat-trick from Ched Evans helped high-flying Sheffield United to a 4-1 win over struggling Chesterfield this evening.
Both sides started slowly in what proved to be a scrappy opening twenty minutes. Neither capitalised from the other's indiscipline despite multiple free kicks at both ends of Bramall Lane.
Matthew Lowton had a chance to break the deadlock for United at 36 minutes, forcing a save from Tommy Lee, only to see Stephen Quinn's follow-up fly over the bar.
At the other end, Chesterfield piled on the pressure at the half-hour mark. A shot by Westcarr struck Lowton on its way behind, and Josh Thompson tested keeper Steve Simonsen from the resulting corner.
United took the lead on 38 minutes when Lee Williamson drove the ball home from Evans's pass, but their advantage didn't last long. Chesterfield responded six minutes later when Frank Moussa powered an equaliser into top corner from outside the area.
The second-half was only four minutes old when the home side went back in front. Noel Alexandre Mendy was adjudged to have fouled Evans in the area, and the striker stepped up to power home from the spot.
Evans was the Sheffield outfit's biggest threat throughout, and he helped himself to his second and United's third on the hour mark, finding the bottom corner of the net from Lee Williamson's free-kick.
The Welsh striker completed his hat-trick just three minutes later, blasting into the top corner for the goal of the evening. He was greeted with a standing ovation from the home support when he was replaced with James Beattie at 78 minutes.
The win puts United into second place in League One, and leaves Chesterfield rooted to the foot of the table.
Mark Langshaw
