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Billy Sharp's goal was his first for the Blades since his double against Derby on 26 August

Sheffield United continued their fine start to the season by holding off a late Reading revival at Bramall Lane.

Paul Coutts' powerful left-foot shot gave them the lead and Billy Sharp tapped in his fifth goal of the season from Mark Duffy's cross to double it.

Roy Beerens' 20-yard shot, which flew just wide, was the only meaningful first-half effort by the visitors.

Substitute Paul McShane went close with a header before Beerens pulled one back for the Royals.

The win, United's fourth in five games, kept them third in the table, while Reading remain 20th.

Jaap Stam's side were hoping for a second Yorkshire success following a 1-0 victory at Leeds seven days earlier, but it was the Blades who carried the early threat, with Jack O'Connell an aerial danger at set-pieces.

He forced a good save from Vito Mannone, before the goals by Coutts and Sharp put the home side in firm control.

Reading did not manage a shot on target in the first 45 minutes, and although they looked livelier following Stam's half-time team talk, Beerens' goal, from Modou Barrow's centre, proved to be only a consolation.

Leon Clarke could have restored United's two-goal margin in stoppage time, but Mannone blocked the striker's angled effort.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder:

"The first-half performance was up there with one of the best that we've produced all season.

"I thought they were only in the game for the last 10 minutes and a little bit at the death, with what the referee put on.

"The key is that you see it out. We want to get up the pitch, but sometimes you can't and you do get pushed back. It's important that you stay solid and tight as a unit, which we did.

"We know there is a hell of a long way to go. We're delighted and we're enjoying the ride."

Reading manager Jaap Stam:

"We knew that we were going to be facing a good team and a team in form, playing in a certain way, with a lot of movement if you give them time.

"If you don't do anything about that, they get into their rhythm and they can make it difficult for you. That is what happened, especially in the first half.

"We really need to improve a lot to perform better. I'm not concerned because there's a long way to go and a lot of games to play. In this league, anything can happen."