Carlton Morris scores hat-trick as Derby pile on the misery for Sheffield United

A brilliant Carlton Morris hat-trick earned Derby an impressive 3-1 win against struggling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

A header from a Joe Ward corner, a smart dinked finish and then a clinical penalty saw Morris take home the match ball and make it three wins on the bounce for the Rams.

Callum O’Hare pulled one back but it was too little, too late for United, who defended poorly and suffered yet another disappointing home defeat.

There were no clear chances in the early exchanges but Blades winger Chiedozie Ogbene was causing problems down the right-hand side.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 24th minute. Ward, making his first Championship start since December 2024, whipped an inch-perfect corner into the six-yard box and Morris rose highest to nod Derby in front and extend his scoring run.

Just a couple of minutes later, Derby came forward again and ex-Blades forward Ben Brereton Diaz saw his shot turned behind well by goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

Sheffield United almost equalised just before the interval but Matt Clarke made a perfectly-timed tackle to prevent O’Hare running through on goal.

The Rams made a dream start to the second half, going 2-0 ahead in a matter of seconds after the restart.

Sydie Peck presented the ball to Morris and he dashed down the inside right and lifted the ball over Cooper to get his second of the afternoon in the 46th minute.

Morris completed his hat-trick after 63 minutes when substitute Alex Matos was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. The striker stepped up and sent Cooper the wrong way to create some real daylight between the two sides.

O’Hare grabbed himself a consolation goal in the 73rd minute following a long throw-in; the Blades playmaker wriggling through a couple of challenges before crashing the ball past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and into the roof of the net.

Boos rang around Bramall Lane at the final whistle. Derby remain 17th, while Sheffield United stay in the relegation zone in 22nd.