Southend United 2 Sheffield United 4: Blades too powerful for Roots Hall hosts

The hosts, unbeaten in their previous 10 games, were breached four times through goals from Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Jack O’Connell, Caolan Lavery and Kieron Freeman.

The result means Chris Wilder’s side are now four points clear of second-placed Scunthorpe.

However, a cloud was cast over the day with new signing Samir Carruthers being forced off with an injury on debut.

Former Hull City manager Phil Brown’s side had triumphed 3-0 at Bramall Lane in August, but found their opponents a completely different proposition. On-loan Ebanks-Landell continues to impress at the heart of United’s defence, and the Wolves man also made an impression in attack.

He met Mark Duffy’s cross in the third minute to guide a header across Ted Smith and into the far corner of the net, but by the 19th minute Cox had levelled.

United went back ahead on 42 minutes. Anton Ferdinand’s foul on Lavery produced a free-kick and when Southend failed to clear their lines, O’Connell turned the ball home.

Lavery made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute before providing an assist for Freeman, four minutes later, to emphasise the visitors’ superiority.

It was his third goal in as many matches although Southend substitute Jermaine McGlashan had the final word with a late consolation goal.

Southend United: Smith, Demetriou, Thompson, Ferdinand, Timlin, Atkinson (Hones 72), Leonard, Wordsworth, Fortune (McGlashan 60), Cox, Ranger. Unused substitutes: White, O’Neill, Bridge, Kyprianou, Bexon.

Sheffield United: Moore, Fleck, O’Connell, Basham, Lavery, Sharp, Coutts, Freeman, Ebanks-Landell, Duffy (Carruthers 68) (Scougall 82), Lafferty (Done 56). Unused substitutes: McNulty, Ramsdale, Wright, Clarke.

Referee: A Davies (Hampshire).