How the Irish fared: David McGoldrick pounces as steely Blades cut down Preston

Goal number 13 for the season was far from unlucky for David McGoldrick as his first-half effort gave Sheffield United a 1-0 win at Preston on Saturday, a result that lifted the Blades back into the automatic promotion places in the Championship, after Leeds United lost 1-0 away to Birmingham City.

The goal came after 33 minutes when McGoldrick reacted smartly to tap in after international team-mate John Egan’s looping header had come back off the crossbar.